Text that says Connections, a weekly update from the City of Hopkins

Bulk Item Drop-Off Event is September 26, 27

Broken grill taking up space in the garage? Old microwave in the basement you need to toss? The fall bulk drop-off event for all City of Hopkins residents is Friday, September 26, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, September 27, from 9 a.m. to noon. For $40, plus taxes, you can drop off one appliance and up to three cubic yards worth of trash (the equivalent of one pick-up truck load). Additional appliances are $40, plus taxes, each. Find more information about the drop-off event.

Raspberry Park Renaming Celebration is September 27

Join the City of Hopkins Park Board to celebrate the renaming of Park Valley Playground to Raspberry Park. We’ll have lawn games and raspberry ice cream sandwiches from Chunk Chunk, and the first 50 residents will get a free raspberry plant.

Annual Community Chili Cook-Off is September 27

Who makes the best chili in town? The cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka and their police fire departments will go head-to-head in a Community Chili Cook-off to benefit the ICA Food Shelf on Saturday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Faith Church in Minnetonka, 12007 Excelsior Boulevard. For $5 or $15 per family, taste the chili of each of the teams and cast a ballot for your favorite. The event will also feature live music, games, police squad and fire truck displays, and more. Donations of non-perishable food, cash or other ICA-need items are also requested. All proceeds will benefit the ICA food shelf.

Free Brush Pick-Up is Week of September 29

The City will be picking up brush free of charge for residential garbage customers the same day as your garbage day the week of September 29. No call-in is required for the free pick-up. Learn more about brush pick-up requirements on the City website.

METRO Green Line Extension Testing Begins This Fall

Metro Transit will begin testing light rail vehicles this fall as the Green Line Extension project is nearing completion. Testing will continue throughout 2026. Light rail vehicles will be traveling through Hopkins between St. Louis Park and Eden Prairie to test the electrical systems and crossing warning lights. For everyone’s safety, please be aware of and comply with all railroad crossing gate arms and warning lights, even if the reason for them might not be apparent. The testing work is critical to ensure the Green Line Extension Light Rail Transit project is ready to serve customers in 2027. Watch the METRO Green Line Extension warning systems video or visit the METRO Green Line Exension website to learn more.

Free Home Energy Squad Audits Available for Residents
in September

Are your energy bills too high? Schedule a Home Energy Squad visit and learn how you can make your home more energy efficient. They can even install LED lightbulbs, door and attic hatch weather-stripping, and high-efficiency water fixtures right away. Plus, we’re offering FREE visits for Hopkins residents in the month of September. Find out more and schedule your visit.