Great River Water Park

Swimming Lesson Registration 

In the land of 10,000 lakes, cost should never be a barrier to water safety skills. That's why summer youth swimming lessons will now be offered free of charge! 

Please note, youth lessons are open to Saint Paul residents only. Summer lessons will be offered at Como Regional Park Pool and Highland Park Aquatic Center. Great River Water Park will be closed this summer. General registration for 2024 summer lessons is now full. As is the case with previous years, our staff, with the support of community partners, will be conducting targeted outreach to enroll youth who experience barriers to participation, especially related to water safety education and recreation.

 Swimming Lessons 

NOTICE: Some amenities and features may not be available at all times. Call 651-642-0650 for updates. 

• 25-yard, 6-lane lap pool 
• Children's activity pool
• One-meter diving board 
• Large water slides 
• Large floats 
• Men's, women's, and family locker rooms
• Sauna
• Designated eating areas
• Life jackets available
• Concessions
  • Note:  Concessions are temporarily closed while we put out a bid for a new vending contract. Until concession vending resumes, patrons may bring in snacks (no glass, peanuts, or alcohol) and consume them while at the tables on the pool deck.

Learn more and purchase aquatics memberships:

Aquatics Memberships

Regular Open Swim Hours

• Children under the age of 10 must always be accompanied by an adult.

*Monday, Wednesday and Friday hours are "children's pool only" from 9am-10am.

Closures and Special Hours

• Closures: Great River Water Park will be closed on the following days:
  • May 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-27
• Special Hours: Great River Water Park hold open swim from 1:30pm-5:30pm on the following days:
  • Feb. 19, 2024
  • April 8-12, 2024
• Seasonal Closure: Great River Water Park will be closed for the summer season starting May 31.

• 25-yard, 6-lane lap pool.
• Max of 4 people per lap lane, first come first serve.
• Fee is $8/person or included with all-access aquatics memberships.

Closures 

• Closures: Great River Water Park will be closed on the following days:
  • May 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-27
• Seasonal Closure: Great River Water Park will be closed for the summer season starting May 31.

• Open to all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Class is most effective when a participant is able to stand with their head above water in the shallow end of the pool.
• Fee is $8/person or included with all-access aquatics memberships.

Closures 

• Closures: Great River Water Park will be closed on the following days:
  • May 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-27
• Seasonal Closure: Great River Water Park will be closed for the summer season starting May 31.

Join us on Sundays from 12pm-5pm for free open swim. All ages are welcome. Free water safety education training will be provided from 3-3:25pm. 

Ages: All
Cost: Free
Days: Sundays starting Jan. 21, 2024
Time: 12pm-5pm

Youth will participate in a supportive community, increase physical fitness, learn lifeguarding skills, and have fun. This drop-in program consists of swimming, sauna, slides, music, healthy snacks, games, drills, community mentors, guest speakers and service projects. No pre-registration necessary.

• Ages: 14-18
• Cost: Free
• Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 
• Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm

This all-ages open swim time is for self-identified individuals with sensory sensitives, scheduled when the facility is typically quieter and less occupied. No background music, announcements, slides, water features, hair-dryer or swim suit dryers allowed. Staff will only use whistles in an emergency. Quiet room available. No registration is necessary. 

Cost: $7/person or $25 for groups of up to five. Free for one caregiver per participant. Ages two and under are free.

Date/Time:  Sundays, 9am-11am

This program is intended to provide equitable access to swimming facilities for women and girls who may otherwise not be utilizing these spaces due to religious beliefs or cultural practices. Privacy curtains will be placed over windows and access to the pool will be reserved for Women's Swim Night staff and participants only.  

Ages: Women & girls of all ages, boys age 7 and under
Cost: $3/person (Free for ages 2 and under)
Days: Mondays starting Jan. 8, 2024
Time: 7:30-9pm 

About Saint Paul Sunnies Developmental Swim Team

Saint Paul Sunnies seeks to inspire a lifelong love for the sport of swimming while promoting a healthy lifestyle, instilling a deep understanding of safety around water and building generational understanding and appreciation of the rewards and challenges of swimming.  Saint Paul Sunnies is a developmental swim team with a mission to reach youth who have historically experienced barriers to traditional swim teams. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Saint Paul resident
• Ages 10-14 (exceptions can be made based on skill level)
• Meets skill prerequisites (see below)
• Priority is given to youth who are Saint Paul swim lesson participants in levels 4 or 5 and/or have a barrier to access a traditional swim team. 

Skill Prerequisites

• Independently swim front crawl 50 yards (one lap)  
• Demonstrate rhythmic breathing  
• Tread water for 1 minute followed by 30 seconds front float and 30 seconds back float and then exit the water using a pool edge (not the ladder)
• No flip turns or dives required

Tryouts

• Tryouts will be held nightly from  4:30-6pm on February 5-9 & 12-14, 2024. 
• No preregistration necessary - just pick a night and show up.
• Participants will demonstrate the above prerequisite skills.
• After an initial assessment, participants will be grouped by skill level in a corresponding swim lane.
• Participants will be notified if they are selected by February 16. 

Practice Dates

Practices will be held Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri from 4:45-6pm mid-February - April, 2024.

Cost

$75 for the first session (mid-Feb-April) *Financial assistance is available.

Great River Water Park
270 N. Lexington Parkway
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Ph: 651-642-0650
ParksAquatics@ci.stpaul.mn.us
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Frequently Asked Questions