The Go! Play! Explore! Trailer is loaded with interactive games and equipment and will travel to parks and green space all around the City this summer. Rochester Parks and Recreation staff will lead kids of all ages in fun, unique and engaging outdoor activities designed to increase activity, spontaneity, and interactions with friends and neighbors! This trailer is not available for reservations.

Safe City Nights

The Rochester Police Department (RPD) is pleased to announce Safe City Nights for 2025. The initiative will include six gatherings, one in each ward of the City, during the months of June, July, and August. Each event will take place from 6-8 p.m. and will include free food and activities including Parks & Recreation's Mobile Rec Trailer

forWARD Neighborhood Parks Concerts

The free, Wednesday evening forWARD Park Concerts are live music events showcasing local bands and regional emerging headliners. Concerts are held in six different walkable, pet friendly, and bike trail connected parks, one in each city ward.

Local food trucks, craft beer, and family-friendly fun with the Rochester Public Library's Bookmobile and Rochester Park & Rec’s Go! Play! Explore! Mobile Rec Trailer, round out these must-attend community events.

Go! Play! Explore! Mobile Recreation background:

Olmsted County Public Health and Rochester Parks & Recreation were the recipients of a grant from the Super Bowl 52 Host Committee in 2017. This grant funded the mobile recreation unit in Rochester that was rolled out in the summer of 2017. A huge thank you to the Super Bowl 52 Host Committee!

Always wanted to have a block party for your neighborhood but it seemed like too much work to pull of the necessary items together to pull one off? Thanks to the Chamber’s Leadership Greater Rochester Class of 2017 and partnership between Parks and Recreation and RNeighbors you can utilize an entire trailer full of what you need for a successful neighborhood bash free of charge. All you need to provide is your neighbors.

The Building Blocks Neighborhood Block Party Trailer is a means to inspire neighbors to gather in places where they live and it provides all the tools necessary to hold a neighborhood gathering.

• The block party trailer is for public gatherings only; no private parties. Any event where the trailer is present must be open to all neighbors.
• Park and Recreation will drop off the trailer to the location of your choosing, weekend events will have the trailer dropped off on Friday and picked up on Monday.
• The trailer is available for use April 1 through October 31.
• Reservations available on the first business day of January each year (Jan. 2).  The only exception would be for large community event reservations.

We’d love to see pictures of your gathering and to highlight them on our website and social media. Please email them to René Halasy.

How to Reserve

Please use our online request tool.

• You will need to set up an account in this system (Parks & Rec online registration system).
• Click on the Building Blocks icon near the bottom of the page.
• Navigate to the date you want to request (be sure to click “search” so it updates to that date.  Leave the time at 12 AM).
• Click on the green “plus” box and then follow the steps to complete the request.
• If you have any trouble completing the request contact Park and Recreation.
• Please note proper permitting will need to be acquired through the City of Rochester Special Events Permit (this includes road/sidewalk closure requests and amplified sound).  This permit must be submitted 30 days in advance and does require City Council action for approval.  Look for the Special Events permit on the City Clerk’s page.  The application also contains info on renting road closure barricades.

Building Blocks User Guide

This guide is to help you understand the contents inside and setup (if necessary) for the items. Please make sure you place all items back in the proper areas/bins when packing up for the next neighborhood. Download guide here.

Tips for Optimal Trailer Usage

• Only those involved with reserving the trailer should be removing/reloading contents.
• Please do not allow children in and out of the trailer at any time.
• Keep the trailer secured when not in use, INCLUDING during the event.
• Keep grill and propane tank away from any building or flammable surface.
• Please restrain canopy at all times and refrain from using during windy weather.
• Let Parks & Rec know when an item is running low or missing (propane, sidewalk chalk, etc.) so they can replace the contents for the next user.
• Please keep the inside of the trailer clear of debris and trash, and make sure all contents are cleaned of food/drink to prevent bug infestations.
• Please sweep up the trailer prior to closing and locking after reloading items.
• Please make sure any permit not covered by trailer reservation is completed prior to use.
• ENJOY the Building Blocks trailer and connecting with your neighborhood!

Block Party Trailer Contents

The Block Party trailer is stocked with everything you need to throw a great block party. A complete list is posted here.

• Garbage cans with lids (2)
• Fire extinguisher
• 6’ folding tables (8)
• 6’ folding benches (10)
• Folding chairs (10)
• Igloo coolers 156L (2)
• Saber gas grill
• Propane tanks (2)
• Spare tire
• Wheel chocks (4)
• Hitch lock
• Master locks (3)
• First aid kit
• Broom
• 8-panel play yard for babies/toddlers
• Nametags
• 10’ x 10’ canopy with storage case
• Sandbags (4)
• Many bins full of yard & board games and activities

Enjoy Rochester’s winters in a completely new way! The Thrive Outside Winter Activity Trailer helps community members from all backgrounds and ages get outdoors, be active, socialize and enjoy winter. The trailer is filled with winter activities like sleds, snowshoes, fort-building kits, a firepit and more. Click Here for a full inventory list.

The trailer can serve up to 30 people at a time and be delivered directly to your home, school, organization or park. Reservations, delivery and pickup of the trailer are free.

Click Here to Reserve the Thrive Outside Winter Activity Trailer for the 2025-2026 winter months (November 15 - March 31) 

Support for the Thrive Outside Winter Activity Trailer was provided by local organizations, individual donors and the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Greater Rochester class of 2022. 

Get active and have fun with the Youth Connections Sports Trailer! Packed with equipment for basketball, soccer, football, and more, this trailer brings free, on-the-go sports to parks, schools, and neighborhoods across Rochester. It’s designed to help youth stay active, build skills, and connect through team play. Event organizer can request this trailer for community events, block parties and youth programs! The trailer can serve up to 30 kids at a time. Delivery and pickup are free.

Reserve the Youth Connections Sports Trailer

Check out the Inventory List of Equipment

The trailer is made possible through community support including Leadership Greater Rochester, Rochester Parks & Recreation, Scheels, Mayo Clinic, Minnwest Bank, and other local sponsors.

Reservations available during the summer/fall season (May 1 - September 30).