Roads temporarily closed in St. Paul for social distancing to reopen next week

Starting Tuesday, roads around three St. Paul parks will reopen after being previously closed to facilitate social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to city officials, East Como Lake Drive, East Shore Drive, Cherokee Heights and the southbound lane of Mississippi River Boulevard were closed to vehicle traffic when Gov. Tim Walz issued executive stay-at-home orders in April.

Those roads were closed to allow more space for pedestrians and bicyclists to practice social distancing around Como Regional Park, Phalen Regional Park and Cherokee Regional Park.

After the stay-at-home orders were lifted, the closures remained in place per a request from the mayor’s office.

In a release, city officials state, "At this time, there are no resources, funding, or plans for the city of St. Paul to explore or change the existing roadways from their current traffic use or continue the temporary closures."