Editor’s note: Walk the Talk is Streets.mn’s carefully curated, highly partisan collection of both serious and fun-loving events, community meetings and opportunities for engagement that we think will interest our readers. Email your ideas to Hawken Habig, one of our daily editors, at hawkenhabig@gmail.com.
Doors Open Minneapolis — Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14
After an initial run in 2019 and a subsequent pandemic-induced three-year hiatus, Doors Open Minneapolis will return for the 2023 season. During Doors Open, more than 100 buildings across Minneapolis will open to the public for behind-the-scenes tours — including a large lineup of city facilities, churches, museums, theaters and more. Highlights (for the Streets.mn community) include the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, the Minneapolis Traffic Management Center and Minneapolis’ Public Services Building. More information about the weekend, including a full list of participating locations and their operating hours, can be found here.
St. Paul Bicycle Plan Public Feedback
St. Paul recently released a draft of its Bicycle Plan, which is a comprehensive document detailing the future of the city’s bike network, including where new bikeways should be implemented. The city is seeking public feedback on the plan (available in full here) through a survey and an online interactive map, open until June 30. Let the team know your suggestions, criticisms or support for the city’s vision. (Public engagement sessions, yet to be announced, are planned for later this year.)
WTS MN Cedar Lake-Lake of the Isles Trail Walk — Monday, May 22, 4-5:30 p.m.
With the Cedar Lake-Lake of the Isles Master Plan set to be finalized later this year, WTS Minnesota is partnering with Emma Pachuta of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to guide an informational walking tour highlighting the development of the project. Beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 22, the walk will be roughly one mile in length, starting and ending at the Kenwood Park playground, where snacks and refreshments will be available. Registration is required — you can do so here!
Minnesota Transportation Conference and Expo — Monday-Wednesday, May 15-17
Transportation planning professionals and enthusiasts will be gathering from across the state this May at Saint Paul RiverCentre for the Minnesota Transportation Conference & Expo. The three-day event features a multitude of presentations, panels and exhibits on local transportation issues. A detailed agenda, along with other event information, is available here — note that registration is required, with heavily discounted prices for students and public sector officials.
Active Living Ramsey Communities Walking and Biking Team Meeting — Thursday, May 11, 6-8 p.m.
Active Living Ramsey Communities, an initiative focused on promoting physically active environments, is hosting the Biking and Walking Team Meeting featuring University of Minnesota Professor Yingling Fan and students from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Hosted on Thursday, May 11 at 6 p.m. over Zoom, the conversation will feature demonstrations of how our transportation systems affect real personal experiences. The event will provide valuable insight into how transportation planning decisions impact communities. Registration for the event is available here!