New Year, New RARA: Recreation Authority Settles Into New Space

There's more room to play at the new RARA building on Second Street in Rochester. Just ask Parker the dog.

He's the unofficial mascot of the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority, according to Brandy Boyd, RARA's superintendent of recreation (and owner of Parker). 

This month marks the official opening of RARA's new home at 500 E. Second St. — about three blocks from the organization's former headquarters. RARA purchased the building last year for $1.4 million; the organization previously rented its building. RARA is supported by property taxes in Rochester Hills and Rochester and by user fees from residents of surrounding communities.

"We are excited to open up and we welcome everyone to come check out our new facility," said Boyd. "In my 13 years here, it's always been a goal for us to have our own building — it's like a dream come true to me to have a facility like this to call home."

Patch recently had a chance to tour RARA's new building. View the photos, (you'll need to be on a desktop computer to see the captions) and take the tour right along with us. Then tell us what excites you about the new RARA by leaving a comment.