What TO DO in the neighborhood
Image: Winter skating at the neighborhood ice rink
Recent Neighborhood Newsletters:
THE PARK ITSELF
The park complex that the neighborhood gets its name from is the epicenter of activity year-round. Tennis and pickle ball courts in the warm months, the ice rink in the winter, KidsPark Childcare in the park building, the summer neighborhood picnic, and much more.
ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD PICNIC - TUES. July 16 th, 2024 - 6-8pm
Every year in mid-summer hundreds of neighbors come together for the annual Desnoyer Park picnic put on by the DPIA. It is an event that has become tradition in the neighborhood. Event dates are always announced via the neighborhood newsletter edition that comes out sometime in late spring. Make sure you are signed up for the newsletter!
The annual neighborhood T-shirt (short sleeve kids & adults versions as well as the first ever long-sleeve Desnoyer t-shirt) will be available at the picnic. The 1st edition Desnoyer map logo pint glasses will make their debut. Other merch will also be available. Dinner this year is hoagies & pizza from Davanni’s (must pre-register/pay for dinner by July 9th). We will also have ice cream, drinks provided by Town & Country Club, balloon art, face painting, llamas, a bouncy-house, the Baron of Bubble, a big red firetruck and firefighters from St. Paul Fire, and great neighbors to catch up with or meet for the first time.
Note: The deadline for pizza/hoagie dinner registration was Tuesday July 9th, 2024. Ice cream treats and drinks are available for all without having to pay. Please still come if you missed the food order deadline and just bring a picnic dinner.
If the weather does not allow an event at the park that day (pouring rain/lightning), we will move it to Wednesday July 17th 6-8p. Any food reservations made will carry over to the rescheduled event. Any changes to the event because of weather would be posted on the website & Facebook page, and will be also sent out to the neighborhood mailing list (sign up if you aren't getting it). The decision to reschedule will be made no later than 2pm on Monday July 15th. We will not cancel for air quality index elevations.
DESNOYER Park's Natural ICE RINK
One of St. Paul's few remaining natural ice rinks lives part of its year in Desnoyer Park
The DP Ice Crew
The maintenance of the natural rink at Desnoyer Park is a collaborative effort between the Desnoyer Park Improvement Association (DPIA), St. Paul Parks & Recreation, and an amazing group of neighborhood volunteers known as the DP Ice Crew.
The crew is at the core of creating a great rink for the entire neighborhood during those months when all Minnesotans appreciate a place to gather with friends, family, and neighbors.
To request more information or sign up, fill out the DP Ice Crew form. If you have questions, you can also contact us directly for more information.
Support the Rink
The DPIA funds rink operations with neighbor donations and assistance from the City of St. Paul Parks & Rec Department. The DPIA’s Zamboni (purchased in 2017 from another St. Paul rink crew) requires regular maintenance to keep operating, shovels wear out, S’mores and hot cocoa warm up neighborhood kids while skating, and our DP Ice Crew needs equipment to care for the rink. We rely on neighbor donations to keep the rink functioning in our neighborhood year after year.
The DPIA rink fund is restricted for use on expenses related to rink maintenance & activities. The general DPIA donation fund is also available for rink expenses when they arise, but has a much broader set of activities and improvements it can be used for within the neighborhood. Contribute to the general DPIA fund knowing that your donation will to go wherever the need is greatest at the time (could be something related to the rink) or request that your contribution is restricted to use for rink expenses only.
DESNOYER Park FIRE & ICE EVENT
Friday 1/3/25 - 5:00-7:00PM at the park
DPIA in conjunction with the Union Park District Council sponsor an annual winter party at the park. Come and enjoy the holiday season outside with neighbors. We will have hot dogs & chips while they last, s’mores to make over a bonfire, cocoa, and hopefully skating games if the rink is ready in time. Clues for the neighborhood medallion hunt will be given out every 15min starting at 5:30p with the final clue given out at 6:30p.
WINTER AT THE TOWN & COUNTRY GOLF COURSE
The Town & Country Club takes up a large portion of Desnoyer Park Neighborhood and is the home of the first round of golf played in Minnesota in 1893. It was the home of many of the early St. Paul Winter Carnival events and ice castle. Today, the club is a great neighbor and opens its gates to neighbors once the ground is frozen and there's snow on it to sled, cross country ski, snow shoe, or just disappear for a while right in the middle of the city.
Take care of this amazing playground we have opened to our neighborhood in the winter! Please pick up your dog's poop on the course in the winter!
MEEKER ISLAND DOG PARK
The Meeker Island Dog Park is located adjacent to Meeker Island Historic Lock and Dam site, the site of the first and northernmost lock and dam on the Mississippi. The park is located along the river at the bottom of the bluff and can be accessed from the entrance along the Mississippi River Blvd trail. It features a dog run and a dog beach.
