Rochester, MN

City of Rochester encourages residents to “enjoy your park but stay apart”

As temperatures rise and more people begin to head outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather, the City of Rochester’s Parks and Recreation Department is asking for your help to keep our local parks and trails open during the Stay at Home order.

City of Rochester temporarily relaxes tall grass and weed enforcement

To reduce impacts on property owners during the COVID-19 response, the City of Rochester is temporarily relaxing enforcement of Chapter 8-5. – Tall Grass and Weeds (grass taller than 12 inches) through October 2020 to allow residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 to focus on higher priorities.

City of Rochester asks residents to stop congregating in parks

The City of Rochester remains committed to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community and has therefore installed fencing around the Silver Lake Skate Park to deter groups of individuals from congregating there and further promoting the spread of COVID-19.

Group gatherings and activities prohibited in Rochester Parks during Stay at Home order

To discourage the use of Rochester Parks group facilities during the Governor's Stay at Home Executive Order, tennis and pickleball courts have been padlocked; rims have been removed from basketball courts; and playgrounds and the skate park at Silver Lake have been signed as “closed.”

CERTS grant awarded to City of Rochester Parks & Recreation for the Quarry Hill Nature Center Prairie House

The City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department has received $910 in grant money from Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) to help transition the Prairie House Education Building operated by the Friends of Quarry Hill Nature Center into a net zero carbon facility.

Parks and Recreation AccessABLE Rec Shining Stars Cheer Team Seeks Athletes

In 2006 the Rochester Shining Stars became the 1st Adaptive performance & competition cheer team in Minnesota. This athletic endeavor provides athletes with exceptional abilities an opportunity to participate in a sport that incorporates the full aspects of performance, competition cheer.

PSA: Pest Management Plan and Chemical Usage in Parks

Rochester Public Bike Share Program Launched Today

Rochester’s public bike-sharing program kicked off today for the 2019 season. Now through late fall, community members can visit any of the public bike-sharing locations noted below and sign out a bike at no cost.

Arts4Trails Awarded a SEMAC Grant

Art4Trails receives SEMAC grant for Expanding Rochester Public Art Partnerships

Rochester Park & Recreation is on Facebook

The Rochester Park & Recreation Department has recently launched a Facebook page. This page will be used to highlight all the different facilities, programs and projects that the department is working on.

Silver Lake Interpretive Trail

Learn more about stormwater management in Rochester

Emerald Ash Borer in Olmsted County.

Emerald Ash Borer found in Olmsted County. Informational brochure about the Emerald Ash Borer is available for download.

Park & Recreation Smoke Free Policy