St. Paul's Como Park is one of the last free zoos in the country -- although it does hit you up for a donation on the way in -- but there's been a hitch in getting to Como on summer weekends. The parking situation is lousy. Not enough lots for too many cars. I always envied the neighbors who walk in, often pushing strollers.

Now the city of St. Paul is offering a solution: free weekend shuttle buses from the spacious parking lots across from the nearby State Fair.

Starting this weekend, the buses will run from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every weekend through September with the exception of Independence Day weekend. The two shuttle lots are on the south side of Como Avenue, a couple of blocks west of Snelling.

Three of the shuttle buses will run on low-emission diesel fuel; they were bought with the help of a federal grant. Other rented buses will also be used for the continous routes. The buses are wheelchair and stroller accessible.