Seneca Park (Rochester)

Seneca Park, Job #1108, Rochester, NY

Olmsted Archives

Quick Facts

Location:

Rochester, NY

Significance:

Olmsted Designed Park

MANAGED BY:

City of Rochester

At the northernmost section of Rochester New York’s Park System, the 297-acre Seneca Park sits, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893. The three-mile park is on both sides of the Genesee River, with the intention to provide public access to the river while also preserving the area from development. The original plan for Seneca Park called for tree-lined carriage drives and a network of paths that would minimize disturbances caused from grading.

To prevent erosion and reduce the risk of falling debris, Olmsted included dense plantings along the edge of the gorge. Taking nearly ten years to complete, Seneca Park was designed with picturesque elements. In addition to Olmsted Sr. working on the park, John Charles Olmsted oversaw development from 1901 to 1915.

Source: "Seneca Park-NY," The Cultural Landscape Foundation

For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Olmsted Online