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Parks and Rec Facilities

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1. Who do I contact if a problem arises during my rental?

Contact the Park Permit Office at 651-632-5111- Monday-Friday between 7 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact the Weekend Supervisor at 651-248-2525 after 4 p.m. or on weekends.
Contact Park Security at 651-248-1732 if you are unable to reach either of the above numbers.

2. Can I make online reservations?

Yes, you can make reservations online. Permits and Rentals

3. When can I make a reservation for a picnic shelter, pavilion or building?

Reservations for the current year are accepted the first business day in January for Saint Paul residents and in February for non-residents.
Newell Building, Como Streetcar Station, and Irvine Park can be reserved 13 months in advance for Saint Paul residents and 12 months in advance for non-residents.

4. Is there a fee to use a picnic facility?

Yes, contact the Park Permit Office for rental fees.

5. Do I need a deposit to hold a picnic facility?

No, we do not “hold” picnic facilities so a deposit is not required. In order to rent a picnic facility, the full amount of the rental fee is due when you make your reservation.

6. What is the latest I can reserve a picnic facility?

Seven calendar days in advance of an event.

7. Can I use a picnic shelter if it is not reserved?

Yes, picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis if they are not reserved. However, if reserved, the renter has exclusive use of the picnic shelter for the entire time listed on the permit.

8. Who do I contact to tour the inside of a picnic facility?

Contact the Park Permit Office at 651-632-5111 to make arrangements.
NOTE: Facility tours are a maximum of 15 minutes and are scheduled between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tours are not meant for planning meetings or to practice setting up.

9. What is the difference between a shelter and pavilion?

Shelters have rooftops over the picnic tables and have smaller seating capacities
(40-100 people) and are considered open –air facilities.
Most pavilions have rooftops over the picnic tables; walls on four sides and have larger seating capacities (200-300 people) and kitchen facilities.

10. Is there electricity available at the picnic pavilions and shelters?

All picnic pavilions and shelters (except Phalen Shelter) have electrical outlets (110 volts – standard household electricity).
NOTE: Multiple crock pots, coffee pots, and roasters may cause overloads on power source.

11. What time will the picnic facility be unlocked for my rental?

Staff arrives approximately 15 minutes prior to your reservation start time to open the picnic facility and will lock up when your event is finished.

12. Can I arrive early to set up and stay late to clean up if no one is using the facility before or after my event?

No. Set up and clean up times should be included in your total rental time when you make your reservation.

13. Do picnic facilities have restrooms?

Yes, there are restrooms at all of the picnic facilities. Some restrooms are within the facility and some are within a short distance of the facility.

14. Which side of the Como Picnic Pavilion is closest to the parking lot?

The south side of the pavilion is closest to the parking lot.

15. How many parking permits do I receive with my Irvine Park reservation?

You receive 20% of your estimated attendance. Parking permits allow guests to park on the street where posted signs indicate “parking by permit only.”
NOTE: Permits do not guarantee availability.

16. Can I consume alcohol in a City park?

The possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in City parks, except as designated below:
The possession and consumption of non-intoxicating malt liquor (containing not more than 3.2% alcohol by weight) is permitted from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. within the designated picnic areas in Cherokee, Como, Harriet Island, Highland, and Phalen parks and at Rice and Arlington, McMurray and Dunning fields. Glass beverage containers are not allowed.
City of Saint Paul ordinance prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol in all other City parks.

17. Can I use a tent or canopy for my event?

All tents/canopies require a site fee and written permission from the Park Permit Office and must be included in your reservation. Tents/canopies cannot be erected at all sites, and some sites only “weighted” (non-staked) tents/canopies can be used.

18. Do I have to hire a caterer for my event?

You are not required to hire a caterer. However, if you do and your event has an estimated attendance of 250 or more, you are required to hire a caterer from the Approved Caterers List.
(Approved Caterers List available upon request.)

19. How can I add my caterer to the Park Permit Approved Caterers list?

Your caterer can contact the Park Permit Office at 651-632-5111 or email parkspermits@ci.stpaul.mn.us to obtain an application. There is a $150.00 annual fee to be on the Approved Caterers List.

20. Do I need a permit to use a fire ring?

No. Fire rings are available on a first come, first served basis. All rules regarding fires must be followed. Rules are posted at the fire rings or on our website at www.stpaul.gov .
NOTE: Firewood is not provided.

21. How do I reserve the ball fields next to the Como Picnic Pavilion?

Contact Northwest Como Recreation Center at 651-298-5813 for availability and reservations.

22. When do the park restrooms open and close for the season?

The restrooms open the first day of the picnic season, which is typically the first fill weekend in May and close the last weekend in September/first week in October.

23. When do the water features at Irvine, Rice, Kellogg, and Mears come on for the season?

Typically they are operating from mid-May through the end of September, weather permitting.