Common Cent 1% Sales Tax Projects

Last November, Saint Paul voters approved a 1% increase to the local option sales tax to be used for repairs and improvements to streets, bridges, parks and recreational facilities within the city. This “Common Cent” approach will generate $246 million for Parks and Recreation projects.

Recently completed projects include new pickleball courts at Webster Park and Orchard Park, a new multi-use synthetic turf field at Jimmy Lee/Oxford Community Center, three new soccer fields at Highwood Hills Recreation Center, dozens of deferred maintenance projects, and more. For a list of current and recently completed Parks and Recreation Common Cent projects, visit the Parks and Recreation 1% Sales Tax webpage.

Play Area Improvements

We recently celebrated the grand openings of new play play areas at Hazel Park and Hayden Heights Recreation Centers. Play area improvement projects are also underway at South Saint Anthony Park, Duluth & Case Recreation Center, Harriet Island Regional Park, Linwood Recreation Center, Prospect Park, Groveland Recreation Center, and Merriam Park Recreation Center. Timelines vary by location. For updates and information, visit the Play Area Projects webpage. 

Athletic Court Improvements

Improvements to athletic courts are taking place starting in September at Dunning Sports Complex, Langford Park Rec Center, Arlington Arkwright Park, North Dale Rec Center, West Minnehaha Rec Center, Linwood Rec Center, South Saint Anthony Park, Newell Park, Clayland Park, Edgcumbe Rec Center and Homecroft Park. Improvements and timelines vary by location. For a detailed project list and timelines, see the Athletic Court Projects page. These projects are funded through the Common Cent Sales Tax.

Wakan Tipi Center & Phalen Creek Daylighting

Earlier this summer, we celebrated the construction kick-off of the Wakan Tipi Center. Named Wakan Tipi Center to honor the significance of Wakan Tipi Cave as a Dakota sacred site, the mission of Wakan Tipi Center is to serve as an intergenerational gathering place that honors Wakan Tipi and the maḳa paha as Daḳota sacred sites. Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi is a Native-Led, East Side environmental stewardship nonprofit centered in Dakota values. Other Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi projects include the Phalen Creek Daylighting Project. Sign up for their newsletter for updates on events, projects, volunteer programs, and community engagement opportunities. 

Pedro Park Expansion

In June, we joined together with Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, Friends of Pedro Park and community partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of Pedro Park. 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. Visit the Pedro Park Project webpage for updates. 

Victoria Park Multi-Use Athletic Field Construction

We celebrated the groundbreaking of a new multi-use turf athletic field at Victoria Park in August. The new field, anticipated to open in Spring 2025, will be located near the intersection of Victoria Way and Adrian Street and will be programmed for soccer, youth baseball, softball, flag football and lacrosse. Visit the Victoria Park project webpage for updates and more details.

North End Community Center Construction

Construction is well underway on the new North End Community Center, a 25,000 sq ft space with multi-purpose community rooms, a teaching kitchen, youth and teen rooms, a gymnasium, dance room, fitness room, study room, outdoor courtyard and more. Outdoor enhancements include a new multi-use artificial turf field, playground area, sepak takraw/badminton courts, picnic areas, underground storm water treatment, off-street parking, paved plaza, lighting, accessibility improvements, and additional non-programmed green space. The building is anticipated to open this winter. 

Mississippi River Learning Center

The City of Saint Paul, along with the Great River Passage Conservancy, Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service, have selected architecture firm VJAA and landscape architects at TEN x TEN to lead a team to advance the new Mississippi River Learning Center. Their work on the next phase of this project includes completing design and construction documents, building on the schematic design and furthering the programming and engagement progress completed on the project to date. For more information and updates, visit the Mississippi River Learning Center project page.

Míča Park Construction & Uŋčí Makhá Park/MRB Crossing Mural 

Construction is underway on Míča Park within the new Highland Bridge neighborhood. The new park will include a futsal court, irrigation, open lawn spaces, native plantings and trees, and an area for potential future community gardens. The park is expected to be completed later this year.

A new mural that tells the Dakota creation story is also underway at MRB Crossing within Uŋčí Makhá Park. The mural is painted by Right Track interns working along with artists Elissa Cedarleaf-Dahl and Missy Whitehead. A celebration will be held later this fall. 

Visit the Highland Bridge Parks webpage for updates on these projects. 

Central Village Trail Resurfacing Project

Construction is underway on the Central Village trails resurfacing project. The project will consist of a mill and overlay of the existing bituminous trail at a consistent 10’ ft. width, removal of the existing trail’s concrete border, and include measures to deter vehicles from entering the shared-use path. Construction is expected to take three weeks. This project boundary will be limited the utility easement which the trail is located. No other disruptions are expected. For more information on Central Village Park projects visit the Central Village Park Project webpage.

Phalen Regional Park Trailhead

The new Phalen Regional Park Trailhead facility is under construction at the corner of East Shore Drive and Arlington Avenue.  It will provide a needed amenity on the east side of Lake Phalen to rest and recharge and connect Lake Phalen to the Bruce Vento Trail.  The trailhead includes a sheltered space with tables, a drinking fountain, benches, trail maps, and an opportunity to use the restroom. Construction is anticipated to wrap up this fall, with potential for landscape improvements completed in the spring of 2025. For updates on this and other Phalen Regional Park projects, visit the Phalen Regional Park Projects webpage. 

Hamline Avenue Trail Project

Construction is underway on the Hamline Avenue Trail, an 8’ wide multi-use trail on the west side of Hamline Avenue between Highland Parkway and Montreal Avenue. The project includes the bituminous trail, ADA upgrades along Hamline Avenue, stormwater management, and landscape restoration. Construction is planned to be complete this fall.

New Park at the Heights

The former Hillcrest Golf Course site, now called “The Heights”, includes 112 acres of land in the northeast corner of Saint Paul. As part of the 2022 plan, the development will include a 5-acre city-owned park. Saint Paul Parks and Recreation will lead visioning, planning and construction. Visit the Park at the Heights project webpage for updates and information.