District 10 Blizzard Breakfast

Join St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the Como Community Council for a pancake breakfast and winter activities from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 St. Albans.

Try snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and skating before you warm up with a bonfire and s’mores. After all the fun outside, head inside for more kid’s activities and a pancake breakfast, sponsored by St. Timothy’s and Como Park Lutheran churches.

Back this year is a local maker’s market where people will have booths selling their goods. It’s a way to help support local artists, bakers and plant enthusiasts. For more information, go to District10ComoPark.org/sd3event.

2025 Como Curb Cleanup results

Back in October and November, District 10 continued the work started by the Como Active Citizen’s Network and partnered with the Capitol Region Watershed District to lead the Como Curb Cleanup program, a coordinated effort to remove fallen leaves from the storm.

Then in December participants were asked to report their cleaning efforts. With 91 participants reporting, we’ve calculated how much algae overgrowth was prevented with our community effort.

Here are the results:

• Total feet cleaned: 33,517
• Number of miles cleaned: 6.3
• Equivalent number of times around Como Lake cleaned: 3.7
• Total pounds of phosphorus prevented from reaching Como Lake: 10.47
• Tons of curly leaf pond weed this phosphorus amount could produce: 2.62

Take winter low/no salt pledge

This winter, District 10 is partnering with the Capitol Region Watershed District to raise awareness about the harmful effects of excess salt on local waters.

While salt reduces ice and keeps us safe, it can damage lakes, rivers, and more. Here’s how to minimize its impact:

• Have the proper tools to clear driveways and sidewalks. Remove snow early and often to prevent compacted ice.
• Try using grit or sand for traction on ice instead of melting the ice with salt. Grit (also called cherry stone, chicken grit or traction grit) provides better traction than sand and is easier to clean up. Find it at hardware stores and farm/home centers.
• Select the correct product. Road salt only works when the pavement temperature is above 15 degrees. If you use a deicer, read the label for usage instructions and temperature. In colder temperatures, use different products like sand or grit.
• Scatter salt sparingly: A 12-oz coffee cup covers a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares. Spread grains 3 inches apart and use salt only on ice.
• Sweep up grit and sand or leftover salt to reuse as needed.
• Help your neighbors! Assist those who can’t clear sidewalks. If needed, the Saintly City Snow Angels Facebook group can connect you with someone to help.

Learn more and sign up for the salt reduction pledge at District10ComoPark.org/Cleanup/#chloride.

Serving on District 10 Community Council

Several seats are up for election in April to the District 10 Como Community Council board.

These positions serve two-year terms, through April 2028. To get on the ballot, fill out an application at District10ComoPark.org/Elections. That’s where you can also learn more about the roles and opportunities of board members.

The filing deadline is Tuesday, March 31. The election ends April 14.

For further information, go to [email protected].

Upcoming District 10 meetings

District 10 meetings are hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway. You can find meeting details at District10ComoPark.org.

• 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4
• 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18

All District 10 community meetings are open to the public.

Submitted by District 10 executive director Shevek McKee.