High Falls State Park is situated in the heart of downtown Rochester, NY, encompassing the iconic 80-foot waterfall on the Genesee River. The park is primarily located within the gorge, which can be best viewed from the recently opened Pont de Rennes Bridge, Smith Street Bridge, and High Falls Terrace Park.
The park will span approximately 40 acres, offering green spaces, walking trails, scenic overlooks, and recreational areas. Its boundaries extend from the Inner Loop Bridge in the south to the Running Track Bridge in the north.
NY State Parks will operate the park, likely in collaboration with various community partners and organizations. It will be open from dawn to dusk.
The next phase of technical/schematic design will further refine the details of the park, and from there it is anticipated the park will be constructed in phases beginning in 2026, starting from the south at High Falls and extending north toward the Running Track Bridge, with the entire project anticipated to finish around 2032. The cleanup of parcels by the current property owners is essential for completing the northern section of the park area.
The park’s development will bring direct and indirect economic benefits and create jobs in construction, landscaping, security, and park management. It is also expected to attract regional visitors, boosting local development and the economy.
Safety is a top priority, ensuring that visitors have a welcoming and enjoyable experience. We are currently planning for the presence of NY State Parks Police and security personnel on-site, and we will also coordinate with the local Rochester Police and Fire Departments. The safety features being designed are expected to include well-lit pathways, fencing in key areas, wayfinding signage, and emergency call stations throughout the park.
Nearby parking will be available for visitors, along with encouraged options for bicycle parking and public transit access. We are exploring various transportation plans to accommodate different modes of travel, especially for larger events in the park.
Entry to the park will be free. Certain amenities or special events may have associated costs.
NY State Parks is committed to meeting the public’s needs by continually updating its park programming and events. Specific programs will be designed as part of the park’s development and in collaboration with community partners.
We will address accessibility by exceeding ADA requirements and implementing universal design principles, guided by an experienced design consulting team and park personnel, to maximize access to the park for individuals of all abilities.
High Falls stands about 80 feet tall. Before the Mt. Morris Dam was built in 1952, the Genesee River often flooded downtown Rochester. An earlier effort to increase flood capacity involved blasting and dredging the riverbed, which reduced High Falls’ height from 96 feet to its current level.
Detailed construction and operating estimates will be determined when the technical schematic design work is completed, which is scheduled for spring 2026.
The new park will be funded primarily by New York State, with potential of additional local, federal and private funds for various park components. To date, New York State has committed $8 million in design funding from Empire State Development, as part of ROC The Riverway Phase 2. In total ROC The Riverway has committed over $100 million in NYS funding for dozens of projects, several of which have been completed, including the Brewery Line Trail extension and Pont de Rennes Bridge renovation within the High Falls area.
A Framework Plan serves as a “big-picture” roadmap for the future of the park. Its purpose is to establish a clear vision, set priorities, and guide decision-making. This plan ensures that all planning efforts and development are coordinated and aligned with the overall vision. This plan builds off the initial concept plan released in 2022.
The future home of High Falls State Park consists of a mix of properties, primarily owned by the City of Rochester, Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E), Bausch + Lomb, and Genesee Brewery. Environmental cleanup is currently in the planning stages for approximately the northern half of the park site. RG&E has recently completed cleanup efforts at the former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) site along the Genesee River, located between the former incinerator, where the smokestack still stands today, and the recently renovated Pont De Rennes bridge.
The team at High Falls State Park, led by State Parks and OLIN, has successfully completed the 2025 Framework Plan. They are now moving into more detailed technical/schematic design phases to prepare for the State Environmental Quality Reviews, and later, site permitting. At the same time, Empire State Development and State Parks will start negotiations with the current property owners to secure site control as the parcels are cleaned by those owners.