Earlier in May, the City of New Rochelle celebrated the official ribbon-cutting of its first-ever Downtown Recreation Center, a new community activity and events hub.
“Historically, the Department of Parks and Recreation never had its own indoor facility to call its own,” says Vincent Parise, the commissioner of parks and recreation for New Rochelle. “This has been years in the making.”
Developed by the Department of Parks and Recreation, with support from Audi of New Rochelle, the center brings new opportunities for community gathering in the bustling city. While the department does have a senior center, it’s utilized by the senior community most days. Located on the second floor of the New Roc building in the Vanguard District, this dynamic 3,000-square-foot facility is the first indoor recreation space of its kind in the downtown corridor.
“As we invest in the future of New Rochelle, it’s essential that we provide safe, enriching spaces where residents of all ages can learn, grow, and build positive connections with one another,” notes Wilfredo Melendez, New Rochelle’s city manager. “This center reflects that mission, serving as both a home for Parks and Recreation and a vibrant community asset for all New Rochelleans to enjoy.”
The new center is within walking distance to other community hubs like the train station, the library, the post office, and new residential buildings. “This would be special anywhere, but the fact that it’s in the heart of downtown, where the city is booming right now, makes it even more special,” Parise shares.
With an open floor plan, the recreation center gives ample opportunities for different kinds of programming across all ages. It is built to serve families, children, seniors, and youths with fun, engaging, and enriching activities.
“We didn’t overthink it,” says Parise. “It’s an open space that is multi-use.”
In addition to hosting a rotating program of public events led by Parks and Rec, the center will also act as a home base for community groups such as the New Rochelle Youth Bureau and Senior Center, giving them a flexible space of their own to host community moments throughout the year.
“It’s not predicated on the school year calendar,” Parise adds. “We can do programming at our own pace, which is exciting. We love bringing things to families that they may not get through a sports organization or school. This is a blank slate, and we’ve never had anything like this before.”
Regular programming at the downtown recreation center currently includes Little Movers (ages 3-5) on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Youth Bureau’s Elite Steppers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Past programs since the center’s soft launch in January included a cheer clinic, spring break basketball camp, hands-on science program, and mommy and me classes.
“The opening of the Downtown Recreation Center directly supports the City’s work plan priorities — particularly our commitment to creating equitable and accessible opportunities for our youth,” Melendez shares.
So far, the response has been great. Residents are able to walk the downtown and stop in to their programmed event before or after enjoying this part of the city.
Looking ahead, the Parks and Recreation Department will continue to grow its programming, with the next community-wide event planned for this summer in collaboration with Mad Science. Residents can also look forward to the kickoff of Parks season at the end of May with this year’s offerings building on the energy of the Downtown Recreation Center — reinforcing the City’s commitment to active, accessible, and community-focused recreation all year long.
“The possibilities are endless,” Parise observes. “We really want to service the entire downtown for all ages.”
For more information on Parks programming at the Downtown Recreation Center, visit the City’s website here and follow along on social media @NewRoParks.
