Add leopard speed to your trip to Como

A new bus shuttle service is expected to ease congestion and frustration at the regional park.

By CHRIS HAVENS, Star Tribune

Last update: May 20, 2009 - 10:34 PM

A big leopard will be moving around St. Paul's Como Park neighborhood this weekend.

A leopard on wheels, that is.

It's a new bus, wrapped in leopard print, that will pick people up at a State Fairgrounds parking lot and drop them off at the front of the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

The shuttle service, provided by the city of St. Paul, starts Saturday and will run on weekends through the summer.

The purpose of the shuttle service is to unclog streets and ease the frustration of trying to find a parking spot in the limited space on the Como Park grounds.

"It improves pedestrian safety and gives people better access to our great park," said Council Member Russ Stark. He also touted the low-emission diesel buses, which are wheelchair and stroller accessible. The city bought three buses, and other wraps might include a flower or zebra pattern.

The city spent about $150,000 to get about $1.4 million in federal money to keep the service going for three years.

Como, which is a regional park, attracted nearly 2 million visitors last year. But the growth has caused some pains in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Council Member Lee Helgen said he's confident that the shuttle service will ease residents' concerns about parking and traffic.

A survey conducted last summer found that out of the 92 percent of visitors who drove to the park, 68 percent said they would probably use the shuttle service.

The buses will run from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., except during the July 4th weekend, through September. It will pick people up about every 10 minutes.

For more information, go to www.comozooconservatory.org

Chris Havens • 612-673-4148