First steps for High Falls State Park may be seen in 2026

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Wednesday, an open house for the public to weigh in on the plans and review the progress of High Falls State Park.

Mayor Evans said when the park is finished, it will be a "new centerpiece of downtown Rochester."

OLIN, a landscape architect firm, is the lead consultant for the project alongside Empire State Development. The design team was introduced at Wednesday's meeting and emphasized the project's significance in connecting people to urban nature.

Consultant selected; public input sought on High Falls State Park design

The team includes experts in architecture, ecology, and engineering with local consultants from Rochester.

"We're making tremendous strides towards revitalizing our waterfront and creating a unique destination that strengthens our regions and, more importantly, fuels our economic growth," City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said.

"Making a place that's safe, accessible and fun, improving connections and really trying to spur equitable development beyond," OLIN Landscape Architect and Planner Partner Michael Miller said. "It's about the park, it's about the community."

Developers for High Falls State Park said they have some idea of what the park could be but because of how unique and special the site is, their work is only just beginning.

"This park is really an engine of environmental justice, and we're thinking about both an inclusive process and inclusive design, programming, creating different amenities, different things to do that make sense in the site and that work for the people," Miller said.

The people weighing in. Developers said their comments are crucial to ideas for the park's design.

"It's going to give us a real deep sense of pride, because this is something that the people themselves have had some input in, and that we're starting to shape what that's going to look like, so that we can enjoy it and our future generations can enjoy it as well," Gladys Pedraza-Burgos said.

Officials laid out the timeline.

"We're looking at roughly eight years first, to develop what we call a framework plan that is going to guide development of the park," Miller said. "We're really hoping that there are some early pieces of this that could come online as early as 2026 if everything goes right."

Developers said there will be more opportunities for public comment. For now, Wednesday's comments will be considered and help evolve the project and the park's design.

For more about High Falls Park which is part of the overall Roc the Riverway initiative, click here .