FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2021
Contact:
Peter Leggett
Office of Mayor Melvin Carter
651-307-8603
peter.leggett@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Mayor Carter Announces Temporary Road Closures on Four City Streets To Support Physically Distant Outdoor Activities This Spring and Summer
Road Closures Originally Stood Up Last Spring Amid COVID Public Heath Measures Return This Weekend Through Mid-July To Support Community Members Engaging in Physically Distant Outdoor Activities
SAINT PAUL, MN –Today, Mayor Carter announced closures of four city streets to vehicle traffic to support physically distant outdoor activities this spring and summer. The closures support walking and biking in and around three City of Saint Paul parks areas including Como Regional Park, Phalen Regional Park and Cherokee Regional Park, as well as the southbound vehicle lane along Mississippi River Boulevard. The closures start this weekend April 16-18 and run through mid-July.
“Now more than ever, safe outdoor spaces for recreation and exercise are critical to our collective health and wellbeing,” said Mayor Melvin Carter. “We invite our residents, workers and visitors to join us in utilizing these spaces as we move through these challenging times together.”
ABOUT ROAD CLOSURES
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic starting this weekend April 16-18 through mid-July.
- Como Regional Park -- East Como Lake Drive from East Como Boulevard to Lexington Parkway
- Phalen Regional Park -- East Shore Drive from Johnson Parkway to Arlington Avenue
- Cherokee Regional Park -- Cherokee Heights Boulevard from Baker/Chippewa to Annapolis
- Mississippi River Boulevard – Mississippi River Boulevard from Ford Parkway to Pelham Boulevard (southbound vehicle traffic lane will be closed to vehicles, northbound vehicle lane will remain open to vehicle traffic and driveway access)
In alignment with closures stood up last spring, these roads were identified as areas where closures would not impact emergency and essential service traffic.
The City does not anticipate any other road closures for physical distancing at this time, and these closures are not connected to any future planning or studies.
Residents interested in learning about current and future plans and projects, including pending master plan updates for Mississippi River Boulevard and East Como Boulevard, should visit the Parks and Recreation Design and Construction webpage and subscribe to our mailing list to stay updated.
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