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 8th, 2025 - 6-8pm
We’ll have dinner, games for the kids, 2 face painters this year (to cut down on the event’s longest line), the Baron of Bubble, balloon art, bouncy houses, and much more. Most importantly, we’ll have amazing neighbors for you to reconnect with or meet for the first time. Several new neighbors have moved into the neighborhood in the last year, so please make sure to reach out to them with an invitation.
MERCH: We will have this year’s new Desnoyer T-shirts for sale in kids' & adult sizes. We will have what remains of the limited edition Desnoyer Park pint glasses for sale this year, and we’re bringing back the sold-out Desnoyer ball caps after a couple of years on the bench. As always, if you are missing one of the last couple of years’ versions of shirts from your collection, we will have what’s left in our inventory at a discounted price for you to pick up.
DINNER: The food at the picnic will be hoagies & pizza (GF option available) from Davanni’s at a minimal cost to neighbors (subsidized by DPIA), but you must order ahead - DEADLINE to order food is Wednesday 7/2/25 at 10 pm (click the order button below). We will also have the usual free ice cream, water/lemonade provided by Town & Country Club, napkins, and plates.
WEATHER: If the weather does not allow an event at the park that day (pouring rain/lightning), we will move it to the following evening, Wednesday, July 9th. Any food orders placed will carry over to the rescheduled event. Any changes to the event because of weather would be posted on the desnoyerpark.org website & Facebook page, and will also be 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 4pm on Monday, July 7th. 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 1/10/25 - 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.
