Off-leash dog park update, two new eateries, property values by neighborhood, and more

Greetings! Here’s city-related news for residents of Ward 1 and beyond. 

Local elections this fall: Our November local election is just over six months away; on the ballot are all four ward-specific city council seats and three of seven school board seats. Being an elected official is challenging and rewarding work, and we need caring people willing to share their time and talents in this way. The city has helpful resources for people interested in learning more about becoming a candidate; find them here. The candidate filing period is July 9-August 12 and Election Day is November 4.
 
Host a gathering, shape our community: If running for office isn’t your cup of tea, here’s a much lower-bar opportunity to make a difference. The city is inviting people from across the community to attend a free, 90-minute trainingin early May, then host one or more conversations with friends, neighbors, colleagues, or others over the next few months. The purpose of these conversations will be to gather community input that will inform the city’s strategic priorities for the next ten years. Please consider attending one of these trainings and hosting a backyard BBQ, neighborhood meeting, congregational gathering, or other meetup to talk with others about what you value about SLP and what you’d like to see prioritized in the future. Trainings are May 1 and May 8 – learn more here and register here. If you can’t attend, a recording of the training will be available. Learn more about the visioning process currently underway and sign up for updates here. 
 
Air traffic update: The MSP airport runway maintenance project that began last spring has started up again, increasing air traffic over the central and northern parts of the city (including Ward 1) this construction season. Last year, Ward 1 enjoyed noise relief while the southern runway was improved; now it’s our turn to endure more noise while the northern runway undergoes maintenance. Air traffic will return to normal patterns in October. 
 
City proclamations: Council recently recognized National Therapy Animal Day by reading a proclamation in Council Chambers, made even better by the presence of two sweet therapy dogs. Other recent proclamations have recognized Holocaust Remembrance Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Bike Month, and other groups and causes. I’m proud of how our community lifts up people and causes in this way – and includes resources on our city website for residents to learn more. Here’s a link to proclamations made so far in 2025 and accompanying resources (item 2 on the dropdown menu) along with information on how residents can request a proclamation.  
 
Overnight train noise, upcoming study: Residents have reached out in recent months about the jarring new experience of trains blowing their horns loud and long as they travel through the city in the middle of the night. The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway recently changed its daytime route to nighttime (“to best meet customer and operational needs”), and federal safety regulations require blowing horns at certain crossings no matter what time of day or night. Last month, council directed staff and a consulting firm to explore the feasibility of requesting a Whistle Quiet Zone (WQZ) from the railroad. The study will cost an estimated $65,000 and identify needed infrastructure improvements prior to requesting a WQZ. 
 
Sidewalk poetry contest deadline May 11: I just love coming across a poem on the sidewalk, don’t you? Even cooler if it’s a poem you or someone you know wrote! The city is currently inviting submissions for the next round of sidewalk poetry, with a May 11 deadline. Get your nine lines (or less) etched in concrete for all time! Find information on how to submit a poem for consideration here and find a map of current sidewalk poems (and other public art) here.
 
Minor damage at Rock Island: There was surprise and disappointment earlier this month when a small group of young people was seen using chisels to chip away at the historic stone structures at Rock Island. The good news is damage appears to be minimal, and the kids (very young) have been helped by their parents to understand their mistake. I’m grateful for the community members who have dedicated their time and energy to beautifying this unique and historic parcel and look forward to seeing the area come into bloom this spring and summer. 
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Helping neighborhoods get organized: I can’t say enough about the value of a strong and inclusive neighborhood association in creating safe, connected communities. Currently, fewer than 20 of the city’s 35 neighborhoods are formally organized and receive city funding and support. Recent changes to the city’s neighborhood revitalization program are designed to reduce barriers to getting organized and funded and promote equity across our city’s socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods. Learn more about the city’s support for neighborhoods, including how you can help your own neighborhood get organized, here.  
 
Off-leash dog parks update: Council and the community have been hankering for another off-leash dog park in the city (currently we have two – Dakota Park and Cedar Knoll Park). As a step toward this possibility, members of our city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission recently proposed updated criteria for new off-leash dog parks, including minimum size (.5 acre, down from 1 acre previously), parking, accessibility, and other characteristics. Lamplighter, Twin Lakes, Louisiana Oaks, and Aquila Park were all measured against these criteria as potential locations for a new dog park; none met the criteria. Staff and council will continue to explore locations where an off-leash dog park could be built in the future using these guidelines.
 
ROC acoustics: A while back I asked folks to share their impressions of sound quality at the ROC – all who wrote in agreed the acoustics can be quite problematic. City staff recently investigated options for improving the acoustics, and ultimately determined that a potential solution would be both cost-prohibitive and not guaranteed to work. In other words, it is what it is. Going forward, staff will educate users of the facility on how to use the audio system to mitigate echo as much as possible, and be clear about audio quality limitations prior to renting out the space. 
 
Aquatic Park upgrades: Despite being nearly 30 years old, the SLP Aquatic Park is holding up well thanks to regular skilled maintenance by city staff. Over the next several years, staff and council will discuss possible replacement of the Aquatic Park, estimated to cost $20 million. For now, modest upgrades to extend the life of the facility are planned to include expansion of the showers and restrooms, waterslide and concession stand upgrades, and other improvements, at a total cost of about $2.6 million in 2026. 
 
New restaurants in town: Lago Tacos, offering a modern spin on tacos and margaritas, has opened in the old McCoy’s space at 5801 Grand Way. The space reportedly has a large game/arcade area for kids. Marathon Breakfast Deli is a new place to buy breakfast/brunch foods located inside the Marathon Gas Station at 5600 W Lake St. 
 
New taproom too: Haggard Barrel Brewing has opened their taproom at 6413 Cambridge Street, in the area colloquially referred to as Skunk Hollow. The intimate, 20-seat taproom offers small batch lagers and barrel aged stouts. 
 
Residential property valuation changes: Every year our assessing staff share a detailed market value overview of residential and commercial property in the city. Curious about your area or property, if you own your home? Check out these interactive maps with data for tax year 2025: 
Median single-family home value by neighborhood
Median value for condos & townhomes
Single-family home sales
 
Rental ordinance changes: Starting this fall, qualifying property owners in SLP who are providing non-owner occupied housing to a family member (e.g., college-age children, a disabled adult family member, parents passing the title to children during estate planning) will no longer need to complete rental licensing training, undergo inspections, and pay an annual licensing fee. Thanks to a Ward 1 resident who elevated this issue (which currently impacts about 60 property owners citywide) and led to council action. The ordinance change will take effect in October. 
 
Here’s a select list of upcoming events in our community: 
 
Electric Vehicle & E-Bike Petting Zoo, Friday, May 2, 5-6:30, Aquila Park (in the parking lot near the tennis courts). Hosted by the City of St. Louis Park’s Sustainability Division. Check out various EVs and e-bikes, talk to EV drivers, learn about charging and more. Info here. 
 
Pre-Arbor Day Artmaking, Monday, April 28 and/or Thursday, May 1, 5-8 pm, Browndale Park Shelter. Create an artistic tree-globe from paper mâché and natural materials to carry and display as you celebrate Arbor Day on May 10 (see below). Registration encouraged but not required. April 28 registration here; May 1 here. 
 
Friends of the Arts Poetry Jam, Sunday, May 4, 3 pm, Canvas Convergence in the West End. Family friendly; all poets and poetry-lovers in the community are invited. Come read and enjoy original poems, or your favorite poems by others. Info here. 
 
Arbor Day Celebration, Saturday, May 10, 9am-12pm, Browndale Park. Games, art projects, obstacle course, tree experts, book sale, and more. Info here.

Walk the Park, Saturday, May 10 and every second Saturday of the month, 9:30-10:30 am. Meet up with other community members for a 1- to 2-mile leisure walk to explore parts of the St. Louis Park trail system. All are welcome! Info on monthly meetup spots here. 
Gardening swap, Tuesday, May 13, 5-7 pm, the ROC. Clear out gardening tools you no longer use and take home new-to-you houseplants, pots, tools and more. Info here. MNmicro Film Festival, Thursday, May 14, Marcus West End Cinema. The fourth and final event in this series will feature films with empowering stories of Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Info here.
 
Community bike events, Friday, May 16. The city will host a commuter “pit stop” on Bike to Work Day from 6:30-9 am on the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail near Dakota Park. At 4 pm, join the Wheelie Fun community bike ride starting at Aquila Park playground, traveling along the North Cedar Lake Trail and ending at Dakota Park (1.8 miles).
 
STEP Gala, Thursday, May 22, 6 pm, Metropolitan Ballroom, Golden Valley. Celebrate the St. Louis Park Emergency Program’s 50 years of service to our community while contributing funds to continue their work. Info here.

Thanks for reading and please stay in touch! 
Margaret