June 15 Meeting Recap

Thank you to everyone who attended our first outdoor meeting this week at Armatage Park!  Project Designer Francisca Pass gave an update on the Armatage Playground construction, which hit a couple delays and should now wrap up at the end of July. The ANA Board voted to spend $27,645.21 of its Park Improvement funds to cover the funding gap for the playground so it can be completed this summer. This donation from the neighborhood will go toward two more shade canopies and an accessible seesaw.

The Board also approved an amended budget for its 2021 Community Participation Program funding from the City of Minneapolis, discussed its upcoming application for the City’s new Equitable Engagement Fund, and approved $250 for live music at our upcoming Aug 14 Summer Food Truck Night.

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Thank You, Rachel!

A huge thank you to our outgoing Accountant (and Armatage neighbor!), Rachel Ireland-Henry! We are very grateful for Rachel’s years of service with the ANA and wish her all the best in her new adventures!  If you see her around the neighborhood, please tell her thank you!

The ANA is in the midst of a search for a new contract Accountant and will share a position description with the neighborhood soon. Email us at anacoordinator@armatage.org with questions.

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Events to Commemorate Juneteenth

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board will host outdoor movies, discussions, music and family activities scheduled. Learn more at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/events/juneteenth/

Hennepin County Library also has a great line-up of online events and videos at https://www.hclib.org/Juneteenth

History of Juneteenth

Thank you to Hennepin County Library for the following history of Juneteenth, which is now a new City holiday in Minneapolis!

Juneteenth is said to be the oldest African American celebration of emancipation from slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, but news of emancipation moved slowly. For the next 2½ years, enslaved Africans and Black abolitionists persevered in the struggle for freedom.

In Texas, formerly enslaved Africans celebrated their emancipation on June 19, 1865, and since then, Juneteenth has been remembered and celebrated as a holiday. From the late nineteenth century through today, typical Juneteenth celebrations across the country include parades, speeches by African American community leaders, singing of traditional songs such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and dancing.

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All Are Welcome Here Lawn Signs

Get your All Are Welcome Here lawn sign and proudly display to spread the message that ALL are Welcome in Armatage. The ANA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so your donation is tax deductible and eligible for employer matching contributions.

Signs + stakes are $20 each. Order online at armatage.org/allarewelcomehere/ and, if you’re in the neighborhood, we’ll deliver your sign to your front yard. You can also find us at an upcoming in-person sale date at Armatage Park (weather permitting):

• Saturday, June 19 from 10:00-11:00am
• Saturday, July 10 from 10:00-11:00am at our Safety Equity & Outreach meeting
• Tuesday, July 20 from 6:00-8:00pm at our Monthly Meeting

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Affordable Camps through Minneapolis Parks

Sign up your child ages 7-14 for Olympics Celebration, Summer Survivor or Sports Sampler camps beginning Monday, June 21

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is excited to offer new Neighborhood Day Camps this summer! Themed, all-day, weeklong camps are available throughout the summer for the low cost of $10 per child.

Visit bit.ly/NMplsDayCamps to learn more and sign up!

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Free Hennepin County Food Waste Prevention Webinars

You’re invited to an upcoming webinar to help you learn how to make the most of their food with tips and tricks for shopping, storing, and cooking.

This webinar is part of Hennepin County’s goal to raise awareness of how much food is wasted and help our residents with saving money, setting a good example, and having a positive impact on the planet.  The webinars are about an hour long with time for questions. They are free of charge, but registration is required. The registration link is here and you have three options to attend:

• Wednesday, June 23rd from 7-8 p.m.
• Thursday June 24th from noon-1 p.m.
• Friday June 25th from noon-1 p.m.

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Armatage Playground Construction Update

Construction has begun and things are sure looking different at Armatage Park! The new estimate is that the play area should be completed and ready for use near the end of July. Sign up for project updates at bit.ly/armatagepark and we will plan to hold a community celebration in August!

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Cycle the Summer in Minneapolis Parks

Minneapolis Parks is hosting a series of smaller, bike-focused events throughout the summer for people of all ages, backgrounds and riding abilities to get on a bike! Learn more about the Cycle the Summer series and sign up for Cycling 101 youth events (August 25 will be at Armatage Park!) at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/events/cycle_the_summer/ 

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Armatage Safety Rebates

Did you know that the ANA offers $100 per household per calendar year to each Armatage household (both renters and homeowners) for security enhancements including items such as doorbell camera systems?

Learn more and apply for a rebate at armatage.org/security-rebate-program-for-residents/