MEDIA ADVISORY:
May 18, 2023
CONTACT:
Michael-jon Pease, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy
pease@stpaulparks.org
651-341-7269
Liz Carey-Linskey, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
liz.carey-linskey@ci.stpaul.mn.us
612-900-5307
CELEBRATING 174 YEARS OF SAINT PAUL PARKS AND NEW NATIONAL RANKING
Public Celebration to Honor Public-Private Partnerships
May 24 at Rice Park
The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation will host the 174th birthday of Saint Paul Parks and celebrate Saint Paul’s soon to be announced national ranking as a top urban park system on Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore Index, which will be released on May 24. The event – complete with live music and birthday cake – will be held on Wednesday, May 24 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Rice Park downtown. Rice and Irvine Parks were platted in May 1849, making them the oldest of the City’s 182 parks.
Saint Paul parks have always benefitted from private support, from early land donations to the 5,000 volunteers and donors who keep the system shining. In that spirit, Mayor Melvin Carter will accept a donation from Jace Fellon on behalf of local scouts, whose winter fundraiser proceeds will help renovate local playgrounds. MN United FC will also be announcing its contribution for the continued improvement of Midway Peace Park.
WHAT: Saint Park Parks Birthday Party
WHEN: Wednesday, May 24, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Rice Park, 109 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102
INFO: saintpaulparksconservancy.org
About the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy – The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy partners with community to make St. Paul parks better – to grow them, to improve the equipment and facilities, to deepen visitors' appreciation of the land and its history. The Conservancy has raised more than $3 million for St. Paul parks.
Here are just a few projects the Conservancy is working on right now:
- Greater access, interpretive signage, gardens and gathering spaces in Swede Hollow Park, walking distance from Lowertown St. Paul.
- Revival of Hamm Plaza, next to the recently refurbished Rice Park in the heart of downtown St. Paul.
- Playgrounds and splash pads at Margaret Park (on the city’s East Side) and Wacouta Commons Park (downtown).
- New Turf Fields for the North End Community Center (now under construction)
The Conservancy does this through fundraisers and donations. The group’s annual Party For The Parks fundraiser is June 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in Phalen Park.
About Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages 183 parks and open spaces, AZA-accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 26 city-operated recreation centers, more than 120 miles of trails, an indoor and two outdoor aquatic facilities, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, municipal golf courses, and Great River Passage – which is the new identity for all proposed public development along Saint Paul’s more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront. For more information about Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks.
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