About Rec Reimagined

In order to help you stay connected, healthy, and active, we have launched a webpage where you can stay up-to-date with all of our programming options.

Some of our amenities have been adjusted or have additional restrictions in place. Before you leave your home, carefully read through our Parks & Recreation COVID-19 Information page for the most up-to-date guidelines and information.

Face masks are welcome but not required.

Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has lifted the masking requirement for staff and visitors in City-controlled facilities. Face masks are welcome and will be available for anyone wishing to wear one. Visitors are still encouraged to maintain distance from others when possible, to wash hands frequently, and to stay home if feeling sick.

Visit our COVID-19 Updates webpage for the latest information on all our parks and recreation facilities.

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation will adhere to the CDC and MN Department of Health guidance on COVID-19. Programs and procedures listed below may require modifications based on future public health recommendations.

Parks and Rec COVID-19 Updates

In-Person Programs

Seasonal Special Events

Get out and celebrate the seasons all-year long! Seasonal events are hosted at parks, recreation centers, and partner sites across the city. Most events are free and open to all ages.

Fall events Holiday and Winter events Spring events Summer events

Seasonal Activity Registration

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation offers programs and activities at parks and recreation centers throughout the cityActivities are offered for all ages.

Fall Activities Winter/Spring Activities Summer Activities and Camps

Aquatics Programs and Facilities

Como Regional Park Pool, Highland Park Aquatic Center, Phalen Beach and all splash pads are closed for the season, but Great River Water Parks is open. Visit the aquatics webpage for information hours, swimming lessons, memberships, and more. 

Aquatics

Sports registration (seeking coaches and officials!)

Saint Paul Municipal Athletics offers a wide variety of seasonal sports in league and class formats. There are additional volunteer and paid opportunities for coaches and officials. 

Youth Sports  Adult Sports  Adaptive Sports  Coaching  Officiating

Rec Check

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation offers after-school and out-of-school time care for youth at multiple recreation centers across the City. Rec Check programs are open for youth who live or attend school in Saint Paul.

Rec Check

S'more Fun 

S’more Fun is a recreational childcare program providing structured and unstructured activities designed to help children pursue their own interests, develop friendships, gain confidence, and build independence in a safe, comfortable, and fun atmosphere. 

S'more Fun

Recreation for Preschoolers 

Recreation for Preschoolers encourages children to play, socialize, and grow from daily lesson plans that prioritize educational experiences and recreation. 

Recreation for Preschoolers

Fitness Classes

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation offers free and low cost group fitness classes at our local recreation centers.

Fitness Classes

Fitness Centers

Our fitness centers and walking tracks are open. All fitness memberships have been activated. Reservations are no longer required for fitness center usage, but please follow all posted fitness center rules. Visit the webpage for updates and open hours. 

Fitness Centers & Walking Tracks

Open Gym 

Reservations are no longer required for open gym programs. Visit the webpage for updates and schedules. 

Open Gym

Tot Time

Reservations are no longer required for tot time. Visit the webpage for updates and schedules. 

Tot Time 

Rice and Arlington Batting Cages

The Rice and Arlington batting cages and multipurpose room are open.

Reserve a Batting Cage

Pickleball

Pickleball is becoming a popular sport! Learn more on signing up for lessons or finding a drop-in play site. 

Pickleball

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Como Zoo and The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are opened and taking reservations for visitors. If you're ready to visit the Zoo in person yet, scroll down to view what virtual options Como Park Zoo & Conservatory are offering. 

Como Zoo & Conservatory

Mississippi Park Connection events

With a variety of events to choose from--Bark with a Ranger, Junior Ranger Day, Picnic in the Park, and more-- you'll find something for the whole family to discover what nature there is to explore. 

Park Connection events

Bird Watching with the Saint Paul Audubon Society 

The Saint Paul Audubon Society's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Bird and wildlife hikes led by Saint Paul Audubon members are a fun way to explore the area’s many fascinating parks and wildlife areas to watch migrant and resident birds.

Watch some wildlife

Volunteer with us!

We are always looking for volunteers interested in helping out at a recreation center, taking care of a community garden, coaching a sports team, or more! 

Become a volunteer

Virtual Programs

Virtual Gardening Classes 

Learn how to expand your home garden with these free online classes taught by U of M Ramsey County Master Gardeners. Beginner and advanced gardeners welcome! 

Sign up for gardening classes 

Como Zoo & Conservatory

After two years, Como Live Virtual Legacy Learning came to an end on March 31, 2022, but you can still visit the website for a full archive of posted videos. 

Watch Como Live videos 

Haunted Stories

In Fall 2020, we asked writers to submit original stories and poems for our Haunted Story Competition. Watch our featured haunted stories then try writing your own spooky tale (it doesn't have to be Halloween to write a scary story!) Challenge yourself to include a Saint Paul landmark, location, or building. 

Watch haunted stories

Digital Rec Check

An online version of our popular Rec Check after-school program. Originally aired Spring 2020. 

Watch Rec Check

Minnesota Vikings at home workout with C.J. Ham 

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham to offer a home workout directly from his home to yours. C.J. demonstrates drills and skills you can do from your living room or yard. Read about our partnership, including thoughts from C.J. Ham and Mayor Melvin Carter, in the Viking's blog post (link below.) Follow along with the video, take a photo after your workout, and tag us on social media to let us know how you did!

Read the Vikings blog post

Minnesota United Football Club Workouts and "Funtivities" 

Try out some exercises you can do from home with Head Athletic Trainer at Minnesota United, Stacey Hardin. Then as your body cools down, warm up your brain with MNUFC-themed "funtivities" such as downloadable puzzles, word searches, mazes, and coloring pages. 

 Home Workouts with MNUFC MNUFC "Funtivities"

Self-led Programs & Resources

Regional Parks Adventure Guide

Ready for an adventure? 64 regional parks are open and ready for you to explore. The Metropolitan Council has created an adventure guide that lists all of the parks, along with activities and challenges. It's a great tool to continue exploring the outdoors. In the Twin Cities, you can get to any of our parks within an hour.

Browse the Adventure Guide 

Outdoor & Environmental Recreation

Our Explore Outdoors team has put together a variety of self-guided activities for everyone to enjoy the outdoors, whether it's visiting a local park or staying in your own backyard. This is a great resource for all your park information, virtual tours and live streams, community science projects, Nature Bingo, outdoor wellness tips, and more! 

Explore Outdoors webpage

Saint Paul Library

Saint Paul Public Library fully welcomes you back into their spaces! More details on their expanded services is available on their website. SPPL launched Read Brave, their citywide, intergenerational reading program focused on a topic relevant to our city. All ages are encouraged to "Read Brave". Check out "4 Ways to Read Brave" to get started.

Visit a Saint Paul Public Library Read Brave  

Sprockets

Sprockets is a network of many different after-school and summer programs in Saint Paul. Their vision is that all Saint Paul's youth will develop their abilities as learners, contributors, and navigators so they can recognize and achieve their greatest potential. This collaboration includes Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, Saint Paul Public Library, Saint Paul Public Schools, and other program partners. Check back as programs will be continually created and added throughout the year.

Sprockets webpage

Last Edited: February 22, 2023