Upgrades coming to Newell Park

Newell Park’s 1990s-era playground will soon make way for play structures designed by children themselves. It’s a park improvement effort that involves many partners.

About three dozen area residents, including many children, attended a playground design session Aug. 12, 2026. The session was hosted by St. Paul Parks and Recreation, St. Paul Parks Conservancy and KaBoom!, a non-profit. KaBoom! works with communities to design and then build new playgrounds. Playgrounds are typically built over a period of a few days.

KaBoom! has built other St. Paul projects including the playground at Dunning Field.

At the design session, participants looked at playground design ideas and sketched out their visions for new play equipment. Children used bright crayons to draw their ideas, which included swings, climbing walls, slides, splash pads and other features. They also viewed drawings of play area options and weighed in on what they liked or disliked.

The current equipment for toddlers and older children dates from 1995. Some equipment is faded or has chipping paint. Much of it looks dated.

The park has two play area separated by age; an option several parents would like to see continue with new facilities.

One neighborhood parent with an interest in the project is Ward Four Council Member Molly Coleman. “It’s exciting to see so much community interest,” she said, adding that replacement of the Newell Park equipment is long overdue.

Consistent themes were heard from neighbors, which then resulted in two options designed by Landscape Structures. Polling ended Aug. 28, with results to be announced soon.

One theme is “nature adventure,” with lily pad and mushroom steppers, balance beams that feel like walking on logs, cliff climbers, and more features drawn from the great outdoors.

The other theme option, All Aboard!, is inspired by a train station, with climbing elements reminiscent of train tracks, an OmniSpin “waiting area,” driver panel, seesaw “handcar,” and more to explore.

The chosen option is to be built during a community building day in October. KaBoom! organizes such events to help community members feel involved with the new facilities.

The Parks Conservancy plays a key role to improve Newell Park with a $100,000 Community Campaign to support the new play facilities.

Newell Park (900 Fairview Ave N.) is one of the city’s oldest parks. It was dedicated in 1908 and takes its name from Stanford Newell. He was an attorney, member of the first St. Paul Park Board, and U.S. Minister to the Netherlands from 1897 to 1906.

The 10-acre park, with its rolling hills and stately oaks, wasn’t developed until 1927. Its pavilion was built in 1929.

The park was a center of community activity for many years and served as a part-time city recreation center in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been used over the years for outdoor church services and club and community group events. It is also popular for ball games, picnics and, in the winter, sledding.