Construction Officially Begins on Silver Lake Skate Park Expansion in Rochester

A couple of months ago, my 12-year-old son came up, hesitated for a second, and said, "Dad, don't be mad... but I've been emailing the city council and mayor."

Immediately I thought, why are you bugging these busy people? But then I asked to read the emails. Seeing how polite and articulate he was made me very proud, and the news that came out today is going to make him very happy.

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In his email to city leaders, my son referenced an open letter I wrote to the 'potheads and punks' at the Rochester skate park. He also shared some ideas and asked when the project would start.

Mayor Norton responded to thank my son for reaching out and connected him with the parks department. Paul Widman, Director of the Rochester Parks Department, read the email and responded with a note saying, "We are moving forward with renovating the skatepark. I believe the concerns you shared are included in the updates." City Councilman Dan Doering also sent a note saying he'd be an advocate during the design process.

I wanted to mention those people by name because they could have easily ignored my son's email, but they took the time to respond, and I know my son appreciated that very much.

On to the good news... On Tuesday, the City of Rochester sent a press release announcing the start of the skate park expansion. See the construction timeline below.

TSM Rochester

What’s Being Added to Silver Lake Skate Park?

• New Features: Crews are installing fresh quarter-pipe ramps, rails, and hubbas (raised ledges specifically designed for grinds and slides).
• Better Flow: A brand-new turnaround bank is being added to the north end, allowing skaters to hold their momentum, change direction, and continue through the park.

Is Silver Lake Skate Park Closed During Construction?

Fencing is up around the active work zones, but skaters can still use the rest of the facility throughout construction.

When Will Construction on Silver Lake Skate Park Be Completed?

Crews will work through the fall, pause for the winter, and pick back up in spring 2027. The skate park expansion is expected to be completed by the middle of next summer.