Originally published in the Park Bugle, November 2025.
The Summer at Westgate Commons Park program wrapped up in late September with a celebration that brought more than 200 neighbors together for one last afternoon of art, bikes, and community connection. Families, elders, and many new immigrant neighbors came out to enjoy the day, far exceeding the 120 neighbors originally expected.
From May through September, SAPCC partnered with Joy of the People to host Pop-Up Play Days and Park Activity Saturdays – a free summer series made possible by a grant from the University of Minnesota’s Good Neighbor Fund. The program filled the new Westgate Commons Park with laughter, games, and creative energy all season long.
The final event featured a community bike giveaway, youth-led activities, ice cream, and special guests from the Towerside Innovation District, including Executive Director Stephen Klimek, who joined in the festivities. “You could feel the sense of community in every corner of the park,” Klimek said. “It’s exciting to see so many neighbors coming together and sharing ideas for the future of the Westgate area of St. Anthony Park and Towerside.”
Guests were also invited to share their ideas by taking the new Towerside Neighborhood Pulse Survey, now open at bit.ly/Tower25.
Zev Radziwill, SAPCC Executive Director, said, “This summer was about connection. We met so many new neighbors and built great relationships with building staff and residents around Westgate Commons Park. The teams at Legends at Berry and Millberry Apartments have been wonderful partners, even inviting SAPCC back to host a renter education forum this fall.”
Lucid Thomas, SAPCC Tenant Outreach Coordinator, added, “We saw new faces every week, and by the end, people from across the neighborhood were coming regularly. The park became a true community space, and we’re so thankful to everyone who helped make that happen.”
The Summer at Westgate Commons Park series was made possible through a grant from the University of Minnesota’s Good Neighbor Fund and sponsored by SAPCC with support from the Creative Enterprise Zone, Towerside Innovation District, and St. Paul Parks and Recreation.
SAPCC also extends special thanks to Pat Thompson and Scott Jensen, Co-Chairs of the Transportation Committee, and Kerry Morgan and Michael Russelle, Co-Chairs of the Environment Committee, for their leadership and to all the volunteers who helped make this summer’s program such a success.
Learn more at sapcc.org/westgate