By Claire Noack

Como Regional Park, otherwise known as Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, is an urban outdoor haven for St. Paul residents and visitors. This 450-acre public space includes a zoo, kids’ amusement park, lake, golf course, garden, pool, athletic fields and several picnic pavilions. And to top it all off, many of these amenities are free and open year round. What more could you ask for in one park?

Park & Pool

With a wide array of activities and facilities at Como Regional Park, it’s easy to spend a whole day experiencing all that the park has to offer. From the two miles of paved walking and biking trails to softball, baseball and soccer fields at the McMurray Athletic Complex, there are plenty of ways to stay active and play this summer. Prime picnic spots can also be found throughout the park with grills, fire pits, picnic pavilions and a large playground for visitors to use as they please.

Como Park’s latest addition, a community pool, is sure to make a splash this summer. The Como Regional Park Pool features lap swimming, an aquatic zip line and climbing wall, 400-foot lazy river, water aerobics, swimming lessons, and much more. Opening June 10, community members and visitors of all ages can have fun cooling off at St. Paul’s newest outdoor aquatics park. For more information on admission prices and hours, check the pool’s website.

Zoo & Gardens

Visit the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory to watch exotic wildlife and explore beautiful gardens. From tigers and giraffes to gorillas and polar bears, visitors can see all walks of life at the zoo. And the numerous gardens in the conservatory include everything from tropical plants and seasonal flowers to a collection of bonsai trees and pools of water lilies. Both the zoo and gardens are free with a suggested donation to keep the exhibits up and running.

More Family-friendly Amenities

And the fun doesn’t end there! There are still many other features at Como Regional Park to take advantage of, including an 18-hole golf course, a lake complete with a fishing pier and paddleboat rentals, a historic carousel and miniature golf. For more family fun, head to Como Town, located next to the zoo entrance. With more than 18 amusement park rides and attractions, kids and adults alike will revel in delight. And when all that excitement tires you out, head to Como Dockside, a restaurant and event space, that serves up southern-inspired cuisine on the shores of Como Lake.

As if things could get any better, the park also hosts free, live music series with Music at the Parks at Como Dockside and Groovin’ in the Garden in the Enchanted Garden. More information on concerts and events can be found on the St. Paul parks’ website. If it were up to us, we’d be hanging out at Como Regional Park all summer long.