Como Park Spring Edition

Como Park Spring is beautiful. It is such a great time to get out to the park, and we have some suggestions for what to do on a spring afternoon at the park.

Como Zoo is a well-loved icon of St. Paul. When the weather gets warm, the residents of St. Paul, Minneapolis, and all of the surrounding suburbs flock to Como Zoo. When I can attest personally. It was April 26, the sun was shining and warm for only the second day of 2013, and every Minnesotan was excited for spring.

Most of us are thinking, It’s about time! And to celebrate, we spent the day outside enjoying the weather and the animals.

It was the first day that the tortoises have come outside since packing them inside for the winter. They were loving it. Frolicking around the tortoise yard just as tortoises do! Slowly. They soaked in the rays and enjoyed the attention. The kids loved seeing the tortoises. They were mesmerized by Marco and Marco’s friend (I can’t remember its name).

Galapagos Tortoise

The tortoises were the first animals to come outside for the spring. Other animals like the Dall Sheep, Arctic foxes, and American Bison who live outside all year long, were outside of course. But the animals that live in warm climates who aren’t built for the harsh Minnesota winters, don’t make it outside until the temperature is 50 degrees. For the animals who stay outside in the summer, the temperature must be above 50 degrees both during the day and the night.

Walking around Como before Memorial Day or just days after the cold has exited Minnesota may be shocking to you. The regular summer zoo features aren’t set up yet.

The Sparky show doesn’t start until Memorial Day Weekend, but you may get to check out his adjustment to swimming outside again.

Sparky-the-Sea-Lion

The two important requests by my children this time was visiting the giraffes and visiting “The Jungle” (aka. Tropical Encounters). All I could think as we were walking into the exhibit was, “Welcome to the Jungle, we’ve got fun and games……” Guns and Roses, baby. (let me just say right now for the record that I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I heard that song at my exercise class each week) At 2:00 we walked past a group of children listening to the end of Story time. It had started at 1:30. I find this time extremely interesting. 1:30 is generally nap time for many children. They must be catering to the older preschool crowd who may or may not nap.

Ribbitt Zibit
Water Play in the Children's Gallery

After we toured through “the Jungle,” the kids wanted to to the Frog Pond (I’ll get to that in a moment). We decided to cut through the conservatory. On our way through, we ran into the Leonard Wilkening Children’s Gallery. It reminded me of a mini children’s museum zoo-style. They had a section where you fed the animals the proper meals, a wall that demonstrated the water cycle, a log to crawl through, puzzles, matching games, and the Ribbit Zibit: a live look at many different species of frogs like the poison dart frog, Lemur Tree Frog, Red-eye Tree Frog, and Panamaian Gold Frogs. You can also watch the beginnings of frog life as a tadpole.

Como Park Spring Frogs

But being that it was spring, it was time to head outside again. Where we spent the remainder of our time at the Frog Pond.

I had never heard of the Frog Pond before and was wondering what it was. Since Kyla was on a field trip, she went back to school with her classmates, and Tori, Dash, and Jack got to explore a little bit more. We made our way out to the front of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, across the road, and down the sloping hill to discover this enchanted pond. The grass was turning green and the water was so tempting. Surrounded by a man-made rock barrier, the pond was the perfect place for nesting ducks to dip their feet in and go for a swim.

Como Park Frog Pond

Meanwhile, who doesn’t want to put a stick into the water and stir it. My trio of kids found themselves perfect fishing poles and went fishing. They could have spent hours doing this.

Como Zoo is a perfect place to enjoy during the spring if you don’t have high expectations. To see the outside shows, ride the carousel, and play at Como Town, you need wait for May and in some cases Memorial Day. Instead go knowing that you get to be outside, you get to lay on the grass, you get to see animals, and you get to eat outside if you want to.

Como Park Spring Highlights:

There is more than just the zoo to enjoy at Como. You can check out the conservatory including the new Ordway Gardens or you can just wander around the park. Como Lake is another attraction as well as ball fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
It’s FREE! The recommended donation per person is $2-$3, but you are welcome whether you can pay it or not.
It’s small. Take your time, no need to rush. You will see it all in one morning without hurrying through. A three year old can enjoy it on his own two feet (at least for most of it!)

Como Park Spring Disadvantages:

If you don’t like a crowd, Como is the least busy during the winter. During the spring, there are masses of people.
Springtime in MN is fickle, so a lot of outdoor things are delayed until May because we know that a freak snowstorm can cause damage if we are too hasty.

Como Zoo and Conservatory

Open every day of the year.

Summer hours (April – September)

10am – 6pm
Winter hours (October – March)

10am – 4pm

651-487-8201

1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103

Como Park Spring Frogs

Como Park Spring Highlights:

Como Park Spring Disadvantages:

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