St. Louis Park Takes a Green Step

After helping pilot the program over the past few years, St. Louis Park on Monday officially became a GreenStep City.

Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality of life goals.

It is based on 28 best practices—and 168 specific actions—centered around things such as land use, outdoor lighting and local transportation options. (You can see a full list of the best practices and actions here)

St. Louis Park hit on 90 of the 168 actions.

"It's our chance to brag about all the good things we've done for the environment," city environmental coordinator Jim Vaughan said at Monday's City Council meeting.

Council unanimously voted in favor of a GreenStep resolution.

Development of the GreenStep Cities program began in 2008 when city manager Tom Harmening served on an advisory committee that developed the framework for the effort, and city staff served on technical advisory committees.

In 2009 and 2010, St. Louis Park participated as one of five pilot cities with the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Regional Council of Mayors. ULI assisted the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in implementing the GreenStep program. Then, as part of the pilot, St. Louis Park measured its .

Inclusion as a GreenStep City will not cost St. Louis Park anything, as the program simply recommends certain best practices and procedures.