Parks Department
Department of Parks
171 Reservoir Avenue
Rochester, New York, 14620
Currently not serving public in person
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Hours: M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm
Phone: 585 753-PARK (7275)
Fax: 585 753-7284
Email: mcparks@monroecounty.gov
Full List of Parks - Click For Info & Maps
Covid-19 Status Updates
General Update:
As of March 22, 2021 State guidelines allow for gatherings up to 100 people for indoor facilities and 200 people for outdoor facilities. The Monroe County Park's lodge and shelter capacities have been updated in line with the current restrictions. Be advised that the most of our facilities have capacities under 100 due to fire code restrictions,
Please check back before your event as these numbers could change due to different Covid-19 trends.
At this time we are not serving the public in person.
Dog Park Info
The Dog Parks have been reopened with specific COVID-19 guidelines. There is a maximum capacity for each park and large/small dog section. Please follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask at all times. If you wish to register, printable forms can be completed and placed in our office drop box. View the Dog Parks page for more info.
Lodges & Shelters Info
Lodges & shelters are now open. All reservations must comply with New York State guidelines and limitations concerning social distancing, including but not limited to limitations on the number of people who may gather. To make a reservation use our online system or call our office at 585-753-7275. Any cancellation requests call our office 585-753-7275 for refund consideration. Please check back for future updates.
General Park Information
- Park users: practice safe social distancing.
- Practicing safe social distancing is the most important action that will help to keep our parks open.
- Practice good hygiene by appropriately washing hands.
- Although we continue to sanitize our parks and make every effort to provide a healthy environment, please make responsible decisions, based on your personal risk profile, on whether to expose yourself to others.
- We continue to monitor all recommendations and will implement as necessary. If you, a family member or someone you have been in touch with has respiratory symptoms, particularly fever, do not visit.
Online Lodge & Shelter Reservations
Secure a lodge or shelter for your upcoming event!
Make Lodge or Shelter Reservation
Online Recreation Field & Trail Reservation Requests
Request a reservation for one of the many athletic fields at any of our parks for a single day or the entire spring, summer, or fall season.
Online Wedding Reservations at Highland Park
Reserve the Lilac Arches, the Sunken Garden, or the Lamberton Conservatory in Highland Park for your wedding ceremony, reception, or pictures (not all activities permitted at all locations).
Online Campsite Reservations ar Webster Park
The webster family campground is open between May 1st and October 1st.
- Campground Rules
- Special COVID-19 Rules
- Price List for Camping Sites
- Reservation, Payment, Cancellation, Transfer, and Refund Policies
- Webster Park Info
Parks Mission
The Monroe County 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.
Events In the Parks
Clickable Online Events Calendar
Dog Park Registration
Be advised under Covid-19 restrictions our office is currently not open to the public visit dog park web page for full information
You may register your dog for the Monroe County Dog Parks at the Monroe County Parks Administrative Office, located at 171 Reservoir Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620, across the street from the Lamberton Conservatory in Highland Park. Registraion is open during regular business hours, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays (excluding Holidays). Extended application dates begin on October 1st.
Dog Park Registration (Documents, Fees, Etc.)
Seasonal Parks Information
- Athletic fields: Fields are open May 1st for the spring season, and stay open through October 31st (dependent on conditions).
- We do not permit usage from November until May.
- We start accepting Special Use Field Applications (for spring, summer, and fall seasons) each year on the last Friday of January at 8:30am.
- Boat Launches (non-motorized, canoes, kayaks, rowboats): Launches at Black Creek, Churchville, Ellison, Irondequoit Bay Park West, and Mendon Ponds Parks are available seasonally between early spring and late fall.
- Camping: Trailer, RV, Mobile Home, and tent camping for families is available at Webster Park from May 1st until October 31st. Click here to make reservations.
- Youth/ Scout tent camping is available at Greece Canal, Mendon Ponds, Northampton, and Webster Parks all year.
- Carousel: The cost is $1 per ride and children 2 and under ride for free with a paying adult.
The 2021 Schedule
- Cross-Country Skiing: Groomed trails are available at Durand Eastman, Mendon Ponds, and Webster Parks, seasonally, as conditions allow, during winter months. Please visit the Rochester Cross Country Ski Foundation website for daily conditions.
- Disc Golf: Baskets at Churchville and Ellison Parks go up for the season in mid April, and stay up until early to mid November
- Churchville Park has opened its Disc Golf course for the season.
- Ellison Park has opened its Disc Golf course for the season.
- Dog Parks: Dog parks are open all year from 7am until dusk.
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- The interior areas of the dog parks are not plowed, shoveled, or salted.
- Downhill Skiing: Groomed ski hill available at Powder Mills Park((585)-586-1470), as conditions allow, during winter months.
- Here are the brochures for Swain's Ski Resort's Learn To Ski & Snowboard at Northampton and Powder Mills Parks!
- Golf: Golf courses are located at Churchville, Durand Eastman, and Genesee Valley Parks.
- Courses are open, as conditions allow, from early spring until early November.
- Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is popular at Durand Eastman, Irondequoit Bay Park West, and Mendon Ponds Parks.
- Ice fishing is done at your own risk, and should not be done if ice thickness is not sufficient.
- Ice Skating: Groomed natural-ice surfaces are available in Churchville and Highland Parks. Ellison Park has a flooded parking lot surface.
- Ellison Ice Rink
- Churchville Ice Rink
- Highland Ice Rink
- Rinks are open, as conditions allow, during winter months.
- When ice conditions allow, rink hours are 10am until 10pm.
- Ice skating is not permitted elsewhere in the Monroe County Parks.
- Equipment is not available for rent in any park.
- Warming huts are available nearby the rinks at Churchville and Highland Parks.
- Ice conditions will vary depending on weather.
- Ice skating is done at your own risk.
- Off-Road Bicycling: Permitted only in Irondequoit Bay Park West and Tryon Park, and is strongly discouraged when trails are wet and/or muddy.
- Sledding: Designated sledding hills can be found at Black Creek, Ellison, Mendon Ponds, Northampton, and Webster Parks.
- Sledding in non-designated areas is not permitted. Please call Park Office for conditions.
- Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is permitted on designated hiking trails, or in open fields, in any Monroe County Park.
- Snowshoers should avoid walking on groomed cross country ski trails. Instead, they should walk along side them.
- Snowshoeing is done at your own risk.
- Swimming: Swimming at Ontario Beach is open daily from 11am-7pm(dependent on conditions) from Friday June 26, 2020 through and including Labor Day (September).
- Tennis and pickleball: Nets at Churchville, Ellison, Greece Canal, Ontario Beach, and Webster Parks go up for the season around May 1st and stay up until around October 31st.
Seasonal Flyers:
- Spring/Summer/Fall Activities: Click here for a flyer about Spring/Summer/Fall activities.
- Winter Activities: Click here for a flyer about Winter activities.
Special Use Permits
Special Use Permit Applications
Examples of Special Use include:
- Charity and other Runs, Bike Rides, Walks
- Open to the Public Fundraisers/ Charity Events/ Awareness Events
- Races (Snowshoe, Road, Trail, Bike, Triathlons, large XC Meets, etc.)
- Festivals, Fairs, Carnivals, Expos, public Picnics
- Concerts
- Summer Camps
- Fishing Derbies
- Large, public, outdoor recreation events (e.g. orienteering)
- Military , Police, Fire, Ambulance Trainings
- Memorial Events (Fred Doug, AIDS, Workers, Victims, Vietnam Vets
- Ticketed Events
- Religious Ed/ Info Booths
- Regattas/ Boat races
- Markets
- Large Company picnics
- Large or Open to the Public Fundraiser picnics
- Horse events/ Rides
- Commercial and Student Film/Photo Shoots
- Wellness Events/ Festivals
- Music events (e.g. Drum Corps) and Theater performances
- Motorcycle rides and Car Shows
- Food Truck events
- Other (e.g. Model Flying Field Events, Ham Radio Event, Public Safety awareness Event)
- Public programs, classes, Hikes, Tours,Trail runs, Walking classes/groups, Birding hikes, Canoe/ kayak “hikes”
- Exercise classes, Yoga, Boot camp, Running training, Fitness training, HikYoga, Disc Golf tournaments, Bike demo days
- Large Athletic/ Sports Tournaments
- Large Scout Camping Events (e.g. Klondikes, Camporees)
- Education/ Environmental Ed Events
- Sports leagues, Kickball, Softball, Ultimate Frisbee, Wiffleball, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket
Monroe County Parks: By the Numbers
- 12,000 Acres
- 21 Parks
- 32 Athletic Fields
- 300 Special Events
- Endless miles of trails
- 1 Conservatory
- 1 Public Campground
- 46 Campsites
- 4 Scout/Youth Camping Areas
- 2 Dog Parks
- with reciprocal access to 3 additional dog parks
- 2 Arboretums (Durand and Highland)
- 2 parks for Off-road cycling
- 1 Beach for Swimming
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4 Canoe and Kayak launches
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1 Fish hatchery (Powder Mills)
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1 Model airplane flying field (Northampton)
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5 parks with Pickleball courts
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4 parks with Tennis courts
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6 parks with Designated Sledding Hills
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2 parks with Downhill Skiing
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Endless Fishing
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3 parks with Groomed Cross Country Ski Trails
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2 Disc Golf Courses
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3 parks with Golf Courses
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5 Courses
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81 total Holes
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3 Ice Skating Rinks
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1 Working/Educational Farm (Springdale Farm)
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1 Bird Sanctuary (Wild Wings, Inc.)
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