Downtown Summer in the Parks

Join us for a vibrant lineup of activities for everyone to enjoy. Our downtown parks are home to live music, art, food trucks, festivals, and more.
Events and Activities
Mayor Carter in winter in front of cathedral
Mayor Carter in winter in front of cathedral

Mayor Melvin Carter

Melvin Carter is the 46th, and first African-American mayor of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Capital City.

A fifth-generation Saint Paul resident, Mayor Carter leads with an unapologetic equity agenda. Since taking office in 2018, his accomplishments include raising the city’s minimum wage to $15/hour; tripling free programs in rec centers; eliminating late fines in public libraries; reestablishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund; expanding immigrant & refugee support resources, and launching an Office of Financial Empowerment. One signature initiative is CollegeBound Saint Paul, Mayor Carter’s plan to start every child born in the city with a $50 College Savings Account, starting January 1, 2020.

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Council

City Council

As the legislative body, the City Council is responsible for setting City policy through ordinances and resolutions. The Council also has sole responsibility for adopting the City’s budget. The Council legislates by passing Ordinances which become City laws. The Council also makes performance auditing decisions and monitors the operation and performance of city agencies and holds regular oversight hearings on city departments to determine how programs are working and whether budgeted funds are being spent well. In its decision-making roles, the City Council actively involves the public through its weekly public meetings.

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Latest News

Saint Paul Public Works Addressing Ongoing Vandalism to Storm Sewer Drains 

6/26/2025 Public Works

The City of Saint Paul’s Public Works Department is actively addressing unusual and repeated vandalism of storm sewer drains that has affected more than 150 catch basins across Saint Paul. Public Works has received multiple reports of unknown persons removing storm drain sewer grates and then dropping the grates into the storm drains. This dangerous behavior leaves an open hole and poses significant public safety hazards to pedestrians, bikes, and vehicles in the neighborhoods.   

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4th of July Weekend Updates

6/26/2025 Parks & Recreation

Events, closures, and health and safety reminders for the 4th of July weekend.

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Parks & Recreation Weather & Storm Updates

6/20/2025 Parks & Recreation

Information on heat, snow, or other weather-related closures or programming adjustments at Saint Paul Parks and Recreation parks and facilities.

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Saint Paul City Council Announces Community Advisor Appointment to the Audit Committee

6/12/2025 City Council

Announcing appointment of Noah McVay as Community Advisor to the Audit Committee

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News Room

Last Edited: June 30, 2025