About Rec Reimagined

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

Some of our amenities are currently closed 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.

Effective August 3, 2021: Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter issued new masking guidance for indoor spaces in Saint Paul along with requirements for staff and City-owned buildings. As data continues to emerge demonstrating the Delta variant’s heightened rate of transmission among both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents, the City of Saint Paul is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and encouraging everyone to resume masking when indoors and requiring masks for all staff and visitors in City-owned buildings, regardless of vaccination status, effective immediately. 

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

NEW! Fall events

From bonfires to Halloween parties, recreation centers across the city are offering in-person and drive through options for spooky family fun!

Attend an event

NEW! 2021 Fall Activities

Fall activity registration is open. Activities and events are available for all ages. 

Browse all Fall Activities Browse by Recreation Center

NEW! Rec Check (new information for 2021-22 School Year)

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. 2021-22 School Year Rec Check dates and information is now available. 

Rec Check

NEW! S'more Fun (new information for 2021-22 School Year)

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

NEW! Recreation for Preschoolers (new information for 2021-22 School Year)

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

Recreation for Preschoolers

NEW! Aquatics Programs and Facilities (new information for fall hours and schedules)

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

NEW! Fitness in the Parks (new fall schedule)

Fitness in the Parks will continue with a limited schedule through September, weather permitting. Fitness in the Park classes are free and all are welcome. 

Fitness in the Parks

NEW! Movies in the Parks and Music in the Parks (new fall Movies in the Parks schedule)

Movies in the Parks scary movie series is back this fall. Events are free unless otherwise noted. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. View the schedules and visit a park for some outdoor entertainment! 

Movies in the Parks Music in the Parks

NEW! 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. 

Schedule a Workout

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 have re-opened. Reservations are required. Review the re-opening guidelines and procedures and make a reservation on the batting cage webpage.

Reserve a Batting Cage

Pickleball

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

Pickleball

Free Family Fishing Nights

Free family fishing nights are back at Phalen Regional Park. All fishing equipment and bait is provided. Just show up and fish with TipsOutdoors.

Free Family Fishing Nights

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Como Zoo and The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are reopened and taking reservations for visitors. Current health guidelines will be followed, including taking reservations to limit capacity, requiring masks, and staying at least four flamingos or one polar bear away from other guests. 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

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

Como Zoo & Conservatory is offering LIVE zookeeper talks and gardener talks. Tune in Monday and Thursday at 1:30pm on their Facebook page. Can't watch live or don't have Facebook? Visit their website for a full archive of posted videos. 

Watch Como Live videos 

Haunted Stories

Last fall, 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

Mississippi Park Connection events: Coffee with a Ranger

Coffee with a Ranger is a video series for folks at home to interact with a park ranger via Facebook Live.  Tune in every Friday at 10am to watch it live and ask questions in the comments section. (You do not need a Facebook account to watch the videos but you do need to be logged into an account to ask questions.) The series now features a live ASL interpreter. Check out Mississippi Park Connection's Facebook page to watch previous segments covering birds, flowers, beer and more!

Park Connection events

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"

Minnesota Twins Virtual Academy Webinars

These webinars are an opportunity to learn from Twins staff and Play Ball! Minnesota partners in an easy to use online platform. Presenters will cover various topics and show youth players and coaches things they can do to help their development. You can watch past webinars from Spring 2020.

Twins Webinars

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. Earlier this year, SPPL has launched Read Brave 2021, their citywide, intergenerational reading program focused on a topic relevant to our city. This year's theme is "Owning Our Stories: Rising Together for a Better Saint Paul. 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 2021 

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: October 8, 2021