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.
Learn more about the history and geology during a guided walk with the Lower Falls Foundation.
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
From the City of Rochester website:
“Located off Driving Park Ave., the Rose Garden features more than 3,000 rose bushes that include everything from the antique “Malmaison” to the recently-created hybrid “Princess Diana.” The roses infuse an acre of land with their fragrant scent and bold colors from early June until nearly Thanksgiving.
“Each June during the peak bloom time, The Rose Festival celebrates both the neighborhood and the park with a parade, music, gorge tours, garden tours, children’s activities, arts & crafts, and tours of historic homes around the area.”
Guided walking tours of Maplewood Park
Typically, the Lower Fall Gorge Tours begin near the large parking lot. Look for the historical markers for Kelsey’s Landing and Casconchiagon.
Expert guides will share the geologic and human history of the gorge. You will definitely learn something new! The tours I’ve been on walk under Driving Park bridge to Lower Falls, then on to Middle Falls, managed by RG&E.
Lower Falls Park
This area, below the YMCA, is where you’ll be able to 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 is accessible via the Genesee Riverway Trail, and is managed by RG&E. It’s more interesting than spectacular–not nearly as impressive as Lower and High Falls.
Middle Maplewood Park
Continuing north along the Genesee Riverway Trail will take 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, making it feel part of the park. You’ll can appreciate his work on a grander scale in Buffalo.
Upper Maplewood Park
The Upper Maplewood section, about 1.5 miles north of the falls, has a pedestrian bridge over the Genesee River gorge, connecting to Seneca Park.
More information about Maplewood Park
Cost: Free
Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
More information: cityofrochester.gov/maplewoodpark
ROC the Riverway Weekend: Oct. 1-3, 2021
Held every October, ROC the Riverway Weekend is a celebration of life along the river, with City-sponsored activities, tours, and events.
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
In the heat of summer, some of these creeks and rivers have very low water volume. But after heavy rains or quick snow-melts they rage.
The Seneca Park Zoo is only a small part of the 297-acre Seneca Park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893.
Where is your favorite spot in Maplewood Park?
Please share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments. Your insight and experience are invaluable!
