Another successful National Night Out (NNO)  just finished.  We had 130 registered neighborhoods, and I would estimate another 20+ that, while they did not register, still held a neighborhood gathering.  The weather was great and so were our wonderful residents.  Whether large or small, the get togethers often include a variety of activities for the kids as well as a fantastic array of food.

NNO is a great way to meet new and long-time residents as well as an opportunity for residents to share any concerns.    The Mayor, City Council, Police Chief, various Police Officers and myself along with our amazing Maple Grove Ambassadors visited many neighborhoods.  It was wonderful to see and hear how upbeat they are about living in Maple Grove.  As we continue to grow, there are challenges, but we continue to deal with those in a positive manner.

The NNO kickoff event held at the Lions shelter/community center parking lot was a sight to see.  In fact, trying to find a parking spot was a real challenge.  Attendance was high for those who enjoyed a hot dog meal served by our Police Department as well as a variety of public safety and fire activities.

Many thanks to all our residents!  With everyone’s busy schedules, connecting with neighbors doesn’t happen as often as one would wish.  When I grew up, the front porch was the place to hang out and you could greet neighbors as they walked by.  In these days, the porch is called the deck and we sit at the back of the house, which can tend lose the neighborly feel.

Enjoy the summer we have left!

Al Madsen, City Administrator