Parks & Recreation

  • Silver Lake Pool on opening day, with community members swimming and enjoying the new outdoor pool while a lifeguard watches from a chair.
    City Shares 2026 Closing Dates for Pools, Beaches and Splash Pads

    Silver Lake Pool will close for the season on Sunday, August 16. Soldiers Field Aquatic Center will close on Sunday, August 23. Cascade Lake Beach, Foster Arend Beach, Silver Lake Splash Pad, Lincolnshire Splash Pad and McQuillan Splash Pad will remain open through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. 

  • A white-tailed buck with antlers stands in a wooded area.
    Rochester Controlled Archery Hunt to Begin Oct. 1 as Part of Deer Management Program

    The City of Rochester Parks and Recreation Department will conduct a controlled archery hunt this fall in designated parks and natural areas throughout the city. The city-administered hunt will take place Oct.1 through Dec. 31, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to manage Rochester’s urban deer population. 

  • Rendering of one design option for the Silver Lake Skatepark expansion, showing an expanded concrete skatepark with bowls, ramps, rails and other skate features surrounded by green space and trees.
    City Seeks Input Through Silver Lake Skatepark Expansion Survey

    The City of Rochester is inviting community members to help shape the planned Silver Lake Skatepark expansion by completing a brief online survey by Friday, August 28. The survey provides an opportunity for the skateboarding community to review two design concepts and share feedback one last time before final design is completed.

  • McQuillan Splash Pad at McQuillan Park featuring colorful water play elements, including spraying arches, ground jets, a tipping bucket, and frog-themed features. Water is running throughout the splash pad, with a playground and basketball court visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
    Splash Pad Updates: McQuillan Opens This Weekend, Silver Lake Reopens

    The McQuillan Splash Pad will open Saturday, July 25. Final inspections have been completed, and the City looks forward to welcoming residents and visitors to Rochester's newest splash pad.

  • Splash Pad at Silver Lake Pool with water turned on but nobody using it.
    Silver Lake Splash Pad Temporarily Closed

    The Silver Lake Splash Pad is temporarily closed due to a maintenance issue that requires a replacement part. The replacement part is being ordered, and the splash pad will reopen once repairs are complete. 

  • A person spreads dark wood mulch around the base of a newly planted tree in a grassy park on a sunny day, with a large black planter and blurred volunteers visible in the background.
    City of Rochester to Plant More Than 1,000 Trees and Expand Urban Forest Through State Grants

    The City of Rochester has received more than $928,000 in grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support tree planting and maintenance projects that will strengthen Rochester's urban forest, improve neighborhood resilience and expand access to the benefits trees provide throughout the community. 

  • City of Rochester logo
    Statement Regarding Townies at Soldiers Field Golf Course

    The City of Rochester is aware of a recent social media video posted by the owner of Townies regarding the air conditioning system at the Soldiers Field Golf Course clubhouse. City staff had been actively working to address issues with the aging air conditioning system and coordinating repairs to keep it operational. Early last week, the system experienced a major failure, and it was determined that the system must be replaced rather than repaired.

  • Silver Lake Pool Temporarily Closed 7/11

    The Silver Lake Pool is closed for the remainder of today, Saturday, July 11, due to a water contamination incident. The pool will remain closed while staff complete all required disinfection procedures to ensure the water meets public health and safety standards.

  • Cascade Lake Beach
    Cascade Lake Beach Reopens Following Water Testing

    Cascade Lake Beach has reopened after follow-up water testing confirmed bacteria levels have returned to a safe range for swimming. 

    The City routinely tests water quality at Cascade Lake Beach and Foster Arend Beach each week to help provide a safe swimming experience. Last week's testing found elevated bacteria levels at Cascade Lake Beach, requiring a temporary closure. Follow-up testing has confirmed the beach is safe to reopen. 

    Bacteria levels in natural bodies of water can fluctuate for a variety of reasons, including runoff after heavy rainfall, wildlife in the area and hot weather. 

    The City will continue its regular weekly water quality monitoring at both beaches throughout the summer. 

    The City thanks residents for their patience and cooperation while the temporary closure was in place.

  • Three City of Rochester Parks & Recreation staff members stand together holding Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards during a recognition ceremony at City Hall.
    City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Lifeguards Receive National Lifesaving Award

    The City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department recognized two lifeguards, Matias Vega and Eoin Porrata, for their lifesaving actions. Sam Sonnabend, Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor and former City of Rochester Outdoor Pools Manager was also  recognized for his role in lifeguard training. Vega, Porrata and Sonnabend were honored with a Red Cross National Lifesaving Award during a recognition event on July 7 at City Hall.

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