The New Hope City Council has designated May 4-10, 2025, as Shingle Creek Watershed Cleanup Week.

Water runoff from the northern half of New Hope contributes to the watershed that flows into Shingle Creek. As a community, we are one of the cities jointly managing the lakes, streams and wetlands within this watershed. Our actions significantly impact the preservation and protection of the water resources in our area.

The City invites community members to participate in cleanup activities scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, at Meadow Lake Park, located at 8400 E. Meadow Lake Road. Volunteers from the community, along with elected officials and city staff, will come together to clean up the park and address the issue of invasive species. Previous efforts have included debris removal from Bass Creek in the northwest section of New Hope, as well as planting trees and shrubs, cleaning up shorelines, and litter removal. In addition to general cleanup, volunteers will assist with landscaping and plantings. Participants are encouraged to wear gloves and boots and to arrive at Meadow Lake Park by 5 p.m.

Community members can also help protect the City's watersheds by taking the following actions:

• Keep streets clear of leaves and grass clippings. Never blow yard waste into the street or gutter; clean up accidental clippings. Clippings are carried from streets into lakes and streams, and the nutrients they contain can be harmful.
• Clean up after your pet. Always dispose of pet waste properly. Besides potentially harming people, pets and wildlife, the bacteria in pet waste can wash into water sources when it rains. Additionally, pet waste contributes to harmful algae blooms.
• Properly dispose of hazardous materials. Never use storm drains to discard harmful substances, and never flush hazardous waste or pour it down drains, onto the ground or into storm sewers. Such actions can contaminate the soil and groundwater. Hazardous waste includes items like motor oil, pesticides, paint, household cleaners and medication. The Hennepin County Drop-Off Facility in Brooklyn Park accepts many types of hazardous waste for disposal. For more details, including hours and directions, please call 612.348.3777.
• Use lawn and garden chemicals carefully. When possible, limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Many contain harmful chemicals that easily travel through the soil, contaminating stormwater. When using lawn and garden chemicals of any kind, always follow the directions on the product label. Misusing pesticides/herbicides may cause environmental harm, and their use is often unnecessary. Consider environmentally healthy options and adjust your tolerance to a fair number of weeds in your yard when possible.
• Adopt a storm drain. Storm drains easily carry leaves, grass clippings and litter into the nearest water body. It clogs stormwater infrastructure, contributing to street flooding and water pollution. It also harms wildlife. Residents can adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and volunteer 15 minutes twice a month to help keep waterways clean. Learn more at adopt-a-drain.org.

Learn more about the Shingle Creek Watershed at shinglecreek.org.