Next to The Strong National Museum of Play, the five-acre Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park hosts various events throughout the year. The most popular are the Rochester International Jazz Festival in June, Party in the Park on Thursday nights during the summer, the Rochester Fringe Festival in September, and Roc Holiday Village in December. In winter, the reflecting pool transforms into an ice-skating rink.
The park’s most notable feature is its 2,000-person sunken concrete amphitheater, designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin in 1972. In 2017, after undergoing extensive rehabilitation, the fountains were restored and now feature renewed public art and a partial quote by Dr King: “…Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
The park is also part of Rochester’s Neighborhood of Play, where you’ll find the Strong National Museum of Play, Nerdvana, the new Hampton Inn Downtown, and various breweries, bars, and restaurants.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The sunken plaza
Clearly, the most striking and memorable feature of the park is the sunken concrete plaza.
Designed in 1972 by Lawrence Halpbern, it was trendy at the time, though the concept never really caught on with residents, and in many ways still hasn’t. The fountains ran until the mid-80s but fell into disrepair.
Rochester has made the area a focus of recent urban renewal projects. The original park, planned in 1968 as an urban renewal project, served the city well for a short time but was never completed.
In 2017, after extensive rehabilitation, water began flowing again in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park; however, this time, visitors were discouraged from wading in.
Google satellite view of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
In the satellite image above, the reflecting pool/ice skating rink is in the top left, and the sunken amphitheater and waterfalls are in the bottom left. Strong National Museum of Play is across from the playground on the right.
Events & Festivals
The park meadow also hosts small festivals and events, such as the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester VegFest, Rochester Fringe Festival, and Carifest. The 2,000-person amphitheater hosts multiple open-air summer concerts. Various musicians play Party in the Park and ROC the Park.
Roc Holiday Village
Rochester has a deep-seated nostalgia for Christmastime downtown, which is centered on Yuletide festivities, shopping, and refreshments. One of our newest traditions—which we adore—is Roc Holiday Village.
Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
The city’s website provides information on ice skating fees, hours of operation, and special events at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.
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Strong National Museum of Play
The Strong National Museum of Play boasts the world’s most extensive collection of play-related historical materials.
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Many of our City of Rochester parks have beginnings embedded in Rochester’s youth. Some were even designed by notable landscape architects.
21 Ice Skating Rinks Around Rochester
All indoor ice skating rinks, plus a few outdoor rinks, offer skate rentals. For outdoors, we need an extended forecast of sub 32 degrees.
What do you enjoy most about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square?
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People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
