Skip to main content

Genesee Gateway Park (Erie Harbor Enhancements - Phase II)

Image
ROC the Riverway

The ROC the Riverway initiative consolidates more than two dozen transformative projects along the Genesee River under a single concept to achieve synergy and leverage the value of Rochester’s riverfront.  Revitalizing the Genesee River corridor will help fuel our local economy. RTR will serve as a major asset in attracting new jobs and solidifying our identity as a vibrant waterfront community.  

Click here to learn more about the ROC the Riverway initiative

This project was also funded in part by a grant through the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund 

Image
Aerial photo of newly installed playground and basketball court at Genesee Gateway park including a view of the riverfront.

About the Genesee Gateway Park Project  

The City of Rochester has completed enhancements of Genesee Gateway Park and the Genesee Riverway Trail along the Genesee River. The project is the culmination of a coordinated City/State/Private initiative to revitalize the east side of the Genesee River between I-490 and Ford St. which resulted in the rehabilitation of the East River Wall (1999), the redevelopment of the Erie Harbor Apartments (2010) and Phase I of the Erie Harbor Enhancements Project (2014). It includes the rehabilitation of Genesee Gateway Park and that part of the Genesee Riverway Trail within the project area, which was disturbed by site remediation and/or adjacent construction or has deteriorated over time. 

The project area serves one of the busiest parts of the Genesee Riverway Trail, connecting Downtown Rochester and the University of Rochester. The project included park improvements to enhance the scenic quality of the waterfront and better serve the increasing demand for access and use of the area. Also included were park landscape improvements, including walkways, walls, landform, plantings, furnishings, wayfinding signage, recreational amenities, hand-carried boat launch assess to the river, and trail and river railing rehabilitation. 

In light of the intensive and increasing use of the Genesee Riverway Trail, the exceptional scenic quality of the waterfront, the success of the new mixed income housing and associated streetscape and landscape improvements from phase one of the project, the condition of the parkland had become a blighting influence. The redesign of the function and character of the site was needed to complete the major revitalization effort of the area, meet the current needs of neighborhood and city-wide users, and serve as a scenic asset, consistent with its setting on the waterfront. 

Additional Information

Image
Photo of newly installed playground at Genesee Gateway Park

Public Participation

Public Outreach & Surveys

In addition to Public Meetings the design team has captured public input through pop-up meetings and web surveys.  Summaries of this input is provided below:

Public Meeting #1

The project team hosted a Public Meeting on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The presentation and concept plan display boards can be downloaded below.  

Public Meeting #2

A second Public Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Apartments – First Floor Community Room.  Information related to the meeting can be downloaded below.  

Public Meeting #3

A third and final public meeting was held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 6:00-8:00 p.m.  The project team presented the final design plans that will be advanced to construction.