City of Rochester News Release - Mayor Warren Kicks off River Romance, Announces Progress on High Falls EcoDistrict

City of Rochester

News Release

(Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren kicked off the 2017 River Romance Weekend and announced Greentopia’s progress on the development of New York State’s first Eco-District at High Falls. The EcoDistrict is a community based project that seeks to make the neighborhoods surrounding High Falls more vibrant through a commitment to environmental sustainability.

“River Romance Weekend offers an excellent opportunity to get outside and rediscover the beauty and history of the Genesee River,” said Mayor Warren. “River Romance is focused on the amazing resource that we have in the Genesee River and the importance that we should place on stewarding and reviving that resource. Initiatives like the EcoDistrict acknowledge and celebrate the cultural and environmental importance of the Genesee River and the role it can play in the transformation of our city’s economy.”

The High Falls EcoDistrict is a component of the City’s Climate Action Plan. Initiatives associated with the EcoDistrict include: installing solar panels on local buildings and homes, creating green roofs and rain gardens to process storm water and incorporating educational signage throughout the EcoDistrict to raise environmental awareness among the general public.

Greentopia has recently completed an EcoDistrict Plan and is now pursuing official certification from the national EcoDistrict organization.

Genesee River Romance features more than 30 autumn activities beginning Friday, Oct. 6 and running through Sunday, Oct. 8. The event series has been a tradition in Rochester for more than 25 years and is produced by the City of Rochester with the help of many community partners. Events include tours of historic sites along the river gorge, guided walks, and bike rides, river cruises, kayaking excursions and the renewal of marriage vows on the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge.

Visit www.cityofrochester.gov/riverromance to view a full schedule of events.

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News Media: For City information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135. For EcoDistrict information, contact Greentopia at 287-5560.