News from Ward 5 (May 31, 2024)

May 31, 2024

Saint Paul to Grow the EV Spot Network with the East Side Expansion Project

Saint Paul is growing our Electric Vehicle (EV) Spot Network with the installation of five new on-street electric vehicle charging stations, each offering 10 hub-based electric carshare vehicles, near five Gold Line stations and five other locations with exact locations to be determined based upon community input.

Beginning this summer, construction will start on the following five EV Spot Charging Gold Line stations:

• Mounds Boulevard Station (3^rd Street and Mounds Boulevard)
• Earl Street Station (Earl Street and Hudson Road)
• Etna Station (Etna Street and Wilson Avenue)
• Hazel Street Station (Hazel Street and Hudson Road)
• Sun Ray Transit Center (Pederson Street and Hudson Road)

Starting this summer Saint Paul will also be working to engage the community over the next two years to determine the locations where chargers will be best used and meet community needs for the additional five locations. For engagement activities and construction updates, visit the EV Spot Network East Side Expansion project page at www.stpaul.gov/EVEastSide.

For EV Spot Charging Gold Line station construction updates, visit www.stpaul.gov/EVGoldLine.

For more information about the EV Spot Network, including a list of chargers and additional partners, visit www.stpaul.gov/EV. For expansion information, visit www.EVSpotNetwork.org.

Youth Fall Sports registration opens June 1

Summer has barely started, but our fall sports registration is fast approaching! Fall sports offerings include soccer, flag football, and lacrosse. Soccer and flag football is FREE for ages 9 and up and fall lacrosse is FREE for ages 7 and up! (Please note that fees apply for ages 4U, 6U and 8U but you can save by utilizing the Early Bird Discount and registering in the first 5 days of the month.) Registration opens June 1 and will remain open though June 30. 

MN Incarcerated Workers BBQ

The Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC) are hosting a barbecue on Saturday, June 8 from 2-6pm at the NAACP headquarters in Minneapolis (1101 W Broadway, Mpls).

There will be free food and good times with two DJs. Please feel welcome to bring anyone interested in supporting freedom, the abolition of mass incarceration in Minnesota, or the humanization of people that will be living in a post incarceration world. This is an alcohol free event. More info at incarceratedworkers.org. 

Citywide Recycling Drop-Off Events

Mark your calendars for the upcoming 2024 Citywide Recycling Drop-Off events! The first will be held on Saturday, June 22nd from 8am-1pm at Harding High School. The second will be held on September 14th from 8am-1pm at the MN State Fair Grounds. 

These events are open to all Saint Paul residents to recycle materials such as electronics, appliances, scrap metal, and more. Full event details can be found at stpaul.gov/drop-offs or by calling 651-266-6101.

Contact Us

CC-Ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us 

651-266-8650

Schedule a Lake Lap

Ward 5 residents are invited to meet your councilmember while walking a lap around Lake Como. Email or call the Ward 5 office to schedule.

Swimming Season!

Summer is here. Time for a swim! Opening dates below: 

Phalen Beach: Weather permitting, Phalen Beach be open on June 1-2 & 8-9, and daily starting June 11. 

Highland Park Aquatic Center: Weather permitting, Highland Park Aquatic Center will be open June 1-2 & 8-9, and daily starting June 11. 

Como Regional Park Pool: Weather permitting, Como Regional Park Pool will be open for the season starting June 11. 

Great River Water Park: Great River Water Park will be closed for the summer starting May 31. 

Aquatics memberships: Summer aquatics memberships are available for purchase online.

ComoTown's
Dinosaur Expedition Now Open!

ComoTown is open with a new Life-Like Dinosaur Experience: Dinosaur Expedition - opened May 24th!

10am to 6 pm park hours
10:30am to 5pm dino park hours

Parks & Rec Programs

Summer camps and activities: Full and half-day camps for youth of all ages. Costs range from free up to $250.

Summer Rec Check: Free program for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Thursday from 1-4pm at 23 sites. 

Summer S'more Fun: $42/day for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm at 3 sites. Limited spots available.

Recreation in Motion: This drop-in activity brings outdoor summer fun to your neighborhood! This free, drop-in youth program offers athletic programs, STEM challenges, arts and crafts, games, and other organized activities led by the fun and energetic Rec in Motion team. Snacks will be served at each session. This is a free activity. No pre-registration is required. 

Nature Pop Ups: Join the Recreation in Motion team learn about pollinators, fossils, weather, animals, plants, and more through science experiments, games, and crafts. Free and no pre-registration necessary - just stop by!

Energy Assistance

Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program helps to pay those energy and water bills. You may apply online or in person.

You can also apply through the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties (CAPRW). The CAPRW site lists the St. Paul location, hours, and phone number to call for questions.