All of our Rochester parks are similar in how they bring communities together, yet unique in their presentation and amenities. Some are as simple as grass, shade, and benches, while others are robust and expansive.
Many of the city’s parks have beginnings embedded in the city’s early history. Some were designed by (and later inspired by) notable landscape architects such as Frederick Law Olmsted and Lawrence Halprin.
City of Rochester Parks
1. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square
5. Browncroft Rose Garden Park
7. Genesee Crossroads-Charles Carroll Park
City of Rochester Parks maintained by Monroe County
10. Highland Park
11. Seneca Park
12. Maplewood Park
15. Tryon Park
Olmsted-Designed Parks
In addition to Highland Park, Seneca Park, Maplewood Park, and Genesee Valley Park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., he, along with his son and the Olmsted Firm, went on to design several more City of Rochester parks.
16. Susan B. Anthony Square Park
17. Cobb’s Hill Park
22. Schiller Park
Honorable Mention
23. While not technically a park, we certainly couldn’t leave out Mount Hope Cemetery!
Rochester’s Olmsted Designed Parks
Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities that have a park system comprised of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks.
5 Places in the City to Enjoy the Genesee River
At Genesee Valley Park, the Genesee River begins her journey through the city, racing over a dam and three waterfalls before emptying into Lake Ontario.
There are over 200 Rochester area parks (New York State Parks, Monroe County Parks, Town Parks, and City Parks) within a 2-hour drive.
Rochester’s Fun Facts: Oldest, Original, Only, & More!
I’ve been gathering Rochester’s fun facts for several years and am so excited to gather them all together here! Just some of what makes Rochester special!
These town parks have a unique offering of woods, wildlife, and water features to explore using pavement, hard-pack dirt, wood chips, gravel and boardwalk.
County Parks: Our Favorite 5 to Explore
The Monroe County Parks systems includes 20 parks that are all worth exploring, but these are the five you absolutely must see if you haven’t already!
State Parks: Our Favorite 5 to Explore
Within a 2-hour drive of Rochester, there are 44 New York State Parks all worthy of exploration, but try our favorite five if you haven’t already!
Which are your favorite City of Rochester parks?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!