Winter Play Day
A Gateway to the Mississippi
Celebrating community, nature, and the future of Crosby Farm Regional Park.
Saint Paul Parks Conservancy proudly hosts Winter Play Day, a signature event that invites neighbors and families to explore, discover, and embrace the winter season along the banks of the Mississippi River. As a proud part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, this celebration offers a lively glimpse of the vibrant, year-round activity envisioned for this historic landscape.
The Experience: Sights and Sounds
Photo Credit: Kurt Moses and Edwige Moses
Winter Play Day is designed to showcase the diverse ways our community connects with the outdoors, even in the heart of winter. Visitors experience:
- Guided Discovery: National Park Service Rangers lead interpretive hikes through the floodplain forest, sharing the stories of the wildlife and ecosystems that thrive in the cold.
- Community Warmth: From s’mores by the riverside fire to traditional winter games with Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, the park becomes a place for gathering and shared traditions.
- Adventurous Spirit: Whether it’s a first time on snowshoes with Wilderness Inquiry or exploring the immersive Winter Sound Garden by Wavelets Creative, the day celebrates the joy of trying something new.
- Stewardship in Action: Appearances by Smokey Bear and the U.S. Forest Service remind us of our collective responsibility to protect these vital urban green spaces.
The Vision: Mississippi River Learning Center (MRLC)
The energy of Winter Play Day is a catalyst for the future. Crosby Farm Regional Park is the future home of the Mississippi River Learning Center, a national hub for recreation, education, and environmental stewardship.
A Year-Round Destination
The MRLC is a visionary project that will transform this site into a world-class gateway to the river. It will feature:
- National Park Service Headquarters: A permanent home for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
- Inclusive Recreation: Seasonal programming that spans from summer paddling to winter trekking, ensuring the river is accessible to everyone, regardless of the season.
- Restorative Design: A campus built on the principles of sustainability, Indigenous perspective, and environmental justice.
Looking Ahead
Winter Play Day is more than a single afternoon—it is a reflection of Saint Paul’s commitment to our “River Capital” identity. We invite you to stay connected as we move from seasonal celebrations to a permanent home for river learning.
- Support the Future: Help us build the Mississippi River Learning Center by
- Plan Your Visit: Crosby Farm Regional Park is open year-round. Come find your own “play day” on the trails this week.
Did You Know? | The Future of Crosby Farm
A National Gateway: The Mississippi River Learning Center will serve as the official headquarters for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, bringing the National Park Service directly to the heart of Saint Paul’s riverfront.
Hosts & Partners
