Photos by Karen Fien
Located along the eastern bank of the Genesee River within the City of Rochester, Genesee Valley Park was designed by revered landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
When hired by the Rochester Parks Commission, Olmsted advised the Commission to purchase land for parks that will take advantage of the natural beauty of the Genesee River, the abundant waterways and the peaceful rolling hills, all part of the vistas that make up the City of Rochester, and the Genesee Valley Park landscape.
Genesee Valley Park is one of the oldest parks in Rochester, consisting of 800 acres with three intersecting waterways, Red Creek, the Genesee River and the Erie Canal. Olmsted’s design plans, based on public parks he visited in England, focus on the idea that a park belongs to all people and should be a place for relaxation, rumination, rest and restoration.
Olmsted utilized every aspect of park space, engaging picturesque surroundings as elements for healing and restorative experiences for the viewer, factors he believed nature provided. His design for the park included a Sheep’s Meadow, employing rolling hills, expansive spaces, and a herd of 80 grazing sheep that kept the grasses trimmed. The original Sheep’s Meadow is now a golf course.
Genesee Valley Park was designed by Olmsted with miles of pathways meandering along the Genesee River with curves and trails that take advantage of the play of light and shadows along the way. There are also four foot bridges crossing the Genesee River and Erie Canal. Along with the mental health that parks provide, physical health needs are met with the ability to walk around in these scenic, wide open spaces.
Today, Genesee Valley Park provides opportunities for many recreational activities including softball, biking, bird watching, cricket, fishing, golf, hiking, kayaking and many multi-use athletic fields.
Genesee Valley Park – Home of the Genesee Rowing Club (GRC)
Located in Genesee Valley Park, at 1 Hawthorne Drive, the Genesee Rowing Club calls the park home. The Mission of the Rowing Club is, “Serving Rochester in all ways rowing. From beginner to elite, the Genesee Rowing Club is committed to bringing our community together through the sport of rowing.”
GRC crew coach, Liana Spencer, says rowing is a sport that has no age limit, “We have rowers of all ages, our youngest is 22 and our oldest is 81. We really have a place for anyone, over the age of 18, who wants to experience rowing.”
Genesee Valley Park provides the perfect setting to explore the waterways by boat. “It is wonderful to be out in nature. The river and canal provide great options to experience all the views and beautiful hills along the way. It is so spacious and majestic, the scenery contributes to the rowing experience. We are very fortunate to be able to explore our city through the rowing club,” Coach Spencer said.
Greece resident Kelley Stoll has been a member of GRC for 10 years, she has been rowing competitively for 14 years. She joined GRC because, “GRC is the largest, most competitive rowing crew in the Rochester area. I like rowing with a team, it provides motivation and accountability and a coach who sets the standards. As a team you work together. We have to be in lock synchronization in order to be effective and powerful. It doesn’t come easy. I am still learning something new every week.”
Stoll says the environment that the Genesee River and Genesee Valley Park provides is considered one of the finest in the nation. “We have two rowing venues to choose from, the river and the canal, and they both have low boat traffic. Rowing south you experience the most beautiful sights with wildlife including deer, beaver, blue heron and turtles. This year we even have an eagle’s nest that we have been observing. The ever changing colors of the foliage all around are beautiful. We are out on the water from late March through October, and every day looks different.”
A rowing trip on the river going north travels into the City of Rochester and provides a look into city life and beautiful cityscapes.
For more information on the Genesee Rowing Club and their upcoming Head of the Genesee Regatta on October 8th and 9th, visit www.geneseerowingclub.com
