Turning Point Park is located on Boxart St, off Lake Ave near Charlotte Furniture & Appliance. The trail’s most striking feature is a 3,572 ft-long bridge over the Genesee River Turning Basin. Turning Point’s boardwalk takes you out into the river, close to blue herons, swans, turtles and other wildlife and is part of the greater Genesee Riverway Trail extending from Lake Ontario Beach Park south through the City of Rochester to Genesee Valley Park.
You can begin your exploration of Turning Point Park either at the Boxart St parking lot and walk downstream, or on River St. near Stutson St. and the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse walking upstream.
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While you are visiting Turning Point Park
Ontario Beach Park is a focal-point for the Charlotte neighborhood, while the Hidden Sidewalk is just out of the public view. In addition, the Genesee Riverway Trail, south of the O’Rorke Bridge, runs parallel with River St where you will find Charlotte Cemetery and the grave of infamous Rochesterian Sam Patch.
More information about Turning Point Park
- Cost: Free
- Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
- More information: cityofrochester.gov/turningpoint/
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Bill Davis, Champion of the Genesee River
In 1939, a man named Bill Davis, along with his wife, Lois Davis, moved to Rochester’s Charlotte neighborhood and began his career with Kodak. Upon retiring in 1976, Bill became involved with various community groups, including one he started–Charlotte Action Plan whose goal it was to promote and protect the area we know today as Turning Point Park. Davis initiated our current “Genesee River Romance” weekend in October that continues to serve the mission to promote and protect.
His passion for history and the environment helped to preserve the quality and usability of the Genesee River as a system. Bill’s efforts to save the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse is why it still stands today for us to enjoy.
Here are few places you can learn more about Bill’s life and legacy: Historical Marker Project, and lowerfalls.org.
