Swimming Lesson Registration Opens on August 12

Fall swimming lesson registration at Great River Water Park opens Monday, August 12. Lessons are FREE for Saint Paul youth! Enrollment is open to all Saint Paul youth on a first-come, first-served basis. Lessons will be available to browse online starting on August 9.

Volunteers needed for Saint Paul Bike Classic

The Saint Paul Bike Classic provides riders two loops to choose from, bringing them through many of Saint Paul's beautiful parks, with checkpoints along the way for breaks and parties! This Saint Paul biking event on September 8 is in need of volunteers from many roles before, during, and after the Classic. Volunteers are a valuable part of running a fun and safe event. 

Youth Summer Camps & Programs--there's still time to enjoy summer!

How is it already August?! Falls seems to be quickly approaching but we still have plenty of fun ways to soak up summer! 

• Summer camps and activities
• Summer S'more Fun
• Summer Rec Check 
  • The following sites currently have openings: Hayden Heights, Highwood Hills, McDonough, and Wilder. (Note: Registration for school-year Rec Check, for students who are in grades 1-5 for the 2024-2025 school year, is open with more available centers.)
• Recreation in Motion
• Nature Pop Ups

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. 

• August 12-15 *next week!
• August 19-22

Como Park Japanese Obon Festival August 18

Music, martial arts, singing, dancing, drumming, delicious food, vendors, games, and other aspects of Japanese culture will be featured at the annual Como Park Japanese Obon Festival, a family-friendly event, reminiscent of Japan’s annual Obon holiday, on Sunday, August 18, 2024 on the grounds of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory from 3:00pm – 9:00pm. At the end of the Obon festival, lanterns are released onto the water so that the spirits can return to the other world. Advanced tickets are required--no at the gate sales will be available. 

NOW SHOWING: 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. Movies begin at dusk. Some events may have pre-show activities or food trucks (Vendors are being updated on the Movies in the Parks webpage as they are confirmed.)

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.

• Ordway Inside Out (Rice Park): Experience the beauty of classical music and opera in a unique outdoor setting under the open sky.
• Saint Paul Get Down music showcases (various locations): Multiple showtimes featuring upcoming local hip-hop artists
• 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. 

2024-2025 Saint Paul Youth Commission applications open

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.

Pools, beach and other aquatics updates

• Open Water Swim at Lake Phalen will run Saturdays from 9-11am through August 10.
• 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 next week on 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. 

Get outdoors! 

• Fitness in the Parks: This program offers free, drop-in outdoor exercise classes in many of Saint Paul’s beautiful parks. 
• 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--available openings for events in September-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 (Aug 31) - Great for families with young children!
  • Community Science Meetup (Aug 31) - Learn about our diverse and interconnected ecosystem. 

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.

Come work with us! 

Apply online today!

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. 

• Parks Worker I (Seasonal/Temporary)
• Youth Field/Gym Monitor 
• 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.