Como Park Ski Center opening and free youth ski clinics
Weather permitting, Como Park Ski Center will open for the season on Dec. 27 and free drop-in youth ski clinics will be held on Dec. 27-31. Experienced instructors will be available at 10am, 11:30am, and 1pm to introduce and lead groups of youth in introductory downhill and cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. No pre-registration required and equipment is available to loan on a first come, first served basis.
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Tree Gnome Scavenger Hunt returns
They're baaaaAAAack! We have another #Gnomevasion on our hands!! The Tree Gnomes have taken over our parks and green spaces (well, now snow covered spaces). The Tree Gnomes are hidden throughout our parkland so our parks & rec crew have teamed up to help you hone in on their locations.
Some of you may remember the last time the Tree Gnomes made their homes in Saint Paul in winter 2020-2021, so we are excited to welcome these Tree Gnomes back to our parks this year! Solve the clues, post a selfie with the Tree Gnome and use hashtag #stpgnometakeover--shhh, be careful not to give away the location in your photo! Can you find the whole Tree Gnome family?
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Upcoming adjusted facility hours
Due to ongoing severe weather, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation has made adjustments to some programs and facility hours for Dec. 23-24. As a reminder, all recreation centers, Rice & Arlington Batting Cages, and Great River Water Park will be closed Dec. 25-26, 2022 & Jan. 1-2, 2023.
Need something to do with the family? Como Zoo & Conservatory is open 365 days a year! Reservations are required.
Winter Break programming
There's still one more week of Winter Break we are offering a wide variety of drop-in programs for youth and families while Saint Paul Public Schools are closed! Offerings include basketball, volleyball, tot time, and more.
Looking for more things to do during break? Visit our No-School Days webpage for ideas to keep you active, engaged, and embrace some Minnesota winter weather.
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Save the date: Youth Spring Sports registration opens January 1
Youth Spring Sports registration opens January 1.
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that registration fees have been eliminated for youth sports 10U and up (ages 9+) at all recreation center sites. Eliminating these fees allows Saint Paul youth to have access to quality programming, encourages healthy and active lifestyles, builds confidence, and creates community. (Please note that fees apply for ages 4U, 6U and 8U. Those ages can take advantage of the early bird discounts!)
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Please stay off ice rinks
Ice rinks are still closed at this time. Crews are working on preparing rinks as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and cooperation in staying off the rinks until they are fully ready to open. Weather permitting, refrigerated rinks may open soon. Contact the recreation center or see onsite signage for updates. More information available on the ice rink webpage.
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Featured holiday events and activities
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Rice Park Holiday Hallmark Channel Livestream
Saint Paul has teamed up with the Hallmark Channel to share the festive, yuletide joy of Rice Park via livestream! Watch live video of Saint Paul and other towns that evoke the real-life essence of the festive communities featured in Hallmark holiday movies each day from 10am-10pm through December 30.
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Winter activity registrations
We have a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy a Minnesota winter (both inside and outside)!
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Adaptive Recreation programming
Adaptive Recreation provides a comprehensive recreational program for Saint Paul residents of all ages who have physical and/or developmental disabilities. Activities include arts and crafts, basketball, BINGO, music, an overnight camping trip, and more! Schedules for January and February programming are available.
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Basketball officials still needed
The youth basketball season is underway but we could still use a few more officials! Positions available for as young as 16 years old. Watch these testimonials on why others love being a Saint Paul Parks and Recreation coach or official!
Not interested in basketball? We need coaches and officials year-round! We're already looking ahead to our future sports seasons. If you are interested in coaching or officiating any other youth sports, we'd love to have you join the team! (We have volleyball and futsal soccer coming up this spring.) Volunteer coaches should fill out the volunteer form (list which sport you'd like to coach in the comments) and someone will reach out to you, or call Municipal Athletics at 651-558-2255 to get connected. Officials should apply online. No experience is required. These are great opportunity for adults who want to stay involved with their favorite sport or a great resume builder for older teens and college students!
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Work for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
We are hiring for many full, part time, and contract positions. View the full list of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation job openings below for more information on the positions. Apply online today!
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Reminders and Updates
Hmong Plaza Design Open House
Join the City of Saint Paul for an in-person community design open house celebration at Hmong Village Shopping Center (1001 Johnson Pkwy) on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 10-1pm, with a brief presentation at 10:30am.
At this event, attendees will be able to view the Phalen Regional Park Hmong Plaza design, share feedback and ask questions of the project team. This event will mark the conclusion of the schematic design project phase and celebrate the future plaza construction. Attendees are welcome to wear masks, though they are not required.
Together with the project’s Design Advisory Committee, the City of Saint Paul has created a vision for the future Hmong Plaza. The Hmong Plaza will be an important element as part of the Saint Paul Changsha China Friendship Garden. The plaza will feature Hmong cultural symbols and historical information that will be recognizable for Minnesota Hmong of all ages.
We hope you will be able to help us send this project into the construction phase! RSVP today. More information about the Hmong Plaza and Saint Paul Changsha China Friendship Garden can be found here.
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2022-2023 Out-of-school time programs: Registration is open for 2022-23 afterschool and no-school day youth programs.
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Woof woof! New dog park now open: We are excited to announce the opening of our newest dog park at Lower Landing Park (200 Warner Rd). This is now the 7th dog park in Saint Paul. (Please note, this winter the Lower Landing dog park may need to close temporarily if temperatures are above freezing in order to protect the new turf, which has not yet been established. Expect the park to temporarily close for a period in spring 2023 to allow the turf to fully establish.)
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Aquatics updates:
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Sensory Friendly Swim Time is available for all ages at Great River Water Park is for self-identified individuals with sensory sensitives, scheduled when the facility is typically quieter and less occupied. No registration is necessary.
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Aquatic Teen Fitness is available at Great River Water Park for youth ages 14-18. This drop-in program consists of swimming, sauna, slides, music, healthy snacks, games, drills, community mentors, guest speakers and service projects. This is a free program and no pre-registration necessary.
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All-access memberships are available for Great River Water Park. All-access memberships include water aerobics and lap swim in addition to open swim.
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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.
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