Flower City Feeling Good Series

TUESDAY NIGHT BIKE RIDES

Tuesdays, May 1, 2018 through August 28, 2018

All rides start promptly at 6:00p.m., please arrive by 5:45 p.m. for ride safety tips.

Helmets are REQUIRED for all participants. 

For more information, please email Stephanie Benway at: stephanie.benway@cityofrochester.gov.

Explore the city’s natural and built environments – rides highlight neighborhoods, city landmarks, natural wonders and the rich history of our great city. Cancellations due to weather will be made at start time on the site of the ride.

High Falls Neighborhood: June 4. Meet at the Pont de Rennes Bridge, at the Centers at High Falls. Ride through the High Falls area.  A 10 mile ride on flat terrain, city roads and paved trail.

Genesee Valley Park Neighborhood: June 11. Meet at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Avenue. Bike on the Erie Canal, Genesee Riverway.  A 12.5 mile ride on flat terrain, paved and unpaved trails.

South Wedge Neighborhood: June 18. Meet at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Avenue. Bike on the Genesee Riverway Trial through the South Wedge. An 11 mile ride on paved trail and City roads.

Durand Eastman and Seabreeze: June 25. Meet at the Summerville Genesee River parking lot at the end of St. Paul Blvd. Ride through Durand Eastman Park and the Seabreeze Neighborhood. A 10.5 mile ride which includes paved roads.

Seneca and Turning Point Parks: July 2. Meet at Seneca Park Zoo parking lot. Cross over to the west side of the Genesee River to ride north to the Port of Rochester. A 12 mile ride on a paved trail with a few moderate hills.

University Ave. Neighborhood of the Arts: July 16. Begin at the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union Street. Ride along University Ave. A 10 mile ride on flat terrain, city roads.

Charlotte Neighborhood and Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail: July 23. Meet at the Abbott’s Charlotte parking lot by Estes Street. Ride along Edgemere Drive and walk along the Lake Ontario beach front. A 13.6 mile ride on paved trails and roads.

Erie Canal to Pittsford: July 30. Meet at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Ave. Bike on the Genesee Riverway Trial and explore the Corn Hill neighborhood. A 10 mile ride on paved trail and City roads.

Park Avenue Neighborhood: August 6. Meet at the University Avenue Business Center, 1044 University Avenue. Ride along East Ave and Brighton Cobbs Hill Neighborhood. A 10 mile ride on City roads

Corn Hill Neighborhood: August 13. Meet at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Avenue. Bike on the Genesee Riverway Trial and explore the Corn Hill neighborhood. A 10 mile ride on paved trail and City roads.

Maplewood Neighborhood: August 20. Meet at the Rose Garden parking lot, Lake Ave. & Driving Park Avenue. Ride on the Genesee Riverway Trail through Seneca Park. A 9 mile ride on a paved trail and City roads with a few moderate hills.

Erie Canal Genesee Valley Park to Brighton Town Park: August 27. Meet at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot 131 Elmwood Avenue. Bike on the Genesee Riverway Trail and the Erie Canal Trail east to Brighton Town Park. A 8.5 mile ride on paved trails.

THURSDAY NIGHT HISTORY & NATURE WALKS

Thursdays, June 6 through August 22, 2019

Thursday Evening Walks will highlight the historical and natural wonders of the City of Rochester.  Walks last approximately 90 minutes.  Wear comfortable footwear. 

Neighborhood of the Arts. June 6, 6 p.m. Meet outside Starry Nites coffee shop at 696 University Avenue. The thriving Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA), whose tag line is ‘Home is Where the Art Is,’ has transformed into a vibrant neighborhood over the past decade.  Take a walk with the Neighborhood of the Arts Association’s Evan Lowenstein and be immersed in the past, present and future of this energetic and eclectic area of the City.

Downtown Rochester. June 13, 6 p.m. Meet at Midtown Commons, corner of Elm and Cortland. From the redevelopment of Midtown to the Inner Loop Transformation, Downtown Rochester has seen a lot of changes in the past decade. The coming years will bring even more. Take a stroll with City of Rochester Senior Planner/Urban Design Specialist Jason Haremza to see some of these recent changes, learn more about the city’s vision for “lively streets”, and experience the renewed energy downtown.

Corn Hill. June 20, 6 p.m. Where did our city’s founder Nathaniel Rochester live? Who put the statue of Mercury into our skyline? Where did a couple of teenage girls once talk to the dead? Where did Frederick Douglass first publish his historic newspaper, The North Star? It all happened in the Third Ward, now known as Corn Hill. Join historian Jim DeVinney to hear about some of our city’s most colorful and historic people, places and events. Tour begins by the Water Spirits sculpture at Corn Hill Landing where South Plymouth Avenue joins Exchange Street. Bring water and wear good walking shoes. 

Washington Grove. June 27, 6:00 p.m. Join members of the Friends of Washington Grove to walk through the canopy of 250-year-old Oak trees and find out about Washington Grove’s natural and cultural history, its many changes and what the future may hold. Meet at the kiosk atop Cobbs Hill Reservoir in the open field behind the pine grove (take the reservoir road off of Highland Ave.).

Highland Park. July 11, 6 p.m. Meet outside of the Lamberton Conservatory. Join Monroe County Horticulturist Susan Maney for a tour of Highland Park - the first Olmsted designed park in Rochester.  The tour will highlight the unique and historic trees that make the park such a horticultural gem.  Parking available along Reservoir Avenue. 

Downtown Heritage Trail. July 18, 6 p.m. Explore Rochester’s past through its buildings and landmarks. Join Deputy City Historian, Michelle Finn, for a walking tour of the Downtown Heritage Trail. The tour will begin and end on the north side of the Rundel Memorial Building, at the corner of Broad Street and South Avenue. This outdoor path is approximately one mile round-trip and will take about an hour to complete. Please dress comfortably.

El Camino Trail. July 25, 6:00 p.m.  Meet at Conkey Corner Park- at the corner of Conkey and Clifford Avenue. Join the Genesee Land Trust on a walk of El Camino, a 2.2 mile urban, multi-use trail .The Thomas R. Frey Trail at El Camino, a rails to trail project opened in 2012, is most notably known for its unique murals and trail markers that reflect the cultural history of the area. Learn more at: www.myelcamino.org

Washington Grove. August 1, 6:00 p.m. Join members of the Friends of Washington Grove to walk through the canopy of 250-year-old Oak trees and find out about Washington Grove’s natural and cultural history, its many changes and what the future may hold. Meet at the kiosk atop Cobbs Hill Reservoir in the open field behind the pine grove (take the reservoir road off of Highland Ave.).

Lower Falls Gorge. August 8, 6:00 p.m. Meet at the Maplewood Rose Garden parking lot at the corner of Lake and Driving Park. Join Gorge Guides on a tour of both the upper and lower falls, and learn about the history of the forgotten sites of Carthage and McCrackenville.     

Seneca Park. August 15, 6 p.m. Meet at the Wegmans Lodge parking lot along the park road in Seneca Park.  Join retired City of Rochester Senior Landscape Architect and Olmsted Parks Alliance Chairwoman JoAnn Beck on a tour of the Olmsted designed Seneca Park. Explore this unique 297 acre park designed by the ‘father of landscape architecture’ Frederick Law Olmsted- and enjoy woodland trails, wildlife along Trout Lake, and scenic views of the Genesee River Gorge. 

Washington Grove. August 22, 6 p.m. Join members of the Friends of Washington Grove to walk through the canopy of 250-year-old Oak trees and find out about Washington Grove’s natural and cultural history, its many changes and what the future may hold. Meet at the kiosk atop Cobbs Hill Reservoir in the open field behind the pine grove (take the reservoir road off of Highland Ave.).

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ZUMBA IN THE PARKS

The City of Rochester boasts an array of beautiful parks and green spaces.  This summer, the City of Rochester has partnered with the Maplewood Family YMCA to offer family friendly Zumba classes in the beautiful Maplewood Rose Garden.  All classes are FREE and open to all abilities.  Exercise sessions start at 6 p.m.

Zumba @ Maplewood Rose Garden. Meet in the Rose Garden parking lot at Lake Avenue and Driving Park Avenue.

•  July 10^th
• July 31^st  
• August 21^st

Zumba @ Cobbs Hill Park. Meet at the Lake Riley Lodge Parking lot off of Norris Drive.

July 17^th 

August 7th

Zumba @ Genesee Valley Park. Meet at the GVP Sports Complex (near the swimming pool).

• July 24^th  
• August 14^th  

Saturdays on the Water Guided Paddles

Join us for an enjoyable and educational row along the Genesee River! Trips will leave from Seth Green Park and will end at the Port of Rochester- total trip will last approximately two hours. Paddle trip is $20.00 per adult; $10.00 for youth under 18. Canoes will be provided by the Genesee Waterways Center.  Maximum two adults per canoe.  All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  To register, visit the Genesee Waterways Center (GWC) website at www.geneseewaterways.org/events.

• Introduction to Canoeing/Kayaking: Meet at Corn Hill Landing for a FREE paddling lesson. Saturday, June 15^th (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)
• Paddle on the Erie Canal: Meet at the Lock 32 parking lot and drop off at the Genesee Waterways Center. Saturday, July 13^th (9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
• Paddle on the Genesee from Seth Green: Meet at Petten St. parking lot and drop off at Seth Green Island. Saturday, August 17^th (9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
• Paddle on the Erie Canal: Meet at Lock 32 parking lot and drop off at Genesee Waterways Center. Saturday, September 21^st (9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
• Paddle on the Genesee from Seth Green: Meet at Petten St. and drop off at Seth Green Island. Saturday, October 5^th (9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)