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Bridging Communities - A River Party

  • Maplewood Park Rose Garden 250 Maplewood Ave Rochester, NY, 14613 United States (map)

** Parking Update: the Hawkeye lot is NOT available. Please look for street parking on adjacent streets. Carthage Drive is a good place to try first (east side of River, off Saint Paul St.)

For general parking, please look for street parking in the following areas

  • Carthage Street (east side of river off Saint Paul)

  • Along Saint Paul (east side)

  • Along Lake Ave (west side)

  • Nearby neighborhood side streets in Edgerton and El Camino

We’re closing Driving Park Bridge and taking it over - along with Maplewood Park’s Rose Garden - to celebrate the Genesee River and Lower Falls at our new “Bridging Communities” - a River Party.

Activities include LIVE music, free food from J Ribs, facepainting, magicians, ROC City Circus, games, tours of Lower Falls to learn about its role in the Underground Railroad, local vendors, and interactive information tables from a variety of organizations.

Make sure you stop through our selfie booth from DigiBooths. And if you post on social media with the #RocYourNature hashtag you’ll get a chance to win a free t-shirt.

NY State Parks will also be on site gathering feedback about the proposed state park at High Falls.

Live Music Schedule:

12:15-12:30 Freddy Colon Latin Jazz Quartet

12:45-1: Red Rum

1:15-1:30: Foebee

1:45-2: Melly Bugatti

2:15-2:30: Ti-Lar Bee

People of all ages and abilities are very welcome. An ASL interpreter will be at the stage. If you need any support attending, please contact our Director of Communications and Inclusion Coordinator - Elliotte Bowerman. ebowerman@geneseelandtrust.org 585-450-3938


Getting There: We encourage people to walk, bike, or ride if possible. 1 St. Paul and 22 Lake Ave bus lines have stops on either side of the bridge.

If you need ADA parking, please contact Elliotte to discuss logistics. We’re holding limited accessible spaces in the YMCA lot. (Please remember you will not be able to drive across Driving Park Bridge.)


This new event is organized by the Genesee River Alliance, an initiative of Genesee Land Trust. Our thanks to the following partners and sponsors:

Partners: the 14621 Rising, Agape, City of Rochester, Foodlink, Greentopia, Lower Falls Foundation, Maplewood Neighborhood Association, Next Generation and You, and NY State Parks.

Sponsors: ESL Federal Credit Union, FIFCO/Genesee Brewing, Coca Cola, Canandaigua National Bank, DigiBooths/DigiGroup Entertainment



If you are a local vendor or organization interested in having a table at the event, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/NarY6H5fQCCpWUFM8

If you are interested in sponsoring Bridging Communities, please contact Helen Dumas, Director of Urban Engagement and event lead. hdumas@geneseelandtrust.org 585-450-3932


** Make sure you make it a point to stop through our selfie booth from DigiBooths. DigiBooths isn't just any photo booth company, they're a part of DigiGroup Entertainment family. A great source for anything entertainment no matter where your event is!


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