Project Overview

A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has been awarded to the City of Saint Paul for improvements at the Conway Park Play Area. The scope of the project will include removal of the existing play equipment and surfacing, new play equipment and surfacing, new site furnishings, and landscaping as funding allows.

Project Updates

Survey #2 is now available!
Please click on the link below to share your thoughts about the play equipment concepts for the new play area at Conway Park!

Click here to take the survey

April 20, 2026

Project staff will be at the Conway Recreation Center on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 for the Earth Day Cleanup event to share initial concepts for the new play equipment at Conway Park! The concepts and a survey to collect feedback will also be posted on the project website after the event.

February 10, 2026

A survey was available between December 2025 and February 2026. Thanks for your feedback! A summary of the comments received can be found below. Project staff will use this feedback to develop concepts for the play equipment and site improvements. Check back soon for more updates and opportunities to share your feedback!

Image showing the results from survey #1 for the Conway Park Play Area improvements.
January 8, 2026

Project staff will be at the Conway Recreation Center on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 at 2pm to share project information and engage with community members during the food distribution event. Staff will also be meeting with kids at the Conway after school program on Thursday, January 15th.

December 2, 2025

Staff virtually attended the Southeast Community Organization's Land-use Committee meeting on December 1, 2025 to share project information about the new Conway Park Play Area. The slides that were shared at this meeting can be found here:  

Images of the slides are below:

Conway Park Play Area Improvements
Project context - the Conway Park play area is located directly south of the community center building.
Project Overview - improvements will include removal and replacement of play equipment and play area surfacing, new site furnishings as needed, landscaping, and public art. The project is funded through a Community Development Block Grant of $650,000. Community engagement and design will take place now through Spring of 2026, construction documents will be prepared by summer, and the project will go out for bid late-summer 2026. Construction will either begin in fall of 2026 or spring of 2027.
Community Engagement - many opportunities for community engagement will occur throughout the project both at the play area and in partnership with the District Council. Staff will also meet with kids at the after school program to engage with them. Online surveys will be available and updates and project information will be posted on the project website.
Next steps - continue community engagement and begin conceptual design. Reach out to project manager, Katie Hamerlinck with questions (katie.hamerlinck@ci.stpaul.mn.us or 651-266-6414)

Preliminary Project Schedule

Date
Phase
Nov 2025 – Jan 2026Project Start, Schematic Design, and Community Engagement
Feb 2026 – Mar 2026Design Development and Community Engagement
Apr 2026 – Dec 2026Community Engagement and Construction Documents
Winter 2026/2027Bidding
Spring 2027Construction start (pending bids and weather)
Fall 2027Target Opening Date