Last Edited: December 30, 2025
In 2023, Saint Paul voters approved a 1% increase to the local option sales tax to be used for repairs and improvements to streets, bridges, parks and recreational facilities within the city. This “Common Cent” approach will generate nearly $1 billion over 20 years, of which $738 million of funds must go to streets and $246 million for parks.
The 1% local option sales and use tax was implemented on April 1, 2024. Learn more at stpaul.gov/salestax.
Each year, Saint Paul parks, trails, and recreational facilities attract more than 15 million visitors from all over the country. The average building is approaching 40 years, and coupled with years of deferred maintenance, the aging facilities are deteriorating.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has over $600 million in assets and a current deferred maintenance backlog of more than $100 million, including $60 million in critical or urgent status and $40 million set to reach critical or urgent status within the next five years.
The revenue collected over 20 years will provide $246 million for improvements and upgrades Parks and Recreation facilities throughout the city. This investment will revitalize aging parks infrastructure with a focus on the worst-condition parks, community centers, trails, connections, and athletic facilities.
The projects below are prioritized based on data points such as facility condition, identified need, and efficiencies gained through coordination with other projects. Projects listed are either complete, anticipated to begin in the near-term, or part of multi-year projects in various stages of planning, community engagement, design, or construction, and may be completed at a later date. Additional projects will be added as they are identified.
Moving forward, the department will consider many factors when selecting projects, including utilizing our 5-year plan and recently updated System Plan to assess need and guide decisions from a system-wide and equitable lens. This revenue source is a multi-year effort with significant funding, and all areas of the city will see investment over the next several years.
As projects progress, we will work to keep the community informed by providing status updates below.
These projects represent our expected timelines, but some shifts or adjustments could occur due to market conditions, bid results, weather, or other unforeseen factors. While some projects will be completed this year, others are multi-year projects in various stages of planning, community engagement, design, or construction, and may completed at a later date.
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Geothermal | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | $12,794,196 |
| Exhaust Fan & Radiation Piping Repairs | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Fern Room) | $276,300 |
| Play Features Maintenance | Highland Park Aquatic Center | $197,081 |
| Climbing Wall Replacement | Highland Park Aquatic Center | $56,678 |
| Roll Up Door Replacements | Como Central Service Facility | $100,761 |
| Drop Slide Replacement | Great River Water Park (at Oxford Community Center) | $75,571 |
| Sidewalk Replacements | Riverwalk (at Harriet Island) | $251,904 |
| Wood Siding Replacements | South St. Anthony Park Recreation Center | $274,813 |
| Fire & Security Systems | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | $671,007 |
| Forestry Roof | Como Central Service Facility | $444,055 |
| Interior and Exterior Deferred Maintenance | Mt. Airy Boys and Girls Club (Valley Recreation Center) | $1,173,319 |
| Roofing and Walls | West Minnehaha Recreation Center | $666,941 |
| Pavers | Unci Mahka Park | $28,500 |
| Exterior Doors | Highland Park Community Center | $59,101 |
| Engineering Studies | Eastview Recreation Center & Watergate Marina | $29,100 |
| Gates | Bruce Vento Trail | $7,470 |
| Concrete Patio and Access Study | Highland National Clubhouse | $12,000 |
| Exterior Doors | Phalen Recreation Center | $35,319 |
| Water Filtration | Midway Peace Park | $49,992 |
| Lighting | Highland Park Aquatic Center | $77,445 |
| Exterior Doors | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Visitor Center) | $99,546 |
| Exterior Windows | West 7th Community Center | $150,000 |
| Cloth Structures/Shade | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | $310,972 |
| Ridge Vent Motors | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Greenhouse) | $133,730 |
| Field Rejuvenation | El Rio Vista Recreation Center | $20,000 |
| HVAC | Martin Luther King Recreation Center | $35,656 |
| Doors and Operators | Como Central Service Facility | $21,307 |
| Roof | Phalen China Garden | $500,000 |
| Design | Central Village Park | $500,000 |
| Roofing and Doors | Como Central Service Facility | $514,412 |
| Public Art Maintenance | Various | $100,000 |
| Paging System | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | $49,628 |
| Staircase and Trail | Swede Hollow Park | $50,000 |
| Roofing | Martin Luther King & Hallow Q Brown Recreation Centers (combined building) | $813,175 |
| Air Conditioning Units | Martin Luther King Recreation Center | $294,588 |
| Roofing | Oxford Community Center | $781,212 |
| Air Conditioning Units | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Marine Mammal Building) | $181,370 |
| HVAC | Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center | $475,630 |
| HVAC | Hayden Heights Recreation Center | $757,941 |
| Roofing | Wilder Recreation Center | $350,600 |
| Exterior Doors, Site Development, Stairs, and Exterior Walls | Hamline Park Building | $250,000 |
| Roof & Siding | South St. Anthony Park Recreation Center | $575,187 |
| HVAC | Phalen Recreation Center | $140,476 |
| Roof | Eastview Recreation Center | $471,8729 |
| Toni Stone Stadium & site furnishings | Dunning Park | $575,000 |
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River Boulevard | Trail | $858,044* |
| Sidewalks | South St. Anthony Park | $60,732 |
| Parking Lot | Hidden Falls Overlook | $350,000 |
| Parking Lot | Phalen Regional Park (parking lot nearest the lake channel) | $500,000 |
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Victoria Park | $2,500,000* |
| Langford Park | $700,000 |
| Baker Park | $3,910,000 |
| McMurray | $2,000,000* |
| Highland Park Community Center | $125,000 |
| North Dale Recreation Center | $50,000 |
| El Rio Vista Recreation Center | $8,840 |
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball Court | Hamline Park | $125,000 |
| Fustal Court | Hamline Park | $165,000 |
| Basketball Court | Dunning Park | $250,000 |
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Victoria Park | $2,400,000* |
| South St. Anthony | $650,000* |
| Carty Park | $400,000 |
| Martin Luther King Recreation Center | $78,574 |
| Baker Park, Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Hayden Heights Recreation Center, Battle Creek Recreation Center, Boyd Park, Castillo Park (wood fiber replacement and replaced broken features) | $150,000 |
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Water Features Deferred Maintenace | $500,000 |
Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. In addition to the water features list below, other water feature improvements include:
| |
| Mears Park Stream | $100,000 |
| Chestnut Plaza/Upper Landing | $1,200,000 |
| Irvine Fountain | $350,000 |
| Raspberry Island Fountain | $50,000 |
| Splash Pad Upgrades | $150,000 |
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Downtown Improvements/Other Deferred Maintenance | $300,000 |
Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. In addition to the downtown park improvements list below, other downtown park improvements include:
| |
| Ecolab/Osborn Plaza | $4,100,000* |
| Pedro Park | $750,000 |
| Raspberry Island Bandshell | $200,000 |
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Complex Design | Current Rice & Arlington Fields and Batting Cages | $221,455* |
| Eastside Recreation Center Design | Current Duluth & Case Recreation Center | $3,300,000* |
| River Learning Center Design | Crosby Farm Regional Park | $2,500,000* |
| River Balcony Design | Downtown | $30,000 |
| The Heights Design | Former Hillcrest Golf Course (Greater East Side) | $50,000 |
| Multi-phase improvements, including fields and play area (finished projects under the "Completed Projects" dropdown menu) | Linwood Recreation Center | $2,025,000 |
| Multi-phase improvements, including fields, courts, and play area | Groveland Recreation Center | $2,735,000* |
| Multi-phase improvements, including HVAC upgrades and fields (finished projects under the "Completed Projects" dropdown menu) | Merriam Park Recreation Center | $3,863,997* |
| Project | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Siding Repairs | Battle Creek Recreation Center | $80,861 |
| Restroom Upgrades (Beulah Lane) | Como Park | $75,571 |
| Security Upgrades | Como Park Swimming Pool | $147,000 |
| Concession/Drive Thru Windows | Como Park Swimming Pool | $51,028 |
| Exterior Door Replacement | Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center | $67,717 |
| Exterior Door Replacement | Desnoyer Park Recreation Center | $17,500 |
| Decking & Floats Replacement | Harriet Island Park Public Dock | $335,900 |
| Exterior Door Replacement | Hazel Park Recreation Center | $60,663 |
| Exterior Door Replacement | Highland Park Picnic Pavilion | $17,500 |
| Roof Replacement | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Visitor Center) | $45,400 |
| Artificial Rocks Seal Coat | Como Pool | $49,700 |
| Skylight Replacement | Conway Recreation Center | $202,936 |
| Roofing & ceiling finishes | Como Park Streetcar Station | $374,918 |
| Security Upgrades | Newell Park Shelter | $3,905 |
| Security Upgrades | Como Park Streetcar Station | $3,905 |
| Security Upgrades | Highland Park Aquatic Center | $74,602 |
| Nets | McMurray Fields | $23,129 |
| Public Address System | Oxford Community Center | $20,000 |
| HVAC | Wilder Recreation Center | $25,691 |
| Fixed Soccer Goals Replacement | Citywide | $129,439 |
| Security Upgrades | Central Service Vehicle Storage | $38,236 |
| Security Upgrades | Hazel Park Recreation Center | $38,236 |
| Security Upgrades | Rice & Arlington Fields and Batting Cages | $41,325 |
| Security Upgrades | Phalen Regional Park Maintenance Building | $20,096 |
| Security Upgrades | SW Maintenance Building (Highland Park) | $59,829 |
| Hockey Boards | Citywide | $135,000 |
| Security Upgrades | Battle Creek Recreation Center | $35,715 |
| Rain Gardens | Various | $22,517 |
| Security Upgrades | Arlington Hills Community Center | $7,245 |
| Fixed Hockey Boards | North Dale Recreation Center, Palace Community Center, Phalen Recreation Center | $593,392 |
| Roofing | Highland 9 Golf Clubhouse | $119,533 |
| Gym Floor & Amenities (hoops, bleachers, walls and dividers) | Edgcumbe Recreation Center | $195,025 |
| Doors and Exterior Upgrades | Newell Park Building | $308,979 |
| Fencing | Indian Mounds Park | $8,980 |
| Glass Replacement | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Gorilla Exhibit | $66,603 |
| Upgrades | Como Park Golf Maintenance Building | $147,830 |
| Hydronic System Replacement | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Visitor Center) | $80,285 |
| Security Upgrades | Right Track Offices | $31,101 |
| Roof and Supports Upgrades | Como Streetcar Station | $31,101 |
| Public Dock Study & Covington Morings | Harriet/Raspberry Island | $72,000 |
| Plumbing | Martin Luther King Recreation Center & Hallie Q Brown Communuity Center | $168,000 |
| Irrigation and Turf Restoration | Wacouta Commons | $31,370 |
| Project | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Lot | West Minnehaha Recreation Center | $36,825 |
| Sidewalk | Desnoyer Park | $32,282 |
| Parking Lot & Boat Launch | Lilydale Regional Park | $169,241 |
| Parking Lot | Battle Creek Recreation Center | $119,200 |
| Various Trails | Phalen Regional Park | $75,000 |
| Parking Lot | Rice & Arlington Batting Cages | $238,800 |
| Parking Lot | Harriet Island (Showboat) | $154,050 |
| Parking Lot | Ford Dam Overlook | $27,900 |
| Parking Lot | Phalen Golf Course | $68,683 |
| Paths | Western Sculpture Park | $214,474 |
| Concrete | Hamline Trail | $74,188 |
| Project | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-use turf field | Jimmy Lee Recreation Center | $625,000 |
| Soccer fields | Highwood Hills | $560,411 |
| Baseball fields | Dunning Sports Complex | $100,000 |
| Ball fields | Como Regional Park | $30,000 |
| Project | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pickleball & basketball | Webster Park | $150,000 |
| (Bucky Olsen) Tennis Courts | Dunning Park | $703,000 |
| Project | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hayden Heights Recreation Center | $400,000 |
| Martin Luther King Recreation Center | $78,574 |
| Project | Cost |
|---|---|
| Great River Water Park | $150,000 |
Projects will be added as they are completed.
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-phase improvements, including roof replacement, exterior door replacement, fire system, and sidewalks (in progress projects under the "Current Projects" dropdown menu) | Linwood Recreation Center | $690,545* |
| Multi-phase improvements, including HVAC upgrades and parking lot (in progress projects under the "Current Projects" dropdown menu) | Merriam Park Recreation Center | $76,956 |
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings/Parks Deferred Maintenance List | TBD | $26,500,000* |
| Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. | ||
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Deferred Maintenance List | TBD | $2,600,000* |
Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. Futue asphalt improvements inlcude:
| ||
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Fields Deferred Maintenance List | $1,500,000* |
Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. In additon to the fields below, other future field improvements include:
| |
| McMurray Fields | $1,985,000 |
| North Dale Recreation Center | $700,000 |
| Merriam Park Recreation Center | $2,360,000 |
| Highland Community Center | $3,510,000* |
| Langford Park Recreation Center | $700,000 |
| Project | Location | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|---|
| Court Deferred Maintenance List | Various | $6,500,000* |
Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. In additon to the courts below, other future court inmprovements include:
| ||
| Basketball Court & Tennis Court | Hazel Park Recreation Center | $580,000 |
| Tennis Court (with moveable Pickleball nets) | Battle Creek Recreation Center | $350,000 |
| Basketball Court & Tennis Court | Cherokee Regional Park | $455,000 |
| Basketball Court & Futsal Court | Hamline Park | $290,000 |
| Basketball Court & Tennis Court | Hayden Heights Recreation Center | $580,000 |
| Basketball Court | Dunning Park | $250,000 |
| Futsal Court | South St. Anthony Park | $190,000 |
| Tennis Court & Futsal Court | St. Clair Park | $580,000 |
| Basketball Court | Highwood Hills | $173,000 |
| Basketball Court & Skatepark | Dayton's Bluff | $525,000 |
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Play Area Deferred Maintenace | $4,400,000* |
Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. In additon to the play areas below, other future play area inmprovements include:
| |
| Taylor Park | $400,000 |
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Water Features Deferred Maintenance List | $250,000* |
| Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. | |
| Project | Cost (*designates spending over multiple years) |
|---|---|
| Downtown Deferred Maintenance List | $250,000* |
| Due to volume of potential deferred projects and limits on available annual funding, deferred projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors with a focus on addressing worst condition assets along with assets that would cause the most impact to services if deferred further. Projects listed are expected to be completed within the next several years (typically within 5 years, but up to 10). All future remaining deferred projects will go through a similar process and will be prioritized based on current condition and urgency of need, and upon funding availability, will be added to this list. | |
Other future projects will be added as they are announced.