Manhattan Square Park

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msp2.jpgWinter at Manhattan Square Park

Manhattan Square Park is located on Brown & Court streets in downtown Rochester, across from the Strong Museum. Prior to the urban renewal demolition of the sixties and construction of the Inner Loop, the area occupied by Manhattan Square was a part of a residential neighborhood of houses and tenements that linked downtown to the Alexander/East area. Their demolition created the open space that is now occupied by the park. Constructed in the 1970s, the park's major features include a towering steel viewing platform and a sunken fountain area with a concert stage designed for free outdoor concerts. Each summer the park is the site for a wide variety of concerts highlighted by nationally known performers.

Winter Months - Skating and Sledding

[WWW]Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink is a popular feature open in winter months along with sledding on its many small hills.
The ice rink operates seven days a week and is open Thanksgiving through mid-March. Skate rental is $3.00 and many bring their own skates; the fee to use the ice is $4 for adults and $2 for children. Ice rental is also available for parties and community groups. Free open skate is Mon-Fri, 3:45-5:00 pm. The rink opens at noon daily and closes at 7:00pm Sun, and 8:50pm Mon-Sat. The ice rink was closed through the 2005-2006 for major renovations. It re-opened on February 8, 2008. Call (585) 428-7541 or check the city website via the link above first if you're planning on going.

There was a good bit of construction going on in/around the park starting back in late 2006 which included a small but very cool playground. The new playground has 2 big geometric rope/metal climbing frames, 2 long tube slides, 2 hills covered with super-grippy rubber for easy climbing, what looks like a sprinkler (shaped like a cattail plant) and a neat periscope (with audio!) on top of one hill.

PARK CLOSED per City Website as of July 26 2008. Park is undergoing more renovations. According to [WWW]City Council Agenda, the city has a $1.1M bond out for the renovations.

Awards

Manhattan Square Park was voted "Best Playground" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of' Awards in 2008.1

Notes and References