Future development

Aerial view of Graham Park looking north toward downtown Rochester.

One of Olmsted County’s bonding priorities is to seek funding from the Minnesota legislature to further enhance Graham Park. Graham Park has served southeast Minnesota as a community asset for more than 100 years for agriculture, community events, entertainment, and youth athletics.

Olmsted County is requesting $12,451,000 in state capital investment for 50% of the cost for the adaptive reuse and facilities conversion at Graham Park, a 60-acre parcel of public land in Rochester owned by Olmsted County. This investment assures that this site, and its 100 years of history, will continue to be a welcoming place for all residents to gather, celebrate, and learn.

Expected benefits include:

  • Ability to host additional events and activities.
  • Enhance entertainment opportunities and quality of life in the region.
  • Generate new tourism to the region.
  • Positive economic impacts.

Graham Commons

The 2024 bonding proposal seeks state funding to preserve historic structures and add complementary facilities in the commons areas of Graham Park. This will help fulfill the expressed community and neighborhood desire for ethnically diverse and affordable family and community-friendly spaces.

Project details

Preserve open space in an urban setting ~ Re-purpose historic structures ~ Offer affordable amenities.

As the county becomes more diverse, distinct populations are seeking affordable venues for community gatherings to celebrate their heritage and cultural traditions. Investments in Graham Park will help ensure this remains a special place for people of all backgrounds to gather, celebrate, and learn well into the future.

Concept image of renovated Highway Department Building (entry looking northeast).

Exhibition center

An initial market study and master plan for Graham Park in 2018 created a vision for revitalizing this community asset as a year-round community place to gather, celebrate, and learn. New and improved facilities, like the Graham Exhibition Center, which received $8 million in state support in 2023 and $22 million of local funds, will increase the site's flexibility to accommodate a wider range of events and activities.

With 30,000 square feet of exhibit space, there is no other facility in the Rochester area at this time that can offer this type of venue for business, agriculture, and recreational events. The exhibition center would meet the needs of equestrian and animal agriculture with its 150’ x 250’ main show ring with seating for up to 1,500 spectators, a 125’ x 200’ warm-up ring, and space for 250 portable stalls.

Graham Expo Center

Variety of events at Graham Park 

  • Community events (drive-in movies, chalk the block, fundraisers).
  • Cultural, ethnic, and family celebrations (quinceañeras, weddings, baptisms, graduations, family reunions).
  • Farmers and pop-up markets (Rochester Farmers Markets).
  • Commercial kitchen.
  • Agriculture shows and sales.
  • Trade shows.
  • Concerts and festivals.
  • Entertainment events (rodeos, bull riding).
  • Youth athletics (hockey).
  • Free Fair.

The number of events at Graham Park has steadily increased over the past few years. The number of days reserved for use of Graham Park facilities more than doubled from 2021 to 2023. Use of Graham Park space continues to trend positively for 2024, with many buildings already booked. This increased demand has highlighted the limitations of the current space and capacity at Graham Park facilities.

Economic impact

Enhanced Graham Park facilities are projected to increase the total annual economic benefit from $5.5 million to nearly $13.7 million annually. It also means Graham Park will be used 200 more days out of the year supporting an additional 50 unique events. 

Further information

Graham Park is managed by Olmsted County with the Rochester Park & Recreation Department managing the Graham Arenas. It features approximately 147,000 square feet of event space across 11 facilities.

The Graham Park is available for dry floor events year-round and for ice skating events from October through June. Dry floor events can include trade shows, private celebrations, concerts, youth and adult hockey games and tournaments, equestrian shows, and bull riding. 

Graham Park also hosts the annual Olmsted County Fair, an event first held on this land in 1912. Held in late July, the Fair is an opportunity to exhibit and compete in agricultural products, livestock, crafts and handiwork, and food, attracting an estimated 200,000 visitors annually. The Fair has become a significant local cultural event and summer staple for those in the community as well as in the broader region.

Graham Park stats

  • City/State: Rochester, MN
  • Owner: Olmsted County
  • Operator: Olmsted County (with Rochester Park & Recreation Department operating Graham Arenas under agreement)
  • Acreage: 57 acres
  • Parking: 299 spots
  • Exhibit space: 147,000 square feet
  • Meeting space: 27,700 square feet
  • Largest contiguous space: 28,000 feet
  • Largest arena concert capacity: 1,600 maximum capacity
  • RV spaces: 60 RV hook-ups