An Upstate NY urban waterfall to be centerpiece of a brand new state park (2024)

A 96-foot cascade will be the star of the latest New York state park to be built.

Rochester’s High Falls will be developed into High Falls State Park, first announced in 2022 by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The most recent rendering of the proposed High Falls State Park shows a waterfall view looking south at the base of the Genesee River gorge. This river-level vista has not been open to the public in more than 100 years.

In total, the urban park is planned to span 40 acres starting at the falls and traveling down the river. There could be a restored meadow and public access to the river which also hasn’t happened in a century.

Now organizers want the public’s input on the design.

According to NPR News the Executive Director of Genessee Land Trust Lorna Wright, said public input will be crucial in building the new High Falls park.

The Genessee Land Trust is partnering with the Community Design Center Rochester will be holding a public input session from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 4. High Falls residents, landlords, business owners, people who work in High Falls and anyone interested in preserving the quality of life in Rochester are invited to the Monroe Community College Downtown Campus to participate.

This event will allow the public to give immediate feedback to the designers of the new park.

High Falls is just one of three waterfalls along the Genesee River. Nestled into the the High Falls District, there are plenty of places to eat and things to do in the area.

The Genesee Riverway Trail is an off-road way to walk, run, or bike to follow the river and see Rochester’s scenic gorge, three waterfalls, and eleven parks. Take this trail to the Pont de Rennes bridge where you’ll get the best view of the falls.