What's Happening at Saint Paul Parks and Recreation

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Logo

What's Happening

The latest news, events, and activities from Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.

Youth soccer with referee on the field

Soccer and Flag Football officials needed

Soccer and Flag Football officials are needed for this fall season. Weeknight games start the week of August 15, and pay starts at $20 per game.

Referees must be 16 or older. This is a great opportunity for young adults who want to stay involved with their favorite sport! Visit our coaching webpage or email Municipal Athletics to express interest and learn more. 

Grand opening flyer invite for Unci Makha Park on Aug. 9
Family in costumes at Halloween party

Fall activity registration now open

Fall activity registration is now open. Sign up for dance and music, pickleball, martial arts, Zumba, cooking, drones and robotics, yoga, art, senior classes, skateboarding and more! Activities and events are available for all ages. Browse upcoming activities and events

School year Rec Check and S'more Fun registration is also open. 

Two youth sitting on a blanket attending Movies in the Parks

Now showing: Movies in the Parks 

The 2022 Movies in the Parks season has begun! Movies in the Parks events are free and open to the public. Events are weather permitting and subject to change without notice. Movies typically begin at dusk. Some pre-show activities and food trucks have already been announced (and continue to be added to the schedule), so visit the website for updates. Next week's movies are "Luca" at Sibley Manor Apartments and "1985" at Lake Phalen Beach.

Movie in the Park "Luca" at Sibley Manor Apartments on Aug 10"1985" Movie in the Park on Aug 12
2022 Movies in the Park flyer with added fall movies
Summer Nights in Rice Park concert series logo

Summer Nights in Rice

Reggae, salsa, pop rock, and jazz… There’s something for everyone’s musical taste at Summer Nights in Rice! This free concert series happens on select Thursdays through September from 4-7pm. Grab a drink or a bite to eat at a local restaurant then stop by for free live music, dancing, and community connections in Rice Park! 

Circus Juventas poster for "Confetti" opens July 29
Parks & Rec Vision Plan 2022 graphics

Help shape the future of Saint Paul Parks & Recreation

We need your feedback! The City of Saint Paul is preparing a new Parks and Recreation System Plan - a comprehensive guide to physical improvements and changes to parks and recreation facilities such as parks, athletic fields, recreation centers and trails. The System Plan will balance investment in park facilities with available resources and will be the blueprint for a successful and sustainable future for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. 

Full survey (5-15 minutes--to tell us ALL your ideas!)

Shorter version (5 minutes--to cover the basics)

Learn more about the System Plan, including a drawing activity geared towards all ages to show us your thoughts!

We are seeking responses from current and potential park users, so forward this email so we can gather feedback from all ages, backgrounds and abilities to ensure the new System Plan is representative of all who live and visit the City of Saint Paul.

Mississippi River Learning Center drone shot over Mississippi River

Mark your calendar: Mississippi River Learning Center community meeting August 11

The City of Saint Paul and Great River Passage Conservancy, in partnership with Mississippi Park Connection, the National Park Service and Your Boat Club, are working with the W Architecture team to create a vision for the future Mississippi River Learning Center – a mixed-use, river-focused space where people will experience the land, water and culture of the Mississippi River.

This innovative community resource at Crosby Farm Regional Park will include a National Park Service headquarters, serving as a national gateway to the Mississippi River with year-round learning and outdoor recreation experiences both on and along Saint Paul’s riverfront.

See the new, single design concept for the Mississippi River Learning Center based on previous community feedback, hear from the project partners, and ask questions at a virtual community meeting on Thursday, August 11, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Learn more and register here.

Youth Commission in City Council chambers

DEADLINE APPROACHING! Youth Commission application deadline extended to August 12

The Saint Paul Youth Commission is where young people learn to enhance their civic leadership, work in partnership with elected officials and stakeholders, represent their peers, and advocate for youth voice in decision making to ensure Saint Paul is a city that works for all of us.  Learn more about Youth Commissioner duties and projects and submit your application by the new extended deadline, August 12!  

Summer camp activity_Amazing Race team selfie

Summer Camps offered through August

Fall may be around the corner but we still have a solid few weeks of summer to soak up! Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Summer Camps are available through August. Browse all summer camps or view the full camp grid on our summer camp webpage.

Summer Camps: Week of August 8

Summer Camps: Week of August 15

Youth swimming at Phalen Beach

Featured summer camp:

On The Go Camp August 15-19 (North Dale) from 8am-4pm

Experience a new and exciting field trip each day! Excursions will vary by site but could include swimming at a Saint Paul pool or beach, fishing, disc golf, puzzle escape room, art museum, mini golf, and more! Activities can vary by site and are subject to change, so contact the recreation center for the latest updates. Registration is required and signed permission forms from parents will be needed for participants to go on field trips. 

Summer Camps: Week of August 22

We also offer...

  • Summer Rec CheckFree program for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Thursday from 1-4pm at 23 sites. 
  • Summer S'more Fun: $40/day for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm at Highland Park Community Center. 
Two youth building cardboard block tower at Amazing Race event
Minnesota Vikings logo

Discounted Vikings Football Tickets

Support Saint Paul Parks and Recreation youth programs by purchasing $20 tickets to see the Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers on August 20 at 6:00 p.m. Use promo code STPAULPARKS. Tickets must be purchased online using the link above. A limited number of tickets are available at this price, so purchase yours now to raise funds for our youth programming! 

Parks Worker pushing lawn mower

We're hiring! 

We still have a variety of seasonal job openings, including Parks Worker I! Work outdoors and soak in the warm summer sun while supporting permit sites, and helping to keep our park spaces and facilities in tip top shape. 

View the full list of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation job openings below for more information on the positions. 

Rec Tech Lab: Right Track intern with youth participant

Work for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation

We are hiring for many full and part time positions. Apply online today!

Family sitting in chairs at a Movie in the Park event

Summer events and amenities

Urban Teacher Residency program flyer

Reminders and Updates

  • Masks welcome, but not required: Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has lifted the masking requirement for staff and visitors in City-controlled facilities. Face masks are welcome and will be available for anyone wishing to wear one. Visitors are still encouraged to maintain distance from others when possible, to wash hands frequently, and to stay home if feeling sick. Visit our COVID-19 Updates webpage for the latest information.
  • Como Parking Lot Improvement Project. The first phase of the improvement project is complete (the south parking lot is open) and the second phase is underway in Como Regional Park. Currently, the north parking lot at Como Lakeside Pavilion is closed for construction and is expected to be completed soon. Construction will pause until after Labor Day when the Golf Course lot construction is scheduled to begin. Visit the Como Transportation Parking Improvements webpage for more updates on the construction timeline, parking lot and trail closures, and a map of alternative parking locations. Please follow all detours currently in place. Thank you for your patience. 
  • Swan boats at Como Lakeside Pavilion: Stop by Dock & Paddle for a bite to eat, then catch a ride on the brand new swan boats at Lake Como. These dreamy pedal boats light up at night to make the experience even more majestic!

  • Adult fall sports registration: Registration for Fall Adult Volleyball and Fall Adult Cornhole are now open! Volleyball players can register as individuals and be assigned to a team (or request a buddy to play together!) Cornhole is a team based registration, so grab some friends for this relaxed league of a favorite backyard game!

  • Dog Parks: Dogs must be effectively restrained on a leash no longer than six feet in all Saint Paul Parks, with the exception of our five off-leash dog parks. (The new Lilydale Regional Park off-leash dog park is now open! If you are traveling by car, park in the boat launch parking lot.) Please do not allow dog to run off leash in other fenced in areas, such as tennis courts or skateboarding rinks.
  • Free Summer Meals: Through a partnership with Youthprise and Saint Paul Public Schools, free meals and snacks for youth 18 years of age and under are available at multiple sites around Saint Paul. This schedule will be available through August 19. 
  • Adaptive Recreation: Adaptive Recreation provides a comprehensive recreational program for Saint Paul residents of all ages who have physical and/or developmental disabilities. Schedules for July and August programming are available now.
  • Tree watering recommendations: The weather has been hot and dry and we could use your help keeping newly planted boulevard trees watered. To water recently planted trees, set a hose at a trickle for one hour, three times a week, or place a watering bag around the trunk and fill it weekly. Contact our Forestry team if you would like to have a gator bag put on your newly planted boulevard tree and follow these other tree care recommendations