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.
Livable Lyndale — Thursday, August 24, 4–6 p.m.
Minneapolis neighbors and Move Minnesota are working together to realize a vision for a safer, more accessible and more livable Lyndale Avenue South when the county reconstructs it in 2026. Get involved and make your voice heard! Join the Livable Lyndale team at the first Hennepin County Open House — this one at the Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., from 4–6 p.m. — to learn more about the project and show your support. Refreshments at Fire & Nice Alehouse afterward. RSVP here.
Minneapolis Police Policy Engagement Sessions
In light of continued controversy over law enforcement practices, Minneapolis is reaching out to residents through several community engagement sessions to discuss Police Department policies, including ongoing reforms and the status of community policing in the city. Sessions are scheduled through September 6 and will be hosted at locations throughout the city; detailed information on times and locations may be found here. Consider reviewing current police policies on the city’s website, where you can also provide detailed feedback on specific policies.
Weigh In on Blue Line Extension Routing
Project planners for the METRO Blue Line Extension are in the process of finalizing the rail’s route through parts of North Minneapolis. Planners are deciding between routes along Lyndale Avenue, the I-94 corridor or 10th and Washington Avenues — with the potential for a transit mall for the latter option. Also up for consideration is a choice between light rail on 21st Avenue or West Broadway Avenue east of James Avenue. West Broadway is also being considered for significant retrofitting in spite of the routing options, including improved bike and pedestrian facilities. More information on the current options may be found through this document or on the project’s webpage; fill out the survey here!
Open Streets Cedar-Riverside — Sunday, August 20, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
The third installment of this year’s Open Streets series continues on Sunday, August 20 in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Hosted by transportation advocacy group Our Streets Minneapolis, Open Streets provides an opportunity for the community to gather in a street closed to vehicular traffic, making way for bikers, pedestrians and a plethora of vendors and other assorted harbingers of merriment. A map of vendors and activities, in addition to stage lineups, may be found here!
MN350 Summer Picnic & Fundraiser — Postponed till September!
MN350, an environmental organization focused on fighting pollution and climate change by advocating for policies to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is hosting a summer picnic and fundraiser at Phalen Park in St. Paul on Thursday, August 31. (Note: MN350 announced on August 19 that it’s postponing this event). The get-together presents an opportunity to connect with organization members and help forward the MN350 mission. Find more information on the event here (where you can also sign up to volunteer), and visit MN350’s website to learn more about the cause and stay up to date on opportunities for engagement.
Photo at top courtesy of Chad Davis on Flickr.