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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.
August 3, 2021 Update: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What should I know before I visit?
- Are there any parks and recreation closures at this time?
- 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 youth in need?
- What are Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's general rules and regulations?
- Where can I find more City of Saint Paul COVID-19 information?
- How can I contact you?
What should I know before I visit?
- Saint Paul Parks and Recreation programs and facilities are in compliance with CDC guidelines and we ask that all visitors also comply with current CDC guidelines when visiting our parks and recreation facilities.
- Masks are required for all City staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, while inside all City-owned buildings, including recreation centers, fitness centers, batting cages, and the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
- Masks are required both indoors and outdoors at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.
- Masks are required for staff and participants of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation programs, including Rec Check and S’more Fun, while outdoors when a 6ft distance cannot be maintained.
- CDC guidelines recommend wearing masks in outdoor crowded settings or while participating in outdoor activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
- Please maintain a 6ft distance from those outside your household, both indoors and outdoors.
- Please stay home if you are ill or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
- Saint Paul recreation centers, fitness centers and walking tracks, Rice and Arlington batting cages and Great River Water Park have reopened for regular public hours with no advance reservations required to enter the buildings.
- Advance reservations are required for Como Park Zoo & Conservatory visitors.
- All other parks and recreation facilities and amenities are open, unless otherwise noted our closures and special notices page.
- All regular park rules and regulations apply.
Are any roads closed to vehicle traffic for expanded social distancing?
No, four temporary road closures stood up this spring to support community members engaging in physically distant outdoor activities have reopened as of July 8, 2021. As the City of Saint Paul continues to learn from the pandemic and adapt and respond to the needs of our community, these closures will remain a part of the conversation. Residents interested in learning about current and future plans and projects, including pending master plan updates for Mississippi River Boulevard and East Como Boulevard, should visit the future park planning webpage and subscribe to updates.
Is Saint Paul providing free meal service to youth 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 youth at park facilities across the city.
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.
Contact Us
Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Department
ParksCustomerService@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Ph: 651-266-6400
Monday – Friday
7:30am – 4:30pm
