General Information
Genesee Valley Park is a Fredrick Law Olmstead designed park that is dominated by three intersecting waterways, Red Creek, the Genesee River and the New York State Barge Canal. This pristine park offers eight open air shelters for rental.
The park is an ideal access point to a major network of trails along the river and canal as well as the route 390 bike trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway. Also included in the park are baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a cricket pitch and two 18 hole golf courses. Additional golf course information can be obtained by calling 585 424-2920 or visiting the website.
For information and reservations please call 585 753-PARK (7275) or go to our Online Parks Reservation System.
Location and Directions
Genesee Valley Park is located along the eastern bank of the Genesee River within the City of Rochester. Enter the park from Elmwood Avenue at Moore Road or East River Road or Crittenden Road.
Click to get detailed directions.
Download park map (224k PDF).
View GIS photo of the park.
History
The idea for the park was conceived within the first year of the Rochester Park Commission as one of two major parks they would develop first. During the initial planning stages, the two parks were referred to as “North” and “South.” The “South Park” was named Genesee Valley Park in reference to the area’s Native American heritage—and of course its major feature, the Genesee River. The rolling pastoral fields of the area were emphasized in this 800-acre park’s design by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Visit the The Landmark Society of Western New York—Olmsted Parks for more information.
Rules and Regulations
Genesee Valley Park is open daily 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. and has a carry in-carry out rule, which means you must take all your garbage with you for disposal after leaving the park. Glass is not allowed. All pets must be leashed and you are responsible for cleaning up after them.
Amplified music is not permitted at the Tupelo, Dogwood, Hawthorne and Red Creek shelters.
For a complete listing of the Parks regulations download the Monroe County Parks Law document (52k PDF).
Park Hours
April 1st until October 31st, the park is open everyday from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Shelters are available to rent from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Restrooms
Genesee Valley has two restrooms placed on either side of the park. The first one is located between the Hawthorne and Dogwood Shelters. The second bathroom is located on the Elmwood Road side of the park next to the Roundhouse Shelter. See the park map for specific locations (the bathrooms are the small orange circles).
Trails
Before heading out to Genesee Valley Park print the map. The color coded hiking trails and additional details will keep you on the right track.
There are two trails located in Genesee Valley Park, they are the Red Creek Trail and the Genesee Greenway. The Genesee Greenway sretches from Lehigh Valley Trail Park, and to Downtown Rochester.
Sports Fields
There are many different sporting fields located throughout the park. Three baseball diamonds arelocated off Crittenden Road, and four others are located off East River Road. There is also one Soccer field near East River Road entrance. Located near baseball field number 7 is a Cricket Pitch, also available for use. For field rental please call Lisa Nicolay at 585 753-PARK (7280). See the park map for specific locations.
Golf Courses
Genesee Valley Park has two golf courses. There is the North Golf Course and the South Golf Course. Both are located off of East River Road, for more information contact the club house at 585 424-2920. See the park map for specific locations and visit the website for more information.
