The City of Rochester receives a $195,000 grant through the State of Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Grant Program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This grant will support the new splash pad, a free, fun amenity in Lincolnshire Park.  

Parks & Recreation Director Paul Widman shares, “We are very excited to have received this grant from the DNR.  These funds will allow the City of Rochester to save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water each year by employing a recirculating type system.  It also allows for better control of the play elements for enhanced user experience.  Finally, the grant dollars provides for a more fully accessible facility by adding paved walking/biking trails through the park.”

As a part of the process, a survey was released in March of 2021 for community members to provide feedback on the first splash pad in the area.  In total over 740 community members responded to the virtual survey.

Key learnings from the survey included:

• Over 85% of respondents stated that they would use the splash pad
• A request was made that buttons are the height of a wheelchair and other features be wheelchair accessible
• Close parking for those with disabilities
• The largest age group respondents stated they would take to the splash pad are 3-5 year olds
• Community members shared that they anticipate frequenting the splash pad a few times a month, with Saturday being the day 76% of respondents stated they would be there
• 85% of respondents desire shade elements outside of the splash pad area and 82% are seeking recycling and trash receptacles

The splash pad, along with all its engaging aquatic play elements and the park’s updated trails, is hoped to be completed in the spring of 2022.  This will be Rochester’s first splash pad.  The Rochester Parks Foundation has been vital in helping raise donations to support this project as well.