Parks

For a region pinned as gray (clouds) and white (snow), Rochester is remarkably green.  The ability to have a cultural urban experience and peaceful outdoor experience exist side by side in a way that would be difficult to replicate in a larger metropolitan area.  Here are some interesting facts about Rochester area parks:

• Monroe County, NY has over 12,000 acres of parkland. 
• The great landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted (think Central Park in New York City), designed four parks in the city of Rochester.  Highland Park is best known for its lilacs and associated Lilac Festival which lasts 10 days and draws over 500,000 visitors.  Seneca Park, located along the Genesee River, is best known for its zoo.  Maplewood Park, also located along the Genesee River, has a nationally accredited Rose Garden.  Finally, Genesee Valley Park serves as a magnet for sports enthusiasts.  Biking, kayaking, golf, cross-country skiing, baseball, soccer, kickball, and cricket are among the offerings.
• Letchworth State Park (pictured below), located 35 miles southwest of Rochester, provides an additional 14,350 acres of parkland with 66 miles of hiking trails.  Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East" due to a striking gorge formed by the Genesee River, Letchworth was recently recognized as the best state park in the country.
• As if having the best state park in the country isn't enough, Rochesterians willing to travel about 90 minutes have access to Watkins Glen State Park, the third best state park in the country.