RNeighbors, Rochester Neighborhood Resource Center

10/13/2026

Before we get to the recent trash pickup pics here are some chalk doodles from The Manor Neighborhood. There are still neighborhood Chalk the Block kits available until the snow flies.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0SGj3dtINkNBYKiK_yeezbddeN4eTpd3KcjaHfJeOJN9iwA/viewform

10/11/2026

Yesterday was a gorgeous (and warm!) day to plant 100 new street trees in the Badger Ridge neighborhood at the Fall 2026 Community Tree Planting! A huge green, leafy thanks to the 100+ volunteers who came out to help expand our urban forest.
This program would not be possible without amazing partners: Rochester Park & Recreation, Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, Sargent's Gardens Inc., and Davey Lawn and Tree. Shout out to Waste Management for the event sponsorship as well. What an amazing team effort to keep our streets shaded for decades to come.

10/06/2026

Huge community shout out to Hosanna Lutheran Church in Rochester for their grandly successful metal recycling event!

165 vehicles hauled in 5 trailer loads and 3 open box truck loads of metal, equaling a massive 28,000 pounds. That is roughly the weight of a full-size transit bus of metal kept out of our local landfills and ditches! Thank you!

10/05/2026

What does community mean to you?

Local artist Tierney of Mixie madness 507 recently asked Riverside Central Elementary School - Rochester, MN students this question, and their answers blossomed into a gorgeous chalk quilt mural! Older students teamed up with younger ones to bring their creative visions of community to life.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in making this vibrant chalk artist residency happen which was funded by an RNeighbors grant, written and imagined by Lisa Becker! Check out the full story here: https://www.rneighbors.org/blog-uploads/riverside-elementarys-chalk-artist-residency

10/01/2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 City of Rochester Garden Grants program! An opportunity to add some native greenery to your neighborhood.

09/28/2026

Fall Litter Bit Better is almost here! Join in October 3–11, 2026, to help keep Rochester clean and green. Gather your family, neighbors, or coworkers, pick a site on our live map, and register today! Partners: City of Rochester, MN Government, Olmsted County Environmental Resources, Durst Outdoor Services.

Here's a few pics from the 2010 pickup which included scouts, places of faith, and business volunteers. Get all the details, guides, and registration info here: https://www.rneighbors.org/events/2026-fall-litter-bit-better

09/09/2026

Registration is open for the 2026 A Litter Bit Better Fall Cleanup!
Join in October 3–11 to help keep Rochester litter-free before winter snow flies. Pick up on your own or gather your family, friends, neighbors or coworkers and make a difference! Choose a location, pick a day, and pick it up. Trash bags are provided!

Register now and find cleanup locations, maps, tips and more: https://www.rneighbors.org/events/2026-fall-litter-bit-better
Every piece of litter picked up makes a difference for our community and local waterways. Let's make Rochester a ! Partners include City of Rochester, MN Government, Olmsted County Environmental Resources, and Durst Outdoor Services.

09/02/2026

Branch out and make your voice heard! Share your input on Rochester's street trees: qr1.be/OIZY4E

The City of Rochester is developing a Street Tree Master Plan, which will help decide what types of trees will be planted, where trees will be planted, and how they will be cared for in the future.

We want your input on the future of Rochester’s street trees! Visit qr1.be/OIZY4E to take the community survey.

09/02/2026

The City of Rochester and Rochester Public Utilities crews are actively responding to storm damage.

If you're seeing downed trees or storm debris blocking a road, sidewalk or other public area, please report it to Rochester 311.

Phone lines may be busy. You can report issues through the Rochester 311 app or online at rochestermn.gov/311 to help get information to crews as quickly as possible.

IMPORTANT: If you see a downed tree, branches or other debris touching or near a power line, stay away and do not touch it. Report the hazard to RPU at 507-280-9191 or the non-emergency dispatch line at 507-328-6800 so crews can respond safely.

Thank you for helping us identify and respond to storm damage across Rochester.

06/17/2026

A big thank you to the Summer of Service students for keeping our neighborhoods clean and helping protect Rochester’s waterways this summer!

The group spent time around Wedgewood Hills Park marking storm drains with decals reminding everyone that Only Rain Goes Down the Storm Drain. While they were out, they also cleaned debris from storm drains, curbs, and gutters, collecting an impressive 30 pounds of litter and debris. That’s 30 pounds of pollution that won’t wash into our streams, rivers, and lakes during the next rainstorm!

We are grateful for these students' dedication to keeping our community and local waters clean during their summer break.

Inspired to help? Litter cleanups can happen any time of year. Whether you pick up a few pieces of litter during a walk or participate in programs like Litter Bit Better or ⁠Adopt-a-Drain⁠, every little bit helps protect our waterways and keeps our community clean. City of Rochester, MN Government Adopt-a-Drain MN