Parks & Recreation

The Adopt-a-Park Program is a community service opportunity that gives Rochester residents the chance to help keep parks clean and looking their best. Participants commit to picking up litter and reporting vandalism, broken equipment or other unsafe conditions observed in the park. 

Based on forecasted weather conditions and the final inspection occurring later today, the newly improved Silver Lake Pool is now expected to open to the public on Tuesday, June 9. 

Cascade Lake Beach, Foster Arend Beach and the Lincolnshire Splash Pad will open Saturday, May 23, kicking off summer water recreation opportunities across the city. The Soldiers Field Aquatic Center will open Friday, June 5, followed by the newly improved Silver Lake Pool and Silver Lake Splash Pad on Monday, June 8. The new McQuillan Splash Pad will also be available for residents to enjoy throughout the summer season. 

The City of Rochester Parks and Recreation Department has received an Award of Excellence in the Park & Facility category from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) for the Soldiers Field Memorial Park Improvements. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in parks and recreation across Minnesota.  

As more residents and visitors enjoy Rochester parks, trails and public spaces during the warmer months, the City of Rochester is reminding pet owners to follow local leash and pet waste rules to help keep public spaces safe, clean and welcoming for everyone. 

This summer, the City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department encourages residents to take part in Slow Mow Summer, an initiative promoting a more sustainable approach to lawn care that supports pollinators and healthier lawns. 

The City of Rochester Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with RNeighbors to invite residents to take part in a community tree planting event on Saturday, May 9, 2026, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 1707 19^th Avenue NW. 

As severe weather season begins, the City of Rochester is providing guidance to help residents understand how tree-related storm damage is addressed and what steps to take if their property is impacted. The City has updated its guidance to provide additional clarity on how tree-related storm damage is handled and the roles of City crews and property owners. 

The City of Rochester Parks and Recreation Department will begin its annual non-lethal goose management program at Silver Lake Park, Cascade Lake Park, Soldiers Field Park, and Kutzky Park as part of ongoing efforts to reduce conflicts between park users and the local Canada goose population.