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We will continue to monitor CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines and will update this page as new information becomes available. We are committed to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 in our community, and the safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority.
Highlights
- Youth summer sports registration opens March 1.
- Open gym and tot times are back at select recreation centers. Reservations must be made in advance and public health guidelines will be in place.
- Rice and Arlington batting cages have reopened. Reservations must be made in advance and public health guidelines will be in place.
- Fitness centers and walking tracks have reopened. Reservations must be made in advance and public health guidelines will be in place.
- Great River Water Park has reopened and registration for swimming lessons and lifeguard training is going on now. Advance reservations and payments are required and can be made online or by calling 651-642-0650. Visit stpaul.gov/GreatRiverWaterPark for full details and public health guidelines.
- Como Park Ski Center is closed for the season.
- Cross country ski trails will be maintained as long as conditions allow. Visit stpaul.gov/XCountrySki for locations, updates, and trail conditions.
- Ice rinks will be maintained as long as the weather cooperates. Public health guidance requires a 6 foot distance between skaters who are not part of the same household. Warming houses will not be available. Outdoor benches will be available for changing skates and taking breaks. Lights will turn off at 9pm daily, except for at Phalen, which will turn off at 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays until a new timer can be installed. Visit stpaul.gov/IceRinks for locations, updates and full details.
- S'more Fun, Rec Check and no-school day youth programs are ongoing.
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is open. Reservations must be made in advance and public health guidelines will be in place.
- Parks, playgrounds, open spaces and trails are open. Outdoor sports courts are closed for the season and will reopen in the spring. All park visitors must follow current public health guidelines including wearing a face mask, staying at least six feet apart, and not gathering with people outside of their household. Do not visit parks or trails if you are ill or at a higher risk of illness.
- See below for a full list of public health guidelines and available amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What recreational amenities are OPEN and what should I know before I visit?
- What recreational amenities are CLOSED?
- Will restrooms, drinking fountains, and ornamental fountains be available?
- Are events, rentals, programs and activities canceled?
- What programming and activities are you offering at this time?
- Are any roads still closed to vehicle traffic for expanded social distancing?
- Is Saint Paul providing free meal service to families in need?
- Where can I find multilingual COVID-19 Parks and Recreation information?
- Are there any park closures due to flooding, construction, or maintenance at this time?
- What are Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's rules and regulations?
- What additional public health guidelines and restrictions are in place in your parks at this time?
- How can I contact you?
What recreational amenities are OPEN and what should I know before I visit?
In accordance with CDC and MN Public Health guidelines, the following recreational amenities remain open, with restrictions:
- Parks, trails, and open spaces
- Stay at least six feet away from park users who are not part of your household. If this is not possible, find an alternate location or depart that space.
- If it is not possible to maintain physical distancing throughout an activity then you should only participate in that activity with members of your household.
- Follow current ‘Stay Safe MN’ guidelines for group activities. Avoid participating in unnecessary activities with people who aren't part of your household.
- Masks are required to be worn inside all Saint Paul businesses including our park facilities, parks and outdoor public spaces when 6ft social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Avoid contact with shared amenities such as picnic tables, play structures, and benches. Amenities are not sanitized and are available for use at your own risk. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if you do come in contact with shared amenities.
- Do not use parks or trails if you are sick or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
- Do not use parks or trails if you are at a higher risk of illness.
- Follow all CDC and State of MN outdoor recreation guidelines.
- Regular park rules and regulations apply.
- Parks and trails are subject to regular closures for flooding, construction, or maintenance.
- Ice Rinks
- Ice rinks will be maintained as long as the weather cooperates. Public health guidance requires a 6 foot distance between skaters who are not part of the same household. Warming houses will not be available. Outdoor benches will be available for changing skates and taking breaks. Lights will turn off at 9pm daily, except for at Phalen, which will turn off at 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays until a new timer can be installed. Visit stpaul.gov/IceRinks for locations, updates and full details
- Cross country ski trails
- Cross country ski trails will be maintained as long as conditions allow. Visit the cross country ski webpage and click the ski for cross country updates.
- Great River Water Park
- Great River Water Park is open. Reservations can be made online or by calling 651-642-0650. Visit the Great River Water Park webpage for full COVID-19 guidelines and updates.
- Playgrounds
- All guidelines and restrictions above apply.
- Playground equipment is not sanitized. Play at your own risk.
- Boat launches and fishing piers
- All guidelines and restrictions above apply.
- Dog parks
- All guidelines and restrictions above apply.
- Regular dog park rules apply.
- Athletic fields
- All guidelines and restrictions above apply.
- Field permits are available for some field locations. Please contact Municipal Athletics at 651-588-2255 for more information . Permits will have priority use on the fields.
- Follow current ‘Stay Safe MN’ guidelines for group activities and ensure a 6ft distance is maintained from those who are not a part of your household
- Fields will not be striped and goals will not be available for use, unless a permit is issued.
- Highland Park disc golf course
- All guidelines and restrictions above apply.
- Use only your own discs.
- Do not touch the baskets or other player's discs.
- Fitness centers and walking tracks
- Fitness centers and walking tracks have reopened. Public health guidelines will be in place and reservations must be made in advance.
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is open, with restrictions. Visit comozooconservatory.org for more information.
What recreational amenities are CLOSED?
- Recreation and community center buildings
- Facilities are accessible for pre-registered programs and activities only; buildings are not open for regular business hours or rentals at this time. All programs will be in compliance with CDC and MN Department of Health guidelines. Please visit our Rec Reimagined webpage for programming options.
- Skate parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, and other sports courts
- Outdoor sports courts are closed for the season and will reopen in the spring.
- Outdoor sports courts are closed for the season and will reopen in the spring.
- Seasonal aquatic facilities, water features and drinking fountains
- Seasonal pools, Phalen Beach and splash pads are closed for the season.
- Public drinking fountains will not be turned on until further notice.
- Como Park Ski Center
- Golf Courses
- Restrooms
- Restroom buildings will remain closed until further notice.
- Portable toilets have been placed in parks and are regularly serviced
- If park users see a toilet that needs attention, please call the vendor directly at the number listed on the structure.
- Restroom buildings will remain closed until further notice.
What programming and activities are you offering at this time?
We will continue to update our Rec Reimagined page with our latest virtual and in-person programs, activity ideas, and other ways to live an active lifestyle and stay connected to nature in our parks, at home, and in your own back yard.
Are any roads closed to vehicle traffic for expanded social distancing?
No. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, the City of Saint Paul will reopen three temporary road closures around Como Regional Park, Phalen Regional Park, and Cherokee Regional Park as scheduled. At this time, there are no resources, funding, or plans for the City of Saint Paul to explore or change the existing roadways from their current traffic use or continue the temporary closures.
Is Saint Paul providing free meal service to families in need?
Yes, to address growing food insecurity in Saint Paul due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is partnering with Youthprise, Arts-Us, and the Sanneh Foundation to provide free meal service to Saint Paul families at park facilities and libraries across the city.
Contact Us
Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Department
ParksCustomerService@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Ph: 651-266-6400
Monday – Friday
7:30am – 4:30pm
Language Translation Resources
If you have questions related to COVID 19 and require language support services, please contact 651-201-3920 and a representative from the Minnesota Department of Health can assist you.
Translated Flyers
- Parks and Recreation COVID-19 Infographic - English
- Parks and Recreation COVID-19 Infographic - Español
- Parks and Recreation COVID-19 Infographic - Lus Hmoob
- Parks and Recreation COVID-19 Infographic - Somali
- Parks and Recreation COVID-19 Infographic - Afaan Oromo
- Parks and Recreation COVID-19 Information - Karen
- Multilingual Social Distancing Sign
