City of Rochester, MN

11/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2025 11:26

Work at Silver Lake Park Pauses for Winter; Playground Opening November 8

As colder weather sets in, construction at Silver Lake Park is winding down for the season and one exciting milestone is nearly complete. The new West Playground is expected to open for play on Saturday, November 8, 2025, giving residents and visitors a chance to enjoy the new space before winter arrives.

The playground marks a major step forward in the ongoing improvements at Silver Lake Park, part of the Silver Lake Park and Trail Area Master Plan. Earlier this summer, the Indigenous Gathering Area was completed and opened to the public, offering a meaningful new space for reflection and connection. Work will continue in 2026 on the new aquatics center and skate park, both key features of the overall improvement plan. These projects are funded by the local Parks referendum and State Grants and additional funding from the City.

"The Silver Lake Park improvements are designed to enhance recreation, access and enjoyment for everyone in our community," said Mike Nigbur, Parks and Forestry Division Head. "We're excited to open the West Playground and look forward to completing the rest of the project next year."

The development of the Silver Lake Master Plan was guided by extensive community engagement, with residents playing a key role in shaping the park's vision and priorities. That public input influenced design elements throughout the site, from inclusive play features to improved trails and gathering spaces, ensuring the park reflects the community's diverse needs and values.

Construction will resume in spring 2026 as crews complete the remaining park and trail enhancements. More information about the Silver Lake Park project, including design details and progress updates, is available on the City of Rochester website.

City of Rochester, MN published this content on November 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 05, 2025 at 17:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]