Ideas for Ampitheater, New Park Are Detailed in Rochester's Master Parks Plan

The city of Rochester's five-year action plan for parks and recreation includes the creation of a new park — called Bunker Park — along the Clinton River and the building of a new ampitheater inside Rochester Municipal Park.

Those are two of several specific projects detailed in the city's five-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Rochester Planning Commission will hear comments on the master plan at a 7:30 p.m. meeting at Rochester City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

The Parks and Recreation Plan is intended to guide future city parks and recreation programs, services, operations and maintenance for the next five years. It is also intended to form the basis for future grant-funding applications for city parks and recreation use. (A copy of the plan accompanies this story).

The plan includes several projects over the next five years:

2012

• Expansion of the Rochester Community Garden
• Renovation of trails and expansion of handicap accessibility at Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve.

2013

• Adding an entryway to Rochester Municipal Park off Paint Creek Trail and improving barrier-free accessibility in the park.
• Building of a new ampitheater inside Rochester Municipal Park. The city has received a private donation for the project; it would be located on the south side of the park.

2014

• A paved pathway to the pond in Howlett Park.
• Tree plantings at Scott Street Park.
• A kiosk and trailhead to the Paint Creek Trail at Halbach Field.

2015

• Improvements to Elizabeth Park, including benches and landscaping.
• The addition of waste bins and benches along the Paint Creek Trail.

2016

• Development of Bunker Park, a proposed park between the Clinton River between South Street, directly southeast of downtown. The park would be designed to honor the area's heritage as a manufacturing site for World War II polishes, waxes and photoflash flares.
• Replacement of the Paint Creek Trail bridge north of Woodward.

Other proposed projects, which have not been scheduled, include development of a Town Square and the creation of a proposed Twin Rivers Park, which would be developed where the Paint Creek and the Clinton River meet near downtown.