Overview

The City of Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation has allocated funding from the City's new Common Cent sales tax funding source for park improvements at Groveland Recreation Center. This project includes improvements to the existing fields, tennis courts, play area, and related amenities, drainage, and accessibility on site.

Project Updates

April 14, 2026

The reconstruction of fields, courts and play area is scheduled to begin early summer 2026.  Construction documents are currently being reviewed, and a contractor should be on board in June.

Play Area

We worked with one of our leading play equipment vendors to develop a plan for play area improvements. At the end of January, we engaged approximately 250 Groveland Elementary 2nd – 5th grade students. The students reviewed play area concepts and provided feedback on their preferences of play equipment layout and components. You can use this link to view a concept rendering of the proposed play area.

The play area improvements will include separate structures for 2-5 and 5-12 year old kids. There will also be some independent events such as a spinning feature, tactile panel, brava swing, and traditional swings for children of all ages and abilities. One of the most unique pieces of the play area is a slide with an integral transfer station and incline which broadens play area accessibility. The play surfacing will be primarily engineered wood fiber. Between the play area and tennis courts there will be new benches, picnic tables, and trees.

Tennis/Basketball courts

The Tennis and Basketball courts will be reconstructed in their current location. 

Ballfields/Ice skating

The layout of the baseball fields and ice skating area will remain relatively unchanged. The ballfields will be improved with new backstops and dugouts (at grade). We will be improving accessible walk connections to both fields. The grades of the fields and ice skating surface will be shaped in order to shed water from the fields, yet flat enough to facilitate ice making. We coordinated with both baseball and ice skating stakeholders for these planned improvements. 

Site accessibility

A combination ramp and stair will be reconstructed from St. Clair to the play area and Recreation Center entrance. A new accessible route will be provided to the warming house and baseball field. A new accessible route will connect the sidewalk along Sargent and the Tennis/basketball court area. These routes will provide better accessibility to all areas of the site.