Movies in the Parks premieres next week

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. Movies begin at dusk. Some events may have pre-show activities or food trucks that will be announced closer to the movie showing.

Volunteers needed for Kaboom! playground build at Hayden Heights

Volunteers are needed to help build a new playground at Hayden Heights Recreation Center on July 25-27. This special chance for the community to partake in the build is made possible by a partnership with Kaboom! Breakfast, lunch, and supplies will be provided. Volunteers must be 18+. Activities will be available for youth under 18.

The construction of the park will take place in sun or rain. Please come prepared for the weather in clothes that are comfortable and can get dirty or stained with paint. Only closed shoes will be allowed. We will celebrate completion of the project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 27 at 2:30pm.

2024-2025 Saint Paul Youth Commission applications available

To be eligible for the Youth Commission, youth must:

• Live in the City of Saint Paul   
• Be in 9th-12th grade while serving on the Commission  
• Commit 6-10 hours a month, Sept - May 
• Have a desire to make Saint Paul the best city to live and thrive 

This school year commitment meets every other week and is a great opportunity to make a difference in the community they live in, meet other students with similar interests, and grow leadership skills. Dinner and transportation is provided and a $400 stipend at the end of the year. 

Submit an application by August 18.

Contact Stephany.Lopez@ci.stpaul.mn.us with any questions.

Free Summer Meals

Free meals and snacks for youth 18 years of age and under and enrolled in an enrichment program are available throughout the school year and summer. These meals are made possible through a partnership with Youthprise and Saint Paul Public Schools. Meal schedules are available online.

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. 

Pools, beach and other aquatics updates

• Splash pads open daily, 9am-9pm.
• Phalen Beach, Highland Park Aquatic Center, and Como Regional Park Pool open daily. Hours and offered programs (open swim, lap swim, open water swim, water aerobics) vary by location so check the websites for details. 
• Great River Water Park is closed for the summer.
• Summer aquatics memberships are available for purchase online.
• Sailing lessons on Lake Phalen have upcoming sessions beginning this week or the week of July 29.
• No boat? No problem! Our partners offer a variety of watercraft rentals and boat rides to get you out on the water, including kayak, canoe, paddle board, swan boat, pontoon boat, fishing boat, or riverboat ride. 

Mississippi River Flood Notice

While river levels are receding, several parkland areas, trails, and facilities in Saint Paul still 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.

Youth Summer Camps & Programs

We're halfway through summer (where does the time go?!) but we still have plenty of fun ways to soak it all up! 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.  

• 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. 
• 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.
• Recreation in Motion: This free, drop-in activity brings outdoor summer fun to your neighborhood! Snacks will be served at each session. 
• Nature Pop Ups: Learn about pollinators, fossils, weather, animals, plants, and more through science experiments, games, and crafts with this free, drop-in program. 

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP: Aviation and Rockets at Linwood Recreation Center

For participants ages 9-15 to design, build and launch their own rockets and gliders. By incorporating each day's lesson in aerodynamics, students will work to improve their rocket or glider's time aloft, distance and accuracy. Tangential topics in music, poetry, and literature will also accompany each day's lesson. Camps run 12:30-4:30pm, Monday through Thursday the week they are offered. Camp cost $200 and scholarships are available. 

• July 22-25
• August 12-15
• August 19-22

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.

• Groovin' in the Garden (Como Park Zoo & Conservatory): Select Wednesdays from 6-8pm
• Lunchtime Series (Mears Park): Tuesdays and Wednesdays over the noon lunch hour
• Lowertown Sounds (Mears Park): Thursdays through August
• Summer Nights in Rice (Rice Park): Select Thursdays from 5-7pm
• Como Lakeside Pavilion* (Como Regional Park): Dates and times vary; Some events may charge admission 
• City House* (Mississippi Downtown Riverfront): Dates and times vary

*Please note, these locations are restaurants so outside food and beverages are not allowed. 

Get outdoors! 

• Fitness in the Parks: This program offers free, drop-in outdoor exercise classes in many of Saint Paul’s beautiful parks. 
• Fishing Nights: In partnership with Baztec, these free, drop-in events will take place on the NW side of Phalen Lake. 
  • August 13; 6-8pm
• 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:
  • ExploraTots (third Wed and Thur of the month) and PreK Nature Adventure (July 27, Aug 31) - Great for families with young children!
  • Community Science Meetup (July 27, Aug 31) - Learn about our diverse and interconnected ecosystem. 
  • Small Mammal Survey (Aug 3) - Spend some time outside in a beautiful park, learn about our mammal neighbors, and contribute to scientific study.
  • 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.

Come work with us! 

Many seasonal positions still available! 

Apply online today!

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. 

• Horticulture Curator (Full Time) *DEADLINE APPROACHING
• Youth Field/Gym Monitor *NEW!
• Urban Forestry Technician *NEW!
• Parks Worker I (Seasonal/Temporary)
• Community Recreation Leader (Part Time/Full Time)
• Official/Umpire (Contract) 

We are always looking for volunteers!

Dine by the water

• 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 BUT IS SCHEDULED TO REOPEN SATURDAY, JULY 13. PLEASE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.