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DEVELOPMENT UPDATES • WINTER FARMERS MARKET • SPRING ACTIVITIES
Le Petit
Canadien
a publication of the
City of Little Canada
Snowy trees in Spooner Park
WINTER PARKING RONDEAU PARK IMPROVEMENTS
The City is updating Rondeau Park in 2022! The park, originally
POLICY built in 2003, was in need of significant improvements to the trail,
Parking is prohibited on City playground, and drainage areas. This neighborhood park is located
streets between 2 AM and 6 AM, off of Jackson Street near Little Canada Road. Rondeau Park is
from November 1 until April 1. within a Qualified Census Tract area which allows for the City to
Please remember that vehicles use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the majority of the
cannot be parked in yards or improvements that will be made. The City used the Park System
other areas of a property that is Master Plan, recent community-wide engagement, and engagement
not a driveway or garage. from the neighborhood to assist in adding elements the community
desires in the park. This park will see new trails, new ADA
accessible playground equipment and surfacing, a small hexagon
NOW HIRING open-air picnic shelter, new benches, additional trees and planting
Applications are being accepted areas, grading corrections, and drain tile added to minimize issues
for summer seasonal Public from rainwater. City staff will continue to work on design and plans
Works and Parks and Recreation in the winter and get everything ready for construction this
Maintenance workers. Applicants spring/summer.
must be 16 years old. Starting
rate is $14/hour. Applications
Following the success of the Spooner Park Community Build of
are available on the city website.
the new playground, plans are in the works for another
community build for the Rondeau Park playground equipment.
Stay tuned for the date and details.
CITY HALL CLOSED
City Hall will be closed on the
following days:
• Monday, January 17
• Monday, February 21
JANUARY - FEBRUARY -
MARCH 2022
www.littlecanadamn.org
Development Updates 3000 LABORE ROAD The property located at 3000 Labore is in the process of being approved for a Preliminary and Final Plat as well as a Variance approval from the City Council on January 26, 2022, to build 15 single-family homes. After approvals, they are planning to break ground in the spring. 2640 RICE STREET The City Council has approved the construction of a new bank, Royal Credit Union (RCU), at 2640 Rice Street (the former Gas N’ Go). The existing structure has been demolished and they are planning to break ground on the new building in spring 2022. 2 | LePetit Canadien
121 COUNTY ROAD C
(image rendering below)
The property located at 121 County Road C, Poolside, received
approval from the City Council for a planned unit development
(PUD) Amendment to construct a new warehouse, retail addition,
and reconfigure the parking lot. They are planning to break ground
in the spring.
SOUTH OWASSO AND SPRUCE STREET
The property located at the corner of South Owasso and Spruce Street was approved for a tax increment
financing district (TIF) by the City Council to enable the construction of a 75,000 square foot building for
manufacturing and office space after soil contamination is remediated. This new development will follow
the site plan shown at the Council meetings. They are planning to break ground in the spring.
The City is in the initial planning phase of the first Housing & Home Improvement Fair. We are
looking for home improvement contractors that are interested in being a vendor at the fair. Please
contact parks@littlecanadamn.org.
THANK YOU
TOYS FOR TOTS &
ONE WARM COAT
A huge heartfelt thank you
to those who were able to
contribute to The City’s Toys
for Tots and One Warm Coat
Drives. Together we were
able to donate multiple
boxes of toys and almost 60
coats to those in need. We
appreciate your willingness
to help us spread holiday
cheer!
www.littlecanadamn.org | 3
Recreation
RECREATION ACTIVITIES Registration begins February 1, 2022
Activity Ages/Grades Dates of Program Price
Thursdays
After School Pickleball Ages 8-12 $40
April 14-May 12
Tuesdays
After School Tennis Ages 8-12 $40
April 5-May 3
Late April-July
Baseball Grades 2-12 $105
(weather pending)
Late April-August 8U- $55
Softball Ages 8-12
(weather pending) 10U and 12U- $70
Mid/Late May
T-Ball Ages 4-6 $50
(weather pending)
Tuesday Evenings
Gymnastics Ages 5-12 $55
May-June
Classroom & Field Day.
Firearm Safety Ages 11+ $7.50
Dates are TBD. Check online.
Tuesday AM & Thursday PM
Adult Pickleball 18+ $50
May-June
RECREATION
SCHOLARSHIPS
The City has scholarships available SCAN THE QR CODE
for all youth recreation programs! FOR ADDITIONAL
Contact sierra.hietala@ INFORMATION AND
littlecanadamn.org with any REGISTRATION
questions.
SAVE T
Children’s HE DA
T E!
Skating Party WILDLIFE WALK
The LCRA will be hosting an Join Carpenter Nature Center
Ice Skating Party on Saturday, (CNC) for a guided Wildlife Walk.
February 12, from Participants will explore the trails
11 AM–1 PM at the Fire Barns at Spooner Park while searching
Skate Park, 440 Little Canada for the sights and sounds of
Road. Come join the fun wildlife. After the hike,
with food, beverages, prizes, participants will get a chance
music, skating, and more! to meet some of Carpenter
Nature Center’s live Animal
Ambassadors!
Date & Time: March 21, 1-3 PM
Grades: 3-5 • Cost: $10
Barred Owl - CNC Animal Abssador
4 | LePetit Canadien
WINTER FARMERS MARKET
The Farmers Market is back! Check out your favorite
vendors on January 10 from 2-5 PM at the Little
Canada Bingo Hall. We are excited to have over 10
vendors with goods like bread, eggs, sweets, crafts,
self-care items, candles, clothing, and more! Check
out the Farmers Market Facebook page for updates on
new vendors as well as the items you can purchase.
Stop by the Winter Market to enter a drawing for a
FREE winter stocking hat.
Interested in being a vendor?
Contact sierra.hietala@littlecanadamn.org or call
(651)766-4042 for more information.
ADULT ACTIVITIES Skating Rink Hours
RINK #1 (Old Fire Barn):
430 Little Canada Road East
Master Gardener Courses Monday-Friday: 4-9 PM
Take a virtual gardening course provided by the University of Saturday: 10 AM - 9 PM
Minnesota Extension’s Master Gardener program every first Tuesday Sunday: 12-9 PM
of the month from 7-8:30 PM.
RINK #2: 60 Demont Avenue
Growing Microgreens: Learn about growing microgreens: quick- Monday: Closed
growing vegetable and herb seedlings that can be grown indoors Tuesday-Friday: 5-9 PM
and can be used in salads or as fresh green in many types of dishes Saturday: 12-9 PM
during the cold seasons of the year. Sunday: 12-9 PM
Date: January 4 • Cost: $5
All About Seeds: Seeds are the foundation of a garden. In this NEW
class, you will learn about choosing seeds, growing seeds, and saving
SNOWSHOE RENTALS
seeds. It’s all in the name: this class is All About Seeds.
AND EVENTS!
Date: February 1 • Cost: $5 The City is excited to announce
the addition of snowshoe rentals
Spring into Summer: Learn about how to wake up your garden to our website! Snowshoes will
in this class, which provides information about what to do for your be available as soon as there is
garden and landscape between March and August. a constant six inches of snow on
the ground. Check our Facebook
Date: March 1 • Cost: $5
page and website for snowshoe
updates!
Drivers Safety Class
Offered this spring for drivers age 55 and older. Participants are Residents can look forward to
eligible for a 10% automobile insurance discount by completing these guided hikes, snowshoe rental
courses. Register online on our website or by calling 651-766-4042. ‘drop-ins’ at local parks, and
Classes are held at the Little Canada City Hall, 515 Little Canada more!
Road. There are two refresher courses for this session that will be
offered: Ages: 8+ • Cost: $2
4-Hour Refresher • Monday, April 4 • 5:30-9:30 PM • Cost: $15
4-Hour Refresher • Tuesday, April 5 • 5:30-9:30 PM • Cost: $15
www.littlecanadamn.org | 5
Little Canada Connections
c
Welcome to Little Canada Connections! In each Newsletter we will highlight different active members of
the community. Do you have someone we should highlight? Email parks@littlecanadamn.org.
This week we had the pleasure to interview...
Shawn Hipp
(pictured left volunteering for the Cookies
with Santa event)
Please introduce yourself and
share how long you have lived in
Little Canada:
“My name is Shawn Hipp. I am the
‘newbie’ on the Little Canada Park &
Rec Commission and have thoroughly
enjoyed my first year. I have lived in
Little Canada with my husband and
two sons for over 25 years.”
How do you stay active in the
community?:
“I followed my boys through their
varied adventures at Little Canada
Elementary, St. John’s, and the MN
Waldorf School- helping coach their
sports in the park and rec system
when I could, and serving as the PTA
President for a couple of years as
well. I taught and coached at Hamline
University since 1983 (which I
thoroughly enjoyed) and recently
retired. My passion for the park system here led me to want to give back to the community I care about,
so when I read the opening on the commission I immediately knew “That’s what I want to do!”’
What project are you most proud of while working on the Parks and Recreation Commission?:
“We have been involved with so many intriguing projects- but much of which the groundwork was laid by
my predecessors years earlier. The Master Plan that was put together before my arrival is well thought out
and researched. This year has been spent researching nature play areas, looking over proposals and
documents related to Pioneer Park upgrades and renovations, and approving proposals sent to our city
council. I have a great group to work with! Dave Miller, our trusty chair and fearless leader- handily keeps
us on task. Anna and Peter have young kids that use the programs and parks, so their input is invaluable
in that capacity. Ron’s strong experience in the park and rec profession as well as his frequent use of the
park trails makes him one of our “go-to” guys. Rose’s educational experience, connections, and focus on
diversity is a truly valuable asset to the commission. Lastly, I’d like to give a shout-out to “Outgoing”
commissioner Tom Ray. His sense of humor and cheerful insights will be missed, but I’m confident he will
stay involved with the community. I’m looking forward to meeting our new commissioner and
encouraging LC residents from all walks of life to consider applying for open positions in the future!”
What Parks and Recreation event are you most looking forward to?:
“I’m looking forward to helping promote our new snowshoe trails in Spooner Park!” Check out page 5 for
more information on upcoming snowshoe rentals and events!
6 | LePetit Canadien
LITTLE CANADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THEN AND NOW: PICTORAL RECORDS
The Little Canada History Center is looking to add pictures to our “Then and Now” Collection. If you have
pictures from Little Canada’s past, the History Center would like to add them to our collection. Pictures can
be either of people or places and need to be labeled. You can scan them and send them to us or you can
drop them off, we will scan them and return them to you. We at the History Center feel it is important to
have an ongoing, updated visual record of our town. Last year one of our members took pictures of every
house in Little Canada. This was a great service to our Society. We would like to continue to add to our
collection. If you have questions you can email us at littlecanadahs@gmail.com or call us at
651-766-4044. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE
“The Travels and Adventures of Charles Napoleon Morin” a presentation by Jim Morin will be held at
the Little Canada Historical Society, 10 AM to 2 PM on March 5, 2022. This is a presentation of Charles
Napoleon Morin’s travels and adventurers during the 1800s in Canada and the United States.
French-Canadian Fiddle Music by Danielle Enblom. Admission $20.00. Register at fahfminn.org or call
651-766-4044. Co-sponsored by the French American Heritage Foundation and the Little Canada Historical
Society. “Charles Napoleon Morin – Memories of My Travel and Adventures” edited and translated by
James Morin is now available on Amazon.
CANADIAN DAYS
BUTTON DESIGN CONTEST
Attention kids in grades K-8: Watch for details on the Canadian Days button design contest. Contest
information will be available on our website on February 15 at www.canadiandays.org.
Kids - put on your thinking caps and start imagining button design ideas using our theme which will be
revealed on the button contest entry form.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The Canadian Days festival dates have been set for July 29, 30, and 31, 2022. Canadian Days is held
the weekend before the first Monday in August. We plan around Ontario, Canada’s Civic Holiday, which is
observed the first Monday in August, so that visitors from our Sister-City, Thunder Bay, have an extra day
to travel safely home. We are hoping that our Sister-City friends can attend the festival in 2022!
COOKIES WITH SANTA
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Cookies with Santa event! We had an
amazing turnout and we are excited to host Cookies with Santa in 2022 on December 5.
Thank you to the Little Canada Recreation Association (LCRA), McDonald’s of Little Canada, and Cardigan
Ridge for their generous donations and sponsorship for this event.
www.littlecanadamn.org | 7
Public Safety
AWARENESS CAN DEFEAT SCAMS SIMPLE STEPS CAN HELP
FROM BECOMING A
• Phone scams and email phishing scams tend to follow the
headlines to fool victims into giving them money or personal CRIME VICTIM
information. With the tax season ahead beware of scams • Be aware of your
pretending to be the IRS or the Social Security Administration. surroundings when walking to
and from your car in parking
• Fake emails about unauthorized Amazon purchases are very lots.
prevalent. Always double-check with the real company – NOT the
• Don’t leave valuables in your
phone or link in the probably fake email. vehicle. (If you must leave
them, make certain they are
• Remember that no government agency will call and ask you to totally out of sight).
pay fines or fees with a gift card, credit card, or to wire money.
• Lock your car doors.
• If you do receive a telephone scam or robo-call simply hang up.
• Close your garage door.
• Scammers use scare tactics to make their victims believe they
• Don’t leave your keys in your
are in trouble and need to act quickly. Before you make any car when warming it up.
payments, provide information, or grant access to your computer
please talk to another person you trust to figure out if the threat • Put lights on timers when you
is real or not. are away from home.
• Gift cards are for giving. If someone asks you to purchase and • When away on vacation plan
to have snow removed from
pay with a gift card it’s a scam.
your driveway and walk, have
• If you do become a victim of fraud or identity theft, please call newspapers, sales circulars,
9-1-1 and a Deputy will help with taking a report and beginning and mail picked up.
the process and paperwork needed to recover.
CONGRATULATIONS!
In November of 2021 Brandon Landsberger, Nicole Lantau, and Matt
Mallory completed their one year of probation with the Little Canada
Fire Department and are now full members. The one year of
probation includes over 200 hours of firefighter and emergency
medical training.
Thank you for your commitment to serving your community.
Additionally, three new probationary members have joined the ranks
of the Little Canada Fire Department. David King, Doug Verhaal, and
Allison Zschokke.
THANK YOU LCFD!
Each year, the Little Canada Fire
Department donates funds to the
City from charitable gambling.
This year, the LCFD donated
$140,000! This donation will be
used in the Fire Equipment Fund
and help fund the purchase of a
new ladder truck.
Thank you LCFD for your
Left to right: Asst Chief Tim Boss, Brandon Landsberger, Matt Mallory, generous donation!
Chief Don Smiley, Nicole Lantau, and Asst. Chief Kevin Keenan
8 | LePetit Canadien
Recycling
CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL
LIVE TREES
For residents who have a recycling account with the City, you can have your live Christmas tree removed
at the curb for free during the first two weeks of January. Please have your live Christmas tree out at the
curb by 7 AM on Wednesday – either January 5 or January 12 – and the hauler will remove it. New this
year, NO NEED to call and schedule, the haulers will be canvassing the City. Please remove all decorations,
lights, tinsel, and tree bags.
Another option is to bring your live Christmas tree to a Ramsey County yard waste site. They are open on
weekends during the winter, and they’re free for residents. Four of the sites accept Christmas trees. Please
remove all decorations, lights, tinsel, and tree bags. Flocked trees and holiday greenery, like wreaths,
swags, boughs, and garland are not accepted and should be placed in the trash. Visit
RamseyRecycles.com/YardWaste or call 651-633-EASY (3279) for more information.
ARTIFICIAL TREES
If you have an artificial Christmas tree you no longer want, you can donate it or have it removed as part
of the City’s bulky program. Residents with a recycling account with the City can have up to three bulky
items removed each calendar year at no extra cost. Please call 651-766-4038 to schedule the removal of
your artificial Christmas tree.
DISPOSAL OF HOLIDAY GREENERY (WREATHS AND GARLANDS)
Holiday greenery such as wreaths, swags, boughs, and garlands are NOT accepted at Ramsey County yard
waste collection sites because of the likelihood of contamination from metal wires and decorations. Please
place holiday greenery in the trash.
Also, to limit the spread of potential invasive pests like elongate hemlock scale (EHS) and Lymantria dispar
(formerly known as a gypsy moth), you should dispose of holiday greenery promptly and follow these
instructions:
• Put holiday greenery in a plastic bag and place it in your trash. Do not burn holiday greenery.
• Do not leave holiday greenery out in your yard or backyard compost pile all winter. This increases the risk
of the greenery either getting or spreading an invasive pest.
• Holiday/Christmas trees and greenery grown in Minnesota have not been found infested with EHS.
However, EHS and Lymantria dispar have been found on trees imported to Minnesota.
To learn more, visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website at
www.mda.state.mn.us/holiday-greenery-best-management-practices.
STRING LIGHTS NOT WORKING? REPAIR THEN RECYCLE
Holiday string lights are loved for their warm ambiance during the winter months, yet loathed for their
tendency to stop working. Instead of tossing them in the trash, consider repairing them. With a little
know-how, string lights can be easy to fix, which saves you money and reduces waste. Learn more with
this how-to video at www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-repair-christmas-tree-lights/.
If you’re unable to repair strands of lights or cords, please don’t put them in your recycling cart. They can
get tangled in the sorting machines at the recycling facility.
Non-LED holiday lights may be placed in the trash. LED holiday lights cannot go in the trash because they
contain printed circuit boards and are considered hazardous.
Bring all types of string lights to Ramsey County’s year-round household hazardous waste collection site
located at 5 Empire Drive in Saint Paul, where they will be transported in bulk to a local recycler that will
recycle them. Electrical cords are also accepted. Please remove any attached battery packs, electronics,
or appliances before drop-off.
www.littlecanadamn.org | 9
Public Works CLEARING THE SNOW AROUND FIRE HYDRANTS The Fire Department and Public Works Department are asking residents for their assistance in clearing snow from around fire hydrants in their neighborhoods. Large amounts of snow accumulation combined with the after-effects of plowing roads and parking lots can leave many local fire hydrants partially or completely buried in snow. This creates a challenge for firefighters responding to emergencies. Critical minutes can be lost if firefighters must clear away snow to gain access to the water provided by fire hydrants. Please help out by clearing away at least three feet of snow on all sides of the hydrant and an access point to the hydrant from the road if you are physically able to do so. If you need assistance please call 651-766-4049. WINTER PARKING POLICY Parking is prohibited on City streets between 2 AM and 6 AM, from November 1 until April 1. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department tickets illegally parked cars during these winter parking restrictions as well as snow emergencies. Failure to move the vehicle could result in the vehicle being towed. Please remember that vehicles must be parked in a driveway or garage and cannot be parked in yards or other areas of a property. STREETLIGHT OUTAGES If you see a streetlight that is out or malfunctioning in any way please call Xcel Energy’s streetlight outage line, 1-800-960-6235, or report it online at xcelenergy.com. You can also call City Hall at 651-766-4029 to report streetlight issues. Once the outage is reported Xcel usually has the light repaired within two or three days. You should also call Xcel Energy or City Hall if you see tennis shoes or other objects draped on power lines or other utility lines. NYFS SEEKS WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR SENIOR CHORE PROGRAM Northeast Youth & Family Services is looking for volunteers and workers age 16 and older who are interested in helping local seniors live at home, with dignity, for as long as possible. Volunteers and workers will help perform seasonal outdoor chores including light landscaping, raking, weeding, garage cleaning, and snow shoveling. Volunteer hours count toward school community service requirements. Workers can earn $17 per hour. All work will be conducted following current COVID-safety guidelines. For more information, please contact Madelyn Murray at madelyn@nyfs.org or 651-308-3490. 10 | LePetit Canadien
Business Highlight
LITTLE CANADA MCDONALD’S
“I always dream of the Little Canada McDonald’s as a restaurant of the community. People who
live in Little Canada and kids that attend local schools can work here. This McDonald’s is a place
where people can gather with friends after school, can come for breakfast before church, or
enjoy dinner after having an afternoon teacher’s meeting,” said Estephanie Gutierrez, manager
of the Little Canada McDonald’s. Gutierrez has worked at the Little Canada McDonald’s for 17
years and has been a manager for eight of those years. McDonald’s currently has 101
employees, including 17 managers. With their excellent employee retention, they have been
able to remain the only McDonald’s in the area that is open 24/7.
Keeping up with current trends, McDonald’s has also recently made several renovations. These
updates include front counter service (delivering food to your table), QR codes located on tables
for easy online ordering, four new kiosks for ordering on your own, food delivery through app
services, and curbside orders. When asked what makes the Little Canada McDonald’s so
successful Gutierrez stated the employees are like a family. “We try to make the atmosphere
fun and have an engaging place to work. We create a culture within the restaurant that makes
it a place people want to be.”
McDonald’s has made a point to be active within the Little Canada community. They strive to
connect with their customers by giving back to the community. Recently, McDonald’s sponsored
the City’s Cookies with Santa event by donating cookies, cocoa, and more! Estephanie has
made many close connections with community members through McDonald’s: ” We have a lot of
regular customers that are our friends, too,
and it is great to be part of their lives.”
Recently, McDonald’s purchased artwork from
Sir Metalman (Lake Elmo, MN). This piece is a
backlit LED maple leaf, which represents the
City’s logo (which can be found on both the
Canadian flag, as well as the City’s flag), as
well as, Estephanie notes: “the longstanding
ties with our neighboring city of Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada.”
Stop in today to see their beautiful
artwork, new renovations to the
restaurant, and their friendly staff!
Thank you, McDonald’s!
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS’ OF ROSEVILLE AREA
CONVERSATIONS WITH CONSTITUENTS: REPRESENTATION IN CITY GOVERNANCE
Join the League of Women Voters Roseville Area (LWVRA) on Thursday, January 20 at 6:30 PM as we
continue our focus on diversity in local governance in conversations with city leaders. What efforts are
being made to broaden involvement and enable more diverse and inclusive city leadership, and what does
progress look like? Invited are the mayors of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada,
Maplewood, and Roseville.
Join the conversation! Moderated by LWVRA members, this event is co-hosted by Ramsey County Library.
This is an online program offered remotely using Zoom communication software.
You must register in advance for this program at
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XFCjnJUSR66EEtQMHJtdgw
www.littlecanadamn.org | 11City of Little Canada PRSRT STD Office Hours | M-F 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
515 Little Canada Road East U.S. POSTAGE PAID Ph 651-766-4029 | Fax 651-766-4048
Twin Cities, MN
Little Canada, MN 55117-1600 Permit No. 32324 www.littlecanadamn.org
MAYOR JOHN KEIS
651-482-8774 | john.keis@littlecanadamn.org
COUNCIL MEMBER MICHAEL MCGRAW
651-483-3339 | michael.mcgraw@littlecanadamn.org
COUNCIL MEMBER TOM FISCHER
651-489-5585 | tom.fischer@littlecanadamn.org
COUNCIL MEMBER CHRISTIAN TORKELSON
ECR WSS 651-395-0983 | christian.torkelson@littlecanadamn.org
Postal Customer COUNCIL MEMBER TERESA MILLER
651-214-7110 | teresa.miller@littlecanadamn.org
Bryce Shearen, Editor
bryce.shearen@littlecanadamn.org
Le Petit Canadien is published quarterly and is printed on
recycled paper with agri-based ink. Each issue is paid for in
part by the State of Minnesota S.C.O.R.E. Fund and Ramsey
County.
THANK YOU
COMMISSIONER RAY
The City would like to give
a heartfelt thank you to the
outgoing Parks & Recreation
Commissioner, Tom Ray. We
thank you for your time,
dedication, service to the
community, and support that
you have provided the City
over the years and we are
grateful for your insight and
recommendations towards
making the City’s parks the
best they can be!
LITTLE CANADA
KNIT STOCKING HATS
Are you looking for a quality stocking hat this winter season to show
off your community pride? Little Canada knit hats have returned this SAP RUN
winter season! Pick yours up at City Hall for $20.
SAVE THE DATE
May 7, 2021
stay tuned for more
details!
DID YOU KNOW?
An electronic version of the
City Newsletter is available
on the City Website. You can
receive a notification when
the latest newsletter has been
posted by subscribing to the
“Notify Me” newsletter list at
www.littlecanadamn.org/
list.aspx
12 | LePetit CanadienYou can also read
