Genesee Land Trust and Genesee River Alliance Host Free Event to Connect Neighbors in Edgerton and El Camino to Nature, Gather Input on River Projects
Genesee Land Trust, our region’s land and water conservation organization since 1989, will close Driving Park Bridge to host Bridging Communities 2025 on Saturday, July 26th.
Genesee River Alliance – a Land Trust initiative since 2019 – organizes the annual riverside celebration in partnership with the City of Rochester to help more people connect to the river and their neighbors – especially families and elders in the Edgerton and El Camino areas.
Bridging Communities offers free outdoor fun for everyone – right in the urban core of Rochester. A hot lunch will be provided thanks to generous support from Land Trust members, partners, and event sponsors.
More than 600 people – including 200 youth – joined last year’s inaugural event. Organizers anticipate 50+ community organizations and similar neighborhood attendance this year.
Bridging Communities 2025 will feature additional health resources, including free Zumba classes hosted by the YMCA. Rochester Regional Health’s mobile healthcare clinic will also provide free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, and help applying for health insurance.
Attendees can also join historic tours of Lower Falls and will have a chance to learn about river-related projects, including the upcoming High Falls State Park, Inner Loop North, and ROC the Riverway.
Event Details:
Sat. July 26th, Noon – 4 pm
Guided history walk of Lower Falls at 12:30, 1:45, 3 pm
Driving Park Bridge & Maplewood Park Rose Garden
Free – including hot lunch and all activities
Activities Include:
ROC City Circus, bounce house, face painting, costumed characters, bike raffle, DJ, guided walks
Quotes:
"Bridging Communities is more than a celebration, it brings neighbors together to uplift our heritage, improve our health, and create community connections along the Genesee Riverway. It's about belonging, bridging gaps, and building-together."
– Helen Dumas, Sr. Director of Programs and Community Engagement
Bridging Communities Press Kit: https://geneseelandtrust.mediavalet.com/portals/bridgingcommunities25
2025 Bridging Communities Sponsors include:
Bridge Builder: ESL Federal Credit Union
River Keepers: FIFCO USA, Wegmans Food Markets
Water Advocate: Canandaigua National Bank
Friends: Allied Financial, Climate Solutions Accelerator, CMIT Solutions, Heveron & Heveron, UR Institute for Human Health and the Environment
About Genesee Land Trust:
Genesee Land Trust preserves and protects natural lands and waterways that enhance the quality of life in the Greater Rochester region—providing wildlife habitat, locally grown food, and connections to nature—for everyone. Genesee Land Trust works across Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, Cayuga, and Seneca counties. Founded in 1989, Genesee Land Trust has permanently protected more than 9,700 acres of land, including 19 public nature preserves, 40 family farms, and more than 30 privately owned woods, wetlands, and meadows. A growing group of about 1,000 members support the non-profit organization, which also connects people to nature through complimentary events and educational programming. In 2019 the Land Trust founded the Genesee River Alliance, a leading advocacy group working with city and state leaders on river-related projects like the new state park at High Falls.
Media Contact:
Elliotte Bowerman
Director of Communications
Genesee Land Trust
(585) 256-2130 x200
(585) 450-3938
ebowerman@geneseelandtrust.org