Maplewood Park is a linear park that follows the river from Driving Park Blvd. and the Lower Falls to just north of Route 104, ending at the pedestrian bridge over the Genesee.
Lower Maplewood Park
The parking lot at the Maplewood Rose Garden in Lower Maplewood is your starting point when visiting the Lower Gorge and Falls.
Maplewood Rose Garden
Maplewood showcases 300 rose varieties that bloom between mid-June and late November. The Greater Rochester Rose Society formally dedicated it in 1951 and has lovingly cared for the fragrant flowers ever since.
Tours of the Lower Falls Gorge begin near the parking lot near the historical markers for Kelsey’s Landing and Casconchiagon. Tours are offered periodically and are typically included in Rochester’s Flower City Feeling Good Guided Walks schedule.
Expert guides will share the gorge’s geological and human history. You will definitely learn something new! The tours I’ve been on go under the Driving Park bridge to Lower Falls, and then on to Middle Falls, which is managed by RG&E.
Lower Falls Park
This area, below the YMCA, is where you can observe the Genesee River’s Lower Falls, with walking paths that meander throughout the green space to a fairly unusual art installation.
Middle Falls
Middle Falls can be reached via the Genesee Riverway Trail and is managed by RG&E. It’s more intriguing than spectacular, though not nearly as impressive as Rochester’s Lower and High Falls.
Middle Maplewood Park
Continuing north along the Genesee Riverway Trail takes you through Middle Maplewood, located in the Seneca Parkway area just south of Route 104. The GRT takes you under both the Driving Park and Memorial Bridges.
Fun fact: Frederick Law Olmsted designed Seneca Parkway as a way to connect the residential neighborhood to the Seneca Park system, creating a seamless transition between the neighborhood and the park. You can see his park-system philosophies at work on a larger scale in Buffalo.
Upper Maplewood Park
About 1.5 miles north of the waterfalls, the Upper Maplewood section connects to the Pure Waters Pedestrian Bridge over the Genesee River gorge, linking to Seneca Park.
More information about Maplewood Park
Cost: Free
Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
More information: cityofrochester.gov/maplewoodpark
Explore More
2025 Roc the Riverway Weekend: September 26–28
Roc the Riverway Weekend, October 4–6, highlights the Genesee River’s natural beauty, historical significance, and plans for its future.
The 20-acre Seneca Park Zoo is a small portion of the 300-acre county park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893.
Rochester’s Olmsted-Designed Parks
Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities with a park system comprised of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks.
16 Places to Visit After Heavy Rains
These creeks, rivers, and waterfalls rage after heavy rains or quick snow-melts, offering a spectacular multi-sensory experience.
Where is your favorite spot in Maplewood Park?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Help Support My Work
People often ask if I get free access to the places I visit. The answer is no—unless I’m invited to a special preview or offered behind-the-scenes access through my media role. Most of the time, I don’t even mention Day Trips Around Rochester, New York when I visit a place. I want to have the same experience you would.
I create and share this content because it brings me joy—and I hope it adds value to your adventures, too.
If my work has helped you explore and appreciate the Rochester area, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. You’ll receive an email whenever I publish new content and have the chance to connect with a growing community of local explorers.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to keep producing meaningful and helpful content.
Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
Pingback: Seneca Park Zoo | Maplewood Park | Flower City Virtual Tours