Due to high volume of parties in previous years, we are encouraging party hosts to check with their neighbors and surrounding neighborhoods and combine smaller parties where possible. This will allow police, fire and public works staff to attend as many parties as possible. It also contributes to the overall vision of National Night Out as an event to strengthen relationships between neighbors and build a stronger sense of community. 

Registration for National Night Out will occur the first Tuesday in June each year.

Neighborhood notification

Every household on your block should receive a written invitation that clearly states the location and hours of event as early as possible.

Traffic cones

If an application was submitted by the deadline, public works will deliver 8 – 10 orange traffic cones, at no cost, to the requesting address prior to the party. Place 4 – 5 cones at each end of the street closure. The cones will be picked up from the requesting address within 24 – 48 hours. You may be billed for the cost of the cones if they are not made available for pickup.

NOTE: The fee waiver for cones is for National Night Out only.

Below is information and tips on hosting your party. As always, remember to be courteous to your neighbors – do not play loud music and make sure the party is over at a reasonable hour.

Tips

Try and keep things simple and recruit your neighbors for:

• Activities – Plan activities that will include everyone.
• Kids’ entertainment – Ask older children to plan children’s games and activities.
• Logistics – Arranging tables, chairs, grills, coolers, utensils, ice, etc.
• Food – Have a BBQ, potluck or ask everyone to chip in for something.
• Invitations – Create your own or use the sample invitation
• Cleanup

Location

Many groups host their party in yards, parks, streets and other locations. If you wish to have your party in the street, make sure to indicate that on your party registration form.

Grills, tables, etc. must be placed to the side of the street to maintain access for emergency vehicles.

Equipment rental

Tables, chairs and public announcement systems are available to rent. Contact parks and recreation at 952.924.2540 for information on fees and availability.

Support our local food shelf

Consider having neighbors bring non-perishable food items, personal care items or gently used clothes and fill a grocery bag or few for our local food shelf STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program). All donations will be distributed to St. Louis Park individuals and families.

Learn more about STEP and the most needed items on STEP’s website.

Cleanup

Cleanup must be completed as soon as possible – no later than 24 hours after your event.

Recycling

Recycling from your party can be placed directly in your blue-lidded recycling cart. Put extra recycling in cardboard boxes, paper grocery bags or old recycling totes and set next to your cart. Do not use plastic bags of any kind. Extra recycling is always collected at no charge.

Organics

If you participate in the organics program you can put food scraps, napkins and certified compostable foodservice items (with BPI logo) in your brown-lidded organics cart. Organics must be bagged. One large compostable bag will be provided to registered parties upon request.

Garbage

Any trash generated at your party should be bagged and placed in your green-lidded trash cart. If you have more trash than will fit in your cart, the city will provide registered parties with two extra garbage stickers. Put one sticker on each extra garbage bag and place it by your cart on your next collection day.

Supply request

Items can be requested through the party registration form, and will be mailed to registered parties.

Signage and assistance

Signage can make a big difference in preventing contamination in recycling and organics. Hennepin County has several sign options in several languages which you can find on their website and print for free.

As a reminder, plastic utensils and #6 plastic cups (e.g., red party cups) are not recyclable and should be placed in the trash. Paper plates, cups and napkins are also not recyclable in our city. Paper products that are BPI-certified may be composted. If you cannot find the BPI logo, the items may have non-compostable coatings or chemicals and should go in the trash. Pizza boxes can be recycled if they are empty and mostly clean, otherwise they may be composted (must remove and trash any plastic or grease liners).

If you are not sure if your items are certified compostable or recyclable, place them in the trash or contact city staff at 952.924.2562 or recycling@stlouisparkmn.gov for assistance.