Mississippi River Flood Notice
Due to rising water levels in the Mississippi River, several parkland areas, trails, and facilities in Saint Paul have temporary closures. Please be aware that water levels can change quickly and without warning. Follow all posted signage, do not pass barricades, never enter flooded water, and follow all safety guidance. Your cooperation is essential in ensuring community safety.
See Closures & Special Notices for current park closures and updates.
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Updates for the 4th of July Holiday
As you celebrate, please remember that we all have a responsibility to ensure the safety of those around us as we enjoy our public spaces.
- All are welcome to use our parks and recreation center properties to celebrate responsibly, but use of fireworks is not permitted. Please be mindful of park areas that are currently impacted by flooding.
- This will be a busy period for our staff. Your help in keeping our parks clean is much appreciated.
- With the exception of authorized picnic areas, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited at parks and recreation center properties.
- All recreation centers will be closed on July 4, with the exception of 4th of July activities taking place at Langford Park Recreation Center.
- The annual 4th in the Park parade and celebration will take place at Langford Park on July 4. The parade starts at 11am and activities including pony rides, live music, food trucks and more take place in the park throughout the afternoon.
- Catch the fireworks after a St. Paul Saints baseball game at CHS Field on July 3-5.
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Music in the Parks shows take place at 12pm and 3pm on July 4 at Como Lakeside Pavilion's Dock and Paddle restaurant.
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Como Park Zoo & Conservatory will be open from 10am-6pm on July 4.
- Due to firework damage to several athletic courts in recent years, the following courts will be locked from 6pm - 9am from July 3-7: Battle Creek, Conway, Dayton’s Bluff, Eastview, Frogtown, Groveland, Hamline Park, Hayden Heights, Hazel Park, Highwood Hills, Langford, MLK, Palace, Prosperity, Rice, and St. Clair.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!
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 NEW! Open water swimming at Lake Phalen
Enjoy open water swimming this summer in Saint Paul’s Lake Phalen! Follow this 500 yard course marked with buoys and staffed by waterfront certified lifeguards.
Participant information
- Must be 18+
- Open Swim sessions will be held on Saturdays from July 6 – August 10 (6 sessions), from 9-11am.
Registration
- Cost is $15/resident and $18.75/non-resident.
- Pass holders are issued and required to wear an official participant swim cap (included in registration fee).
- Participants must enroll online prior to swimming, and there is no onsite enrollment at Lake Phalen. If you would prefer to register in-person, please visit the Como Regional Park Pool or the Highland Parks Aquatic Center.
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Youth Kayak League
Twin Cities Paddlesports is offering a beginner kayaking league for youth ages 10-14 at Lake Phalen. Paddling dates are June 17 - August 10, with both practice and racing opportunities. No prior paddle experience is necessary. All boats, paddles, and life vests provided. Registration is required.
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Pools, beach and other aquatics updates
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Splash pads open daily, 9am-9pm.
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Phalen Beach, Highland Park Aquatic Center, and Como Regional Park Pool open daily. Hours and offered programs (open swim, lap swim, water aerobics) vary by location so check the websites for details.
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Great River Water Park is closed for the summer.
- Summer aquatics memberships are available for purchase online.
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Sailing lessons on Lake Phalen have upcoming sessions beginning the week of July 8 or the week of July 29.
- No boat? No problem! Our partners offer a variety of watercraft eentals and boat rides to get you out on the water, including kayak, canoe, paddle board, swan boat, pontoon boat, fishing boat, or riverboat ride.
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New play area open at Hazel Park Recreation Center
This week we hosted a ribbon cutting for the latest play area in Saint Paul at Hazel Park Recreation Center. The recreation center hosted a Family Picnic & Water Games event as part of the festivities that included bouncy house, climbing tower, (a very popular) foam machine, water balloon toss contest, puppet show and more! Additionally, an artist will be installing mosaic trash receptacles at the play area later this summer. Come on by and check it out!
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 Amazing Race 2024: Medieval Mayhem
Registration closes tomorrow, June 28
July 12 | 12 - 6:30pm | Cherokee Regional Park
(transportation provided to and from your team's rec center)
Here ye! Here ye! Join us for the 2024 Amazing Race: Medieval Mayhem! Compete on a team with fellow rec center participants. Be the first team to complete all the challenges, solve all the clues, and ultimately finish the race to be named the next Knights of the Realm.
This is a free activity. Participants must be between 7 and 13 years old on the day of the event.
Registration for the 2024 Amazing Race is open. Participants may register for the rec center team of their choosing. Sign up online or call your local recreation center. Hurry, registration closes tomorrow, June 28!
These recreation centers are still looking for teammates!
- Dayton's Bluff, Duluth & Case, El Rio Vista, Frogtown, Hayden Heights, Hazel Park, Highwood Hills, Linwood, McDonough, Merriam Park, Palace, Rice, and Wilder
Hidden Falls Regional Park Improvements
Improvements are planned for the overlook and north entrance at Hidden Falls Regional Park. Learn more on the Hidden Falls Regional Park Projects webpage and provide feedback by taking the surveys below.
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Youth Fall Sports registration closes June 30
We know summer has barely started, but our fall sports registration is open! 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.) Registration will remain open though June 30.
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Rescheduled Pedro Park groundbreaking
The City of Saint Paul, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, Friends of Pedro Park and community partners will join together on Tuesday, July 16 at 3:30 p.m. to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Pedro Park in downtown Saint Paul. The expanded Pedro Park is anticipated to open in July 2025 as downtown Saint Paul’s newest park, complete with a picnic shelter, cafe tables, seating, dog run, play area, gardens, plaza space, tree plantings and open lawn area.
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Dinosaur Expedition at Como Town
When was the last time you went on a prehistoric adventure? Visit Dinosaur Expedition at Como Town and see the world's most incredible dinosaurs up close and personal. Entry is $10 per person (children under 1 year old are free) and timed entry reservations are required daily between 10:30am-5pm.
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Summer Rec Check
Summer Rec Check is a free program for those entering grades 1-6 this fall offered on Monday-Thursday from 1-4pm. Staff lead participants in activities including arts and crafts, gardening, sports and fitness, gym games, field trips, and more! Registration is required. The following sites currently have openings:
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Youth Summer Camps & Programs
School is out for summer! So that means it's REALLY time to get those summer calendars in order. Browse our offerings for youth summer programming. From full day to just a couple hours, to fit variety of interests with many free options or scholarships available for paid programs.
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Summer camps and activities: Full and half-day camps for youth of all ages. Costs range from free up to $250. Drop-in and registration options available.
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Summer S'more Fun: $42/day for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm at 3 sites. Registration required. Limited spots available.
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Recreation in Motion: This free, drop-in activity brings outdoor summer fun to your neighborhood! Snacks will be served at each session.
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Nature Pop Ups: Learn about pollinators, fossils, weather, animals, plants, and more through science experiments, games, and crafts with this free, drop-in program.
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July Camp Grid
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Upcoming Events
More Events
 Looking for ways to get your skate on? Multiple recreation centers are hosting roller skating parties all summer!
All things summer!
Music in the Parks
Enjoy outdoor music in Saint Paul's beautiful parks all summer long! All events are free unless otherwise noted. Events are weather permitting and subject to change without notice.
*Please note, these locations are restaurants so outside food and beverages are not allowed.
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Final call for Saint Paul Get Down Artists
The Saint Paul Get Down is a hip-hop music showcase for young people 14-24 years old. The application deadline has been extended but this is your final chance to apply! Emerging artists will have an opportunity to write, record, and produce their own music, including free studio time and mentorship, an opportunity to play a set at a selected venue (schedule listed on our Music in the Park webpage), as well as earn a chance to open for a headlining act at the Target Stage on Harriet Island.
Submit an application now and let's GET DOWN! For more information, email mario.stokes@ci.stpaul.mn.us
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Movies in the Parks
Bring along a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a starlit night of fun with friends and family! Movies in the Parks provides a wide range of outdoor films at parks and recreation centers around Saint Paul. These events are free and open to the public.
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Get outdoors!
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Fitness in the Parks: This program offers free, drop-in outdoor exercise classes in many of Saint Paul’s beautiful parks.
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Fishing Nights: In partnership with Baztec, these free, drop-in events will take place on the NW side of Phalen Lake.
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Restore! events: These events, hosted in partnership with, Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi, are intended for individual or small groups to help restore this park and be community stewards in the preservation of the Dakota sacred site, Wakáŋ Tipi. Dates available for pre-registration--June and July currently full but taking waitlists. Next available openings for August-October.
- Our Natural Resources team hosts a variety of activities for all ages to get you outside and exploring nature in your local parks. All activities are free but some do require pre-registration. Programs include:
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ExploraTots (third Wed and Thur of the month) and PreK Nature Adventure (June 29, July 27, Aug 31) - Great for families with young children!
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Community Science Meetup (June 29, July 27, Aug 31) - Learn about our diverse and interconnected ecosystem.
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Small Mammal Survey (Aug 3) - Spend some time outside in a beautiful park, learn about our mammal neighbors, and contribute to scientific study.
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Blooming Saint Paul nominating events (Mondays and Tuesdays in July)- Wander through your neighborhood to look for community members and landmarks bringing life and color to our streets.
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Come work with us!
Many seasonal positions still available!
Work outdoors this summer for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation! We have many full and part-time positions available at parks, rec centers, golf courses, athletic complexes, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and more. Positions available for ages 16 and up.
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Dine by the water
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City House is located in the historic Municipal Elevator and Sackhouse building along the Sam Morgan Regional Trail at 258 Mill Street. City House is open 11am - 9pm daily and features live music on select dates. *NOTE: DUE TO FLOODING, CITY HOUSE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. PLEASE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR REOPENING UPDATES.
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Dock & Paddle is located within the Como Lakeside Pavilion in Como Park. Dock & Paddle is open 9am - 9pm daily (kitchen open 11am - 8:30pm). They host numerous shows and performances throughout the summer. (Please note that some events may charge admission.)
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