Three Ways You Can Help:

Founded in 2018, the Rochester Parks Foundation is a young but steadily growing nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Rochester’s more than 100 city parks, trails, and recreational spaces.

The organization emerged from a simple but vital need: while Rochester enjoys one of just four nationally accredited park systems in Minnesota, the parks themselves receive only about 3 percent of the city’s annual budget. That level of funding covers basic maintenance, but leaves little room for new amenities, upgrades, or major capital projects.

The foundation’s purpose, co-chair John Harris says, is both straightforward and community-centered. “Everybody loves parks,” he says. “There’s a certain intrinsic value to having a good park system that makes your city more livable.”

With limited municipal funding, he adds, “sometimes there just aren’t the resources to keep the system up to date with the most engaging amenities.”

Since its founding, the Rochester Parks Foundation has supported projects across the city, including the Lincolnshire Splash Pad and the Friendship Park addition. Its current major initiative is raising $100,000 to enhance the new Silver Lake Pool, opening later in 2026. The goal is to add a climbing wall, zipline and basketball hoop--amenities designed especially for school-age children.

“We’d never attempted to raise this much money before,” Harris says. “But we’re already at about 40 to 45 percent. Every dollar counts.”

Community engagement is central to the foundation’s work. Rochester Parks Foundation partners with neighborhoods, mobilizes volunteers and coordinates the growing Adopt-A-Park program. Today, roughly one-third of Rochester’s parks are adopted by families, scout troops, churches, and neighborhood groups who provide light maintenance and report issues.

“It’s rewarding to do something that helps people,” Harris says.

How You Can Help

1. Donate. Support new amenities, upgrades and large-scale projects that enhance Rochester’s park system. Gifts can be made at rochesterparksfoundation.org.

2. Adopt a Park. Individuals, families and groups can take part in light upkeep and stewardship to help keep Rochester’s parks clean and looking good. Primary duties include picking up litter and reporting on unsafe conditions.

3. Engage. Be an active advocate for Rochester’s park system. Participate in neighborhood conversations and share ideas for new projects or upgrades to existing parks with the foundation.

At a Glance

• Founded: 2018
• Mission: “To support Rochester’s parks, trails, and recreational activities to ensure an active, healthy and vibrant community for all Rochester residents and visitors.”
• Impact: Helped fund the Lincolnshire splash pad, enhancements at Elton Hills Park and Friendship Park, and more. Currently raising funds for amenities at the new Silver Lake Pool, opening this summer.
• rochesterparksfoundation.org