The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy is excited to announce the first Parks Giving Day in Saint Paul, scheduled for May 16, 2024. This online giving campaign is a joint project of the Conservancy, Como Friends, Great River Passage, Friends of Parks and Trails of Saint Paul and Ramsey County and various “Friends” park groups. Those who love parks will be able to give to multiple nonprofit park partners and projects from one website at parksgivingday.org, as well as sign up to learn about volunteer opportunities. The campaign will include two special events: a free community “birthday party” for Saint Paul parks at Noon in Rice Park [109 W. 4th Street] and a Pedro Park Fundraiser at 5:00 p.m. at Camp Bar [420 Robert St N, Saint Paul] to kick off construction of the expanding park.
RSVP for the Parks Birthday Party
“Parks Giving Day celebrates the essential role that community donors and volunteers play in making Saint Paul one of the top-ranked urban park systems in the nation,” says Conservancy director Michael-jon Pease. “Community members give resources to projects and programs. They spend countless volunteer hours. They garden, pick up trash, coach swim lessons, and so much more. This community loves Saint Paul parks. And of course our hats are off to the sponsors for this effort: Morrissey Hospitality, Mairs and Power, Bradshaw Funeral, the St Paul Area Chamber, and Xcel Energy.”
Online giving campaign will open May 1 but the official Parks Giving Day date of May 16 is significant. This year it will mark 175 years since the first Saint Paul parks were platted (Rice and Irvine). The day also aligns with hundreds of volunteer activities as gardens get planted and activities ramp up.
“Parks Giving Day is our chance to come together as a community, harmonizing with local partners to ensure everyone has
a seat at the picnic table,” said Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rodriguez. “We want to create beautiful and accessible spaces for all Saint Paul residents—because in the end it’s not just about the parks, it’s about the people, the partnerships, and the communities we create together.”
Saint Paul Parks Conservancy is the official 501c(3) champion of St Paul’s award-winning park system and the fiscal sponsor for the giving campaign. Any volunteer group or booster club that supports a park in Saint Paul can be added to the website to receive online donations. Customizable Parks Giving Day logos and social media templates are also available for groups to promote giving to their project or purpose. Those wishing to join the effort should contact the Conservancy office at office@stpaulparks.org or 651-265-2786.