Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park

Five-acre Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square is in the heart of Center City, right next to the Strong National Museum of Play. In summer, there is open green space with walking paths, flowing water, and a playground with spray-pad. In December, the park hosts the Roc Holiday Village, the official opening of ice-skating season.

The reflecting pool in summer and ice skating rink in winter are active and loved by residents. Concerts and events are organized frequently, and the cascades behind the stage make for a beautiful backdrop.

There is a playground on the side facing the Strong National Museum of Play.

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.

The City has made the park a focus of recent urban renewal projects. In fact, the original park was planned in 1968 as an urban renewal project which served the city well for a short time but was never completed.

In 2017, after extensive rehabilitation, there is water flowing again in Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park, but this time visitors are discouraged from wading in.

Google satellite view of Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park

In the satellite image above, the reflecting pool/ice skating rink can be seen in top left, the sunken amphitheater and waterfalls, bottom left. Strong National Museum of Play is along the right side across from the playground.

Events & Festivals

The park meadow also hosts small festivals and events like Movies with a Downtown View, Rochester VegFest, and Carifest.

Concerts in the amphitheater

The 2,000-person amphitheater hosts multiple open-air summer concerts. You’ll find a wide variety of musicians playing Party in the Park and ROC the Park.

During major events like Rochester Fringe Festival in mid-September and the Rochester International Jazz Festival in late-June, the park becomes one of the concert venues.

Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

Check the city’s website for ice skating fees, hours of operation, and special events at Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park.

Roc Holiday Village

We’re so excited about this new (as of 2018) family-friendly feature in Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park! The Village has incorporated the traditional ice skating experience into an overarching holiday extravaganza complete with Santa’s workshop, shops, food & beverage, hands-on activities, and planned events.

Roc Holiday Village will be open on weekends Dec. 6, 2020 through New Year’s Eve.

Lighting of the Liberty Pole

While the pole is on Main Street, not in the park, there is a procession afterward to officially open the Roc Holiday Village and ice skating for the season. The Liberty Pole officially comes to life the first Saturday in December.

What do you enjoy most about Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!