SLEDDING, SKIING, ICE SKATING AND MORE IN THE PARKS.
- Sledding Hill Information
- Skiing at Powder Mills and Northampton Parks
- Ice Skating Info: There is ice skating at Highland, Ellison and Churchville Parks. Call 753-PARK(7275) Monday through Friday for conditions and open ponds. On weekends, call 753-7270 (Lamberton Conservatory).
NEARLY 12,000 ACRES IN 21 PARKS TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY!
Parks in Monroe County were established in 1888 with the creation of the Rochester Parks Commission and the dedication of Highland Park. In 1926, the county began to assume direct responsibility for the management of local parklands. Today the Parks Department operates 21 parks totaling nearly 12,000 acres. Almost all 21 County Parks have picnic and hiking areas and most are equipped with sports facilities, shelters and lodges.
- Greece Canal Park Public Input Meeting Notice
- 1994 Greece Canal Park Master Plan
- MAJOR EVENTS IN THE PARKS
- DOG PARK info
- CLICK HERE to buy a Refill Not Landfill bottle
- MORE INFO on how Refill Not Landfill helps the Parks
- Wildlife information for the Parks
Parks Mission
The Parks Department is comprised of dedicated staff working with community partners in effectively and efficiently providing an array of park services. This ensures that everyone may enjoy recreational and educational opportunities while treasuring the natural, zoological, horticultural, historical and geological features of the Monroe County Parks System.
Planning a special event in the Parks?
- Such events include those that are open to the general public, festivals, benefits, corporate functions, races, runs, walks, film/photo shoots, tournaments, athletic events, church picnics, concerts, large camping events, or those events that draw an amount of people that exceed the established lodge or shelter capacity.
- This website has all of the appropriate applications, forms and permits you'll need to have a great event experience in your parks. Most are ready to download under "FORMS YOU MIGHT NEED" or below as you scroll down.
- You can also visit the Parks Department at
The Parks Reservation System- If your event requires the use of Shelters or Lodges visit our Online Parks Reservation System or click on the links to your right. Please make sure you read the Lodge & Shelter Reservation Policy before making any reservations.
Once you're at the online reservation system:
- Request a Park
- Request a Facility (lodge or shelter)
- Request a Date
- Click "Make Reservation" and follow payment instructions.
You can also visit the Parks Department at
- Special Use Applications - If your event is open to the public or qualifies as one of the following: festivals, benefits, corporate functions, races, runs, walks, film/photo shoots, tournaments, athletic events, church picnics, concerts, or large camping events, please download and fill out a "Special Use Application" as completely as possible, and submit this form to the Parks Department with the appropriate payment for fees. You can submit this form via fax (585-753-7284), US Mail to
- Certificate of Insurance - If your event qualifies as a "special use" noted above, please obtain a copy of your organization's "Certificate of Insurance" that lists Monroe County as "additional insured" and submit it to the Parks Department via email at rloysen@monroecounty.gov, via fax to 585-753-7284, via US Mail or in person at
- Health Department Permits - If you or any vendors are providing food to the public (donated OR selling OR providing for free) fill out a Temporary Food Establishment Certification Application as completely as possible, and submit to the Health Department at Food Protection, Room 1020, 111 Westfall Road, PO Box 92832, Rochester, NY 14692, 585-753-5553.
- This excludes prepackaged, sealed items such as bottled water, pop, bags of chips, granola bars. Click here for Food at Events Guidelines to determine if you need to obtain a Temporary Food Establishment Certification Application. You can apply to waive the associated fee by submitting the Health Dept Fee Waiver to the Health Dept, too.
- Inflatables or Dunk Booths - If you are renting any Inflatables or Dunk Booths from an outside vendor, they will also need to submit a "Certificate of Insurance" to the Parks Department that lists Monroe County as "additional insured" as well.
- Event Tent Policy - Tents can only be put up in conjunction with a lodge or a shelter rental. 10 x 10 or smaller "pop up" tents without stakes DO NOT require a permit. All other tents up to 30 x 30 require a SMALL tent permit and a $40 fee. All tents larger than 30 x 30 require a LARGE tent permit and a $100 fee.
- Alcohol Policy - DOWNLOAD
Camping in Monroe County Parks
- If you would like to utilize designated camping areas for personal use or for your scout troop please call 585-872-0083 for all Winter camping or call 585-872-5326 for all other seasonal camping.
- If you intend on renting a shelter for a winter campout or Klondike Derby this season, groups are not allowed to stay overnight in any Parks facility. Rentals are not organized for overnight use so you will be required to rent the shelter for the following day if you need the shelter/lodge as a location to keep warm and hold activities in the evening hours.
Reserve a spot for a wedding ceremony and/or your wedding pictures.
If you need to reserve any of three beautiful Highland Park locations for a wedding ceremony and/or pictures, use our Online Wedding Reservation System or call 585 753-7275 (PARK).
- Weddings FAQ
- The Lamberton Conservatory - A unique indoor botanical garden that offers gorgeous flowers all year round. The varied sights make an ideal background for wedding pictures. The recently installed kitchen combined with the historical value of the Conservatory make it the perfect spot for a ceremony or small reception.
- The Lilac Arches - This large outdoor space, located in Highland Park (off Highland Avenue) includes beautiful lilac colored arches, brick pathways and flowering trees in an open air setting. This space will accommodate larger groups (up to 200), for pictures or a reception. Electricity, water and flush toilets are available.
- Need to hold your wedding or pictures elsewhere in the Monroe County Parks? Wedding Special Use Application.
