Culture, Recreation, and Public Libraries

When you find or have free time, there is plenty to do in St. Paul/Ramsey County.  We have an extensive city and county park system, as well as a wonderful neighborhood Community Center.  Below you will find information on our local Linwood Community Center, the Ramsey County Park system and other cultural and educational opportunities in St. Paul.  This list is by no means complete and don’t forget, there’s the city across the river that also has lots for you to explore and do.

Museums

The Minnesota Children’s Museum, located in downtown St. Paul, hosts special exhibits, activities, workshops and performances.  Call 225-6000 for more information.

The Science Museum of Minnesota, also located in downtown St. Paul, has a variety of exhibits and programs for children and adults, including the Omnitheater.  Look for the opening of the new museum along the Mississippi.  For more information, call 221-9488.

The Como Zoo, located in beautiful Como Park, is a free zoological park operated by the City of St. Paul.  The park itself offers picnicing, amusement rides, beautiful gardens for strolling in, a botanical conservatory that is open all year long, cross country skiing in winter and a variety of classes and programs relating to gardening and the zoo. 

Information: 488-5571

Como Zoological Society: 487-1485

Zoo Education Programs: 488-5101

The Minnesota History Center, located between the Cathedral of St. Paul and the Minnesota State Capitol at the head of Summit Avenue, offers a variety of exhibits, programs, classes and a state histsory research facility.  There is also a wonderful cafe which serves breakfasts, lunch and Sunday brunch and two gift stores that feature Minnesota specialties.  The Minnesota Historical Society also puts out a yearly historical travel guide for the state of Minnesota.  For general information, schedules and programs offered at the History Center, call 296-6126.

Parks

Ramsey County Parks and Recreation provides a system of regional parks, county parks and special use facilities for public use.  Hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, fishing, golfing, ice skating, sledding, archery, and cross-country skiing are some of the activities offered.  Year round environmental education programs are offered at Tamarack Nature Center.  For information about facilities, services and programs, call 777-1707. 

St. Paul Parks and Recreation

Parks and green spaces abound in Saint Paul.  The city’s largest and busiest parks are Como(see above Como Zoo), Highland, and Phalen, each of which has a municipal golf course, winter skiing, and picnic areas. In addition, many of the smaller, neighborhood parks have outdoor ice skating (snowfall and temperatures permitting), playgrounds, and recreation programs for children and adults.

The Recreation Center at the Linwood Community Center, 860 St. Clair Avenue,  (298-5660) offers a variety of sports opportunities, summer programs, days off outings for children and exercise programs for adults. Here is what the recreation has to offer.

Aerobics Classes Classes are offered every day of the week	Ceramics Classes are ongoing for adults, meeting once a week.  There are special holiday classes for youth (Halloween, Valentine)
55 Plus Fitness Class Moderate exercise or active adults	Senior Activities Seniors meet weekly for cards, games and coversation.  Special events and trips are also planned
Nautilus Weight Room Memberships are available in 3 month increments.  Step machines, Nordic Track, riding bikes and treadmill in room.	RSP Pre-school age classes that balance active and quiet activities, freely chosen and structural activities
Dance Classes Classes offered for ages 3-adult. Creative Movement  Pre-Ballet Ballet Swing	S’More Fun School aged daycare activities during the summer months and school breaks according to the St. Paul Pub. Schools calendar.  Arts and crafts, field trips are among the activities.
Seasonal Sports Basketball, Softball, Baseball, T-ball, In-between Ball, Floor Hockey, Soccor	Special Events Field trips and activities for school aged children and also family events. Sporting events Theater productions Science Museum/Omni Theater
Soo Bak Do Karate                                                Classes available for ages 6-13. Children develop body coordination and conditioning and self confidence. Classes meet twice a week.

Libraries

Hours vary at the central and neighborhood libraries.  The closest libraries to the people of Summit Hill are the following:

Central Library
90 West Fourth Street
651-266-7000

Highland Park
1974 Ford Parkway

651-695-0359

Merriam Park
1831 Marshall Avenue
651-642-0385

 

Lexington
1080 University Avenue
651-642-0359

West Seventh
265 Oneida Street
651-298-5516

These libraries vary in size (for instance the W. 7th Library, located in the West Seventh Community Center off of St. Clair Ave,  is very small) book availability (although you can order books to be picked up at any branch) and convenient parking (the Central Library has no free parking - you must find a spot on the street with a meter or park in a parking ramp.)

Online Access:  (modem dial-in number for St. Paul Library) 651-292-6376

http://www.melsa.lib.mn.us/ is the Internet URL address for access to metro area public library catalogs.

St. Paul Art Museums

Minnesota Museum on American Art

Landmark Center

75 West Ïifth Street

St. Paul, MN 55102  
651-292-4367 for tour information

St. Paul Art Crawl - held in October
651-292-4373 for more information

St. Paul Theaters and Concert Halls

Ordway Music Theatre - 282-3000

345 Washington Street

St. Paul, Mn 55102

The Schubert Club, a non profit arts organization established in 1882, presents 8 concerts per year, operates a musical instruments museum, runs an annual scholarship competition for music students, provides after school lessons at the Martin Luther King Center in St. Paul, presents master classes, commissions new musical works by American composers and produces recordings and books.  They are located  at

302 Landmark Center

75 West Fifth Street

St. Paul, MN 55102
651-292-3267

The Fitzgerald Theatre

10 East Exchange Street

St. Paul, MN 55101            
Box office phone:  651-290-1221

Penumbra Theatre Company

270 North Kent Street

St. Paul, MN 55102            
Box office phone:  651-224-3180

Park Square Theatre

20 West 7th Place

St. Paul, MN 55102            
phone:  651-291-7005