An end-of-year message to our community from Saint Paul Public Library and Parks & Recreation
We are slowly beginning to exhale on what has been an unprecedented year in Saint Paul and beyond. Globally and locally, people have been challenged by uncertainties around education, employment, and the economy. Racial and social inequities that have persisted throughout society for centuries have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and killing of George Floyd. Many of the public services our community counts on have been altered, suspended and reimagined. Yet through the challenges, 2020 has helped reinforce the importance of human connection, compassion and community.
(Continue reading full message from Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm and Saint Paul Public Library Director Catherine Penkert here.)
Winter Programming and Activity Updates
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Great River Water Park will reopen for water aerobics and lap swim starting Monday, January 4. Advance reservations and payments are required and can be made online or by calling 651-642-0650. Open swim continues to be on hold, pending public health guidelines. Swim lessons are expected to return in the near future. Visit stpaul.gov/GreatRiverWaterPark for full details and public health guidelines.
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Youth spring sports registration for volleyball and futsal will open Friday, January 1. Save 10%-25% when you register online January 1-5. Visit stpaul.gov/YouthSports for full details, registration information, and public health guidelines.
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Como Park Ski Center will open on Friday, January 1. Open ski and snowboard hours for January 1-3 will be 10am-6pm. Reservations must be made in advance for all equipment rentals. Walk-ups for equipment rentals will not be allowed. Visit stpaul.gov/SkiComo for full details and public health guidelines.
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Cross country ski trail grooming has begun. Rentals are available at Como Park Ski Center and reservations must be made in advance for all equipment rentals. We are also exploring the potential to groom a trail at Crosby Farm Regional Park as equipment and conditions allow. Visit stpaul.gov/XCountrySki for locations, updates, and trail conditions.
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Ice rinks are open*, but remain dependent on the weather and public health guidelines. Public health guidance requires a 12 foot distance between skaters who are not part of the same household. Warming houses will not be available. Outdoor benches will be available for changing skates and taking breaks. Lights will turn off at 9pm daily, except for at Phalen, which will turn off at 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays until a new timer can be installed. Visit stpaul.gov/IceRinks for locations, updates and full details. *Groveland will open at 12pm on January 2.
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Adaptive Recreation programming is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, January 12. Call 651-793-6561 or 651-793-6634 or visit stpaul.gov/AdaptiveRec for full details, registration information and public health guidelines.
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S'more Fun and Rec Check youth programs are ongoing.
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Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is temporarily closed, but the Garden Safari Gift Shop is open.
Tree Gnome Scavenger Hunt
It's a gnomevasion! The Tree Gnomes have taken over our parks and green spaces, so our parks and rec crew have teamed up to help you hone in on their locations. Can you find the whole Tree Gnome family? When you find a Tree Gnome, post a selfie and use hashtag #stpgnometakeover. Shhh, be careful not to give away the location in your photo. One Golden Gnome will also travel from park to park each week! Find all the clues and details at stpaul.gov/treegnome.
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Holiday lights recycling
Got any broken strings of lights this holiday season? Don't throw them away—recycle them! Saint Paul Public Library locations will be collecting holiday lights for recycling through Jan. 22, 2021. Look for the "Holiday Light Recycling" bin at your local library.
Accepted items: Holiday lights, electric cords, telephone cords.
Prohibited items: Cord adaptors, battery packs, plastic rope lights, CFL lights.
Visit stpaul.gov/recyclingholidaylights to find a drop-off location near you.
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Free meals and produce distribution
To address growing food insecurity in Saint Paul due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is partnering with Youthprise, Arts-Us, and the Sanneh Foundation to provide free meal service to Saint Paul families in need. Visit stpaul.gov/freemeals for meal distribution information. Visit the Sanneh Foundation website for information on free produce distribution.
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