Upcoming High Falls State Park: Overview & Updates
Genesee River Alliance, a Land Trust project, is working to ensure the voices of all community members - especially riverside residents in Edgerton and El Camino - are heard in the process of creating the new High Falls State Park in downtown Rochester.
It has been more than 100 years since people could regularly access the beautiful Genesee River gorge in downtown Rochester. Thanks to community and city advocacy, a new state park will be created after Rochester Gas and Electric cleans the sites. The current plan includes 40 acres of open space starting at High Falls and moving 3/4 mile north along both sides of the Genesee River.
Project & Community Engagement Timeline:
2025 (estimated): RG&E will begin remediation to clean up the land on the east side of the gorge, which includes fixing Suntru Street - a road to the site; it is expected to take 2 years
April 2025: Genesee River Alliance announces initial findings from community engagement efforts and full survey results
March 2025: Genesee River Alliance hosts Community River Forum in Edgerton neighborhood
February 2025: Genesee River Alliance hosts Community River Forum at Ibero Community Center in El Camino neighborhood
December 2024: Rochester re-opens the Pont de Rennes bridge for pedestrians to enjoy views of High Falls
November 2024: Genesee River Alliance hosts a public Community River Forum at Edgerton Rec Center with State Parks participation; OLIN, ESD, and State Parks host an Open House at MCC Downtown
July 2024: Genesee River Alliance hosts Bridging Communities riverside celebration with 600+ attendees
May 2024: Greentopia and the Community Design Center lead a breakfast and design workshop; Genesee River Alliance participates and delivers findings with Greentopia
2023: Genesee River Alliance begins community input survey, co-produces project video in English and Spanish
August 2023: RG&E begins remediation to clean up the land on the west side of the gorge, near the base of High Falls; it is expected to take 2 years
July 2023: Rochester closes the Pont de Rennes bridge for major renovations. The pedestrian-only bridge crosses the Genesee River gorge with beautiful views of High Falls.
Early 2023: State re-opens call for design proposals; final design team selection expected later in year
September 30, 2022: 150+ people visit the base of High Falls during a special walk led by Genesee River Alliance, Genesee Land Trust, Greentopia, and Tour Blend with info sessions from the New York State and RG&E (see more images below)
July 12, 2022: Genesee River Alliance holds 1st Community Input session at Ibero community center in El Camino neighborhood
May 2022: Initial concept images are shared with the public
January 2022: Gov. Hochul announces $6M in initial funding to begin planning
Initial Site Renderings by Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects:
A rendering of the proposed High Falls State Park shows the 40 acres looking southwest. The Smith Street Bridge is shown with the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge and the falls on the upper left. The draft concept shows various vehicular access, a new pedestrian river crossing, trails, an amphitheater and open space.
A site plan concept shows greater detail about the proposed High Falls state park, with space set aside for an urban ecology center, riverbank access, a restored meadow, industrial ruins and more.
A rendering of the proposed High Falls State Park shows a possible river-level view of the falls looking south at the base of the Genesee River gorge. A view from the base of the 96-foot-tall waterfall has not been open to the public for more than 100 years. RG&E has a power station to the side of the falls.
A conceptual rendering of the High Falls Waterworks Building and vertical access to the river gorge from the west side shows all-glass elevator shafts. The structure would connect people to a proposed state park down at the river level.
A rendering of the proposed 40-acre High Falls State Park shows potential river access.
A rendering of the proposed High Falls State Park depicts what the trails and river access could be once completed. The east side of the park - near the El Camino community - is envisioned as a quieter space and could have a large lawn for outdoor concerts like the RPO.
Park Site, Fall 2022:
