7th Annual Minnehaha Creek Cleanup Planned June 30th in Minneapolis

Volunteers of all ages are invited to help clean up Minnehaha Creek at a free, family-friendly event on Sunday, June 30 in Minneapolis. The 7th annual Minnehaha Creek Cleanup from 9am-noon at Lake Hiawatha Park (46th Street and 28th Avenue South) is hosted by Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company’s “Canoes for a Cause” campaign in partnership with Metro Blooms. See attached poster for details.

The goal this year is to collect two tons of trash along Minnehaha Creek and the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. To reward volunteers for their efforts, there will be free food, prizes, music and fun!

“The Minnehaha Creek Cleanup is all about energizing people to help protect the creek and area lakes from pollution,” says Jim Calkins, president of the MCWD Board of Managers. “We hope their participation inspires them to protect clean water in other ways, as well.”                                                 Schedule of Events:
9am - Registration and free bagel breakfast
9:30am - Board buses to clean-up locations along creek and chain of lakes
11-11:30am - Return to Lake Hiawatha for free BBQ lunch provided by Leinenkugel’s
11:45am - Prizes for kids and adults, including a Leinenkugel’s canoe We’ll start things off with a free bagel breakfast.  Volunteers will receive a t-shirt, trash bags and gloves. Following the cleanup, Leinenkugel’s will provide a free BBQ lunch and, for those 21 or older with a valid ID, free Leinenkugel’s beer (limit of two per person). 

“Leinenkugel’s has a long history of maintaining clean waterways throughout the country and the Midwest,” says Jake Leinenkugel, president of Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. “Community cleanups like this are a great way to ensure our waterways remain safe and clean for generations to come.”

This year’s cleanup features a new partner - Metro Blooms. The Minneapolis-based private non-profit organization promotes environmentally sound gardening and landscaping practices to improve our land and water resources.

“The Minnehaha Creek Cleanup is a great opportunity for people to do their part to clean up the water,” says Becky Rice, executive director of Metro Blooms. “We are thrilled to be a part of this important event.”

Kids’ activities include face painting and art activities by ArtRageous Adventures and the MCWD’s “Putt Putt for Clean Water” mini golf game. REI will provide a bike technician at the on-site bike/canoe check. 

Paddlers are encouraged to bring their canoe or kayak and help clean up debris around Lake Hiawatha. The paddleboarding community – including the MN Standup Paddleboarders Association and Wayzata-based Wai Nani Surf & Paddle – will focus their efforts on Minnehaha Creek.

RSVP’s are required. Sign up at www.minnehahacreek.org/CleanUp.

The event is sponsored by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in partnership with Metro Blooms. Additional support and promotion are provided by Dick’s Sanitation, Centerline Charter Corp., REI, and KS95.