Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle has announced the proposed acquisition of Devil's Cove in Irondequoit Bay to make the 20th park in the Monroe County Park System and saving one of the county's most environmentally sensitive areas from ever being commercially or residentially developed. The name of the new park will be "Devil's Cove Park."

"The land will be used for the most passive recreation you could possibly have for a park, and the most spectacular and tranquil place for anyone to commune with nature," said Doyle. "When you visit this new park, you will be amazed that such a treasure is only minutes away from the City of Rochester."

Devil's Cove is a cove of woodlands and wetlands on the eastside of Irondequoit Bay. The park will provide open space, hiking and nature trails, and improved fishing access for residents. Ownership of the land will preserve valuable habitat for rare plant and bird species, and decrease erosion of the bay's steep and sandy embankments.

The land, encompassing 10.4 acres, will be purchased using $75,000 from the county's capital program, pending legislature approval this December. In addition, the county will consider purchasing other properties in the area, at fair market value, as they become available.

"It is our intention to limit the development of this land to low intensity recreational uses such as trails and fishing," said Doyle. "I can't think of a better gift to the taxpayers of Monroe County than this breathtaking habitat and it is equally a present to the birds, fish, plants, trees and animals that can now enjoy this part of Devil's Cove Park as home forever."

Devil's Cove is one of only five bay complexes among the 150 miles of Lake Ontario's southern shoreline. Irondequoit Bay, including the cove, is a Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat Area. The New York Natural Heritage Program has identified seven endangered plants, two rare or potentially threatened communities, two nesting birds, an oak opening and one insect on the bay.