Bicyclists, walkers celebrate at Minneapolis Bike Walk to Work Day

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Commuters who bike and walk, and other people interested in biking and walking, stopped by the Minneapolis Bike Walk to Work Day celebration at the Hennepin County Government Center plaza Thursday morning. There were speeches, demonstrations, things to eat and coffee to drink, and information at tables around the fountain.The event was sponsored by Hennepin County, the city of Minneapolis, the Current, One on One Bicycle Studio, and Commuter Connection. Continue Reading

Commuter Pit Stops welcome walkers and bikers to Bike Walk Week

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This week is Bike Walk Week in the Twin Cities, and to help encourage people to bike and walk for their commute, Pit Stops have been set up in several locations in the Twin Cities. Volunteers from the community and from local bike shops are there Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm to help people with biking and walking tips, some lights and other giveaways, and bike repairs. We visited four stations on Monday morning and talked with volunteers about why they bike and walk. For more information about Bike Walk Week, visit bikewalkweek.org.Reporting for this article supported in part by Bush Foundation. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Neighborhoods USA conference ends with Minnehaha Park party and performances

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The 38th Annual Neighborhoods USA Conference, featuring neighborhoods organizers and community leaders from around the world, wrapped up with events at Minnehaha Park and at the conference headquarters downtown. The conference was organized by several community partners which included the City of Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations Department, Nexus Community Partners, Citizens for a Loring Park Community, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Neighborhoods USA conference features national leaders and local tours

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Over 600 community leaders from around the world are gathered in Minneapolis for the 38th annual Neighborhoods USA Conference. The conference several keynote speakers, among them Majora Carter of Sustainable South Bronx, and Peter Kagayama, author of “For the Love of Cities.” The conference also featured 12 neighborhoods tours that highlighted area projects and organizations. Several conference attendees worked with local video producers John Akre and Beth Peloff to record their conference experiences on their phones.  Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Youth Leaders meet with keynote speaker and community mentors at Neighborhoods USA Conference

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Youth from the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board’s Youth Congress and the Minneapolis Public School’s District-wide Council met with community leaders and Keynote Speaker Major Carter of Sustainable South Bronx during the 2013 Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference in Minneapolis. Over 600 people from around the world who work or volunteer with community organizations are attending the four day annual conference to share ideas and meet each other.

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COMMUNITY VOICES | Community leaders converge for Neighborhoods USA Conference

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The annual conference of Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) is being held at the Hyatt in Minneapolis. Over 600 community and neighborhood leaders from around the world have gathered to share ideas and learn from each other.The conference opening night event took place at Nicollet Island. The next morning, John McKnight of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute, spoke.Several conference attendees attended a pre-conference workshop on “Documenting Neighborhoods,” and were shown how to use their smart phones to document their conference experience. This piece uses their video and video shot and edited by John Akre and Beth Peloff.For more reports from the Neighborhoods USA Conference, bookmark this page and keep checking back through Monday!Reports from the Neighborhoods USA Conference:COMMUNITY VOICES | Youth Leaders meet with keynote speaker and community mentors at Neighborhoods USA ConferenceCOMMUNITY VOICES | Neighborhoods USA conference features national leaders and local tours COMMUNITY VOICES | Neighborhoods USA conference ends with Minnehaha Park party and performances Continue Reading

MN VIDEOS | Summit Hill Neighborhoods construct mandala-shaped community garden

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Between fifty and sixty community volunteers showed up on a cloudy Saturday morning to construct a mandala-shaped community garden in St. Paul’s Summit Hill Neighborhood. The garden is located on park land and the goal of the garden’s founders is to “empower people through organic gardening to inspire greater self-sufficiency, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.”The garden project was started by the Summit Hill Association’s Environment Committee, which has been developing plans for a community garden for several years.Here’s a look at the Community Garden Installation event on Saturday, May 4. Continue Reading

Soul of University: Walkability workshop focuses on St. Paul’s Frogtown, Summit-University neighborhoods

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Placemaking Expert Dr. Katherine Loflin led a Walkability Workshop in St. Paul’s Little Mekong neighborhood through a light drizzle on May 8. Loflin is the lead consultant on the “Soul of the Community,” an investigation on why people love the places they live. Her appearance at the workshop was part of the 2nd Annual Placemaking Residency, and was presented by the District Councils Collaborative and Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation.In this video of the walk around the University/Western Green Line Light Rail station, Loflin speaks about the community’s assets, and how the small touches residents place in their environments signal the community’s hidden strengths. Related stories:• Soul of University: Walkability workshop focuses on St. Paul’s Frogtown, Summit-University neighborhoods• What’s up at Western and Dale? Continue Reading