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Rochester Parks and Recreation

Whatever the season, a full array of recreational programs and activities are offered in Rochester for residents of all ages. Facilities to meet every need are provided including parks, sports fields, playgrounds, gymnasium, picnic areas, pools, ice arena, movie theater, health clubs, dance studios, 18-hole golf course, driving range and a senior citizen center.

The city’s Department of Recreation, Arena & Youth Services offers year-round activities and special events for all ages. Located in the Rochester’s Community Center, “The Rec” provides a 3-court gymnasium, karate dojo, dance studio, six outdoor tennis courts and a variety of rooms for meetings and functions. Fostering a healthy community is of utmost importance and the proof is in the gamut of programs offered — from summer camp to learn to skate to dodge ball to a Halloween Extravaganza. Art of the Recreation facilities is the Rochester Arena. The Arena offers ice programs during the winter including hockey, learn to ice skate, public skate, and a hugely successful Skate with Santa. During the summer season, the Arena transforms the floor into a state-of-the-art modular sporting surface for roller hockey leagues, Wiffle Ball and Dodge Ball. A Web site that lists all activities, team sports and special events can be found at www.rochesterrec.com.

The Strafford County YMCA offers fitness and other programs to area residents. Its facilities include weight and fitness rooms and an outdoor pool for fitness, aerobics and swimming programs. A summer camp program is also offered at nearby Camp Foss.

Roger Allen Park, located at Chestnut Hill Road in Rochester, is known as one of the best ballparks in New England and was developed by citizens of Rochester. The land was donated by Roger Allen, and the fields were developed by a volunteer effort. The field boasts five softball, ten baseball, five soccer, and one football field that accommodate youth softball, baseball, football, soccer and many other activities for youth in the city and the New England region. The park hosts many state and regional tournaments for youth sports. A playground for young children is also offered in the park that is open to the public.

Monsignor Giles Simard Babe Ruth Field, a field donated by Monsignor Giles Simard, is located on Brock Street in Rochester. Baseball games for 13-15 year-olds are held during the May 1 to July 31 season and older adults utilize the facility after the season ends.

Several walking and biking paths are enjoyed in the area during the spring, summer and fall months. The historic Rochester Commons offers a walking path all around the commons, ball field, playground complete with up-to-date equipment, outdoor plays and concerts. Hundreds of miles of trails in the Seacoast area are also available for equine enthusiasts.

Health clubs are found in Rochester and neighboring communities that are complete with fitness programs, weight rooms, sauna, pool and more. Golf enthusiasts enjoy the Rochester Country Club, a semi-private, 18-hole golf course complete with a grillroom, function hall and pro shop. Turnkey Driving Range is also available for those wishing to practice their swing. Several campgrounds are located in and around Rochester for those who wish to enjoy the outdoors, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and a variety of family activities.

Daring enthusiasts can take advantage of skydiving instruction that is offered over the border in Maine. Reading buffs will enjoy bookstores in the area and Rochester’s Public Library offers nearly 60,000 books to choose from. A movie theater is located in the city or movies can be rented at a number of video stores.

For those who wish to browse the Web and communicate with others around the world from home, Internet access is available from many Internet providers in Rochester and surrounding communities. In addition to telephone-based Internet providers, Rochester also offers a high speed, cable modem, Internet access service through its local cable company. For more information on these services, see the list of Internet access and Web site providers later in this publication.