One spot has it
all: pool, zoo, amusement rides, and conservatory
by Tesha M. Christensen
Kids and water go together like peanut butter and jelly. If
your kids are anything like mine, they spend the summer asking for pool days.
Give them their wish without stretching your budget.
An affordable afternoon is as close as Como Regional Pool
Park. There’s no need to drive out to the suburbs anymore. My family of four bought
a family pass of $16 for the day. Those with more than five in the family pay
an additional $3 for each person.
Got a smaller group? The fee for children under 48 inches is
$4.50, and those under age 16 is $5. Adults are $6.50 and seniors cost $6. If
you don’t want to get wet, pay $2 for a non-swimming deck fee. Those coming
with more than 10 people qualify for reduced group rates.
You may want to check out the family season pass. For $195,
your family can swim whenever they want at any of the city’s three water parks:
Como Regional Pool Park, Highland Aquatic Center and the indoor Great River
Water Park.
Open since June 2012, the city-run Como Pool has something
for everyone.
The younger kids will love the zero-depth entry area with
sprinklers, and the water fun table situated under a shade canopy. There are
three waterslides kids of all ages can enjoy that empty into a two-foot-deep
area. The wide slide was a big hit with my four-year-old daughter. It’s not
easy to find waterslides she go on, let alone a slide she can ride with a
parent.
Older kids (and parents) will love the zip line, cliff
jumping area, and aquatic climbing wall.
There’s also a 25-yard lap pool with basketball hoops, and a
400-foot lazy river.
Plus, you can feel good about swimming in a pool that has
half the chlorine of others, thanks to sphagnum moss filters. St. Paul was the first city in the
nation to adopt sphagnum moss treatment in its municipal pools and with its
partner, Creative Water Solutions, Inc., won the Governor’s Award for Pollution
Prevention in 2011. Other green features at the one-year-old water park include
high-efficiency Neptune-Benson filters in the mechanical room that allow the
pool to use less water than conventional filters; 12 solar tubes on the roof
heat that water for the showers and concession stand; and rain gardens in the
parking lot that reduce run-off.
Open swim hours at Como are weekdays from noon to 8 p.m. and
Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more about the pool at the St. Paul City web site http://www.stpaul.gov.
LOTS MORE TO DO
When the kids are done swimming, check out the many other
attractions that are just a hop, skip and a jump away. (Browse
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/) If you’re like us, you might not have time
to see everything in one day, but we’ll be back.
THE CAROUSEL
For just $2 a person, you can take a spin on Cafesjian’s
Carousel. Originally located for 75 years at the Minnesota State Fair, it is
now owned and operated by the nonprofit organization Our Fair Carousel, Inc.
Volunteers have restored the carousel to its 1914 appearance. It was installed
in a new pavilion next to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in 2000.
THE ZOO
Como Zoo’s gorillas got a new home in June 2013 when the
Gorilla Forest opened. The larger space of 10,000 square feet is about two and
half times larger the former outdoor space. The new exhibit is raised so that
visitors get an eye-to-eye, up close and personal views of the gorillas.
Admission to the zoo is always free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. in the summer.
Como Zoo features a seal island, a large cat exhibit, a
variety of aquatic life, primates, birds, African hoofed animals and a world
class polar bear exhibit. Don’t miss the ever popular Sparky the Sea Lion’s
show, held weekend days at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
COMO TOWN
Soar like an eagle 85 feet in the air on Como Town’s newest
attraction, an exhilarating zip line. A double seat comfortably and safely
accommodates two riders from one end of the amusement park to the other. There
are more than 18 rides and attractions in Como Town, including the Splash Zone.
In addition to the paid rides, there are free entertainment, events, and
activities for the kids. After 4 p.m., an unlimited ride wristband is $14.95.
THE CONSERVATORY
Don’t forget to bring mom to the Marjorie McNeely
Conservatory before your day is over. The conservatory’s half acre indoor and
outdoor facility features several wings dedicated to a variety of plant life
including bonsai trees, ferns, orchids and seasonal flowers.
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