On September 22, crews will begin work to replace the failing limestone retaining walls in beloved Mears Park. The new cast-concrete walls will echo the classic limestone look you see around the nearby Science Museum grounds. This long-overdue repair is possible thanks to a unique partnership of Common Cent sales tax dollars, the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, and the Friends of Mears Park. By blending public and private funds, we’re able to stretch every dollar further and deliver results that meet community needs.
The Common Cent 1% sales tax, approved by Saint Paul voters, has already delivered more than $48 million in completed and active park and recreation projects. These investments address long-standing maintenance gaps and community priorities—from replacing playgrounds and improving athletic fields to renovating recreation centers and repairing major park amenities like pools and trails. Click here to see the list of Common Cent projects in Parks – completed, current and planned.
But public dollars alone aren’t enough. Private philanthropy remains critical to fully realize the vision for vibrant, welcoming parks in every neighborhood. Donations to the Conservancy ensure that sales tax funding can be leveraged and extended—bringing even more improvements to more people across the city.
Together, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and the Parks Conservancy are planning ahead, working ward by ward and neighborhood by neighborhood to deliver the healthy, beautiful, and well-maintained parks that make our city thrive.