Originally published in the Park Bugle, April 2026.
A proposal to add permanent shade and lighting at Westgate Commons Park has advanced to the next stage of the City of Saint Paul’s 2026 Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process.
The project, submitted by the St. Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC), was recently reviewed by City staff and determined eligible to move forward in the community proposal process.
Westgate Commons Park, located at 717 Berry Street, opened in 2023 and quickly became a gathering place for neighbors, families, and trail users connecting to the Wabash Spur Trail. However, many park users have noted that the space currently lacks permanent shade and pedestrian-scale lighting.
In a community survey conducted by SAPCC, nearly all of the 168 respondents identified shade as the park’s most significant infrastructure gap. Neighbors described the park as “exposed” during hot summer days and less comfortable to use during evening hours.
The proposal would install permanent steel shade structures with integrated solar panels and pedestrian-scale LED lighting in key gathering areas of the park. These improvements are intended to reduce heat exposure, improve environmental comfort, increase evening visibility, and support safer use of the space.
“These improvements respond directly to what neighbors told us they needed in the park,” said Reyd Jordan, Co-Chair of the SAPCC Environment Committee. “Adding shade and lighting would make the space more comfortable throughout the day and help ensure the park continues to serve as a welcoming gathering place for the community.”
Projects that advance in the CIB process may submit additional information and present their proposals to the City’s Capital Improvement Budget Committee later this spring. A citywide community poll will also allow residents to show support for projects they would like to see funded.
Neighbors who would like to learn more about the proposal and follow the process can visit:
sapcc.org/cib2026
More information about the City’s Capital Improvement Budget process is available at: stpaul.gov/cib