Genesee Valley Park

Designed in 1889 by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Olmsted Firm was involved in the planning of Genesee Valley Park until 1915, when the Park Commission was dissolved. (See job 01100) A prime example of Olmsted’s signature “pastoral style”, the landscape runs along the Genesee River and was originally called ‘South Park’. Naturally divided into two sections by the river’s course, Olmsted strategically placed the structures and recreation grounds on the east side of the river, leaving the rolling hills of the west side open and uninterrupted. Pedestrian bridges were included to connect the two sides. Plans from 1889 show designs of the meadow park, deer park, picnic park, and ball ground. In 1908 when Genesee Valley Park was in the path of the Erie Canal reroute, John C. Olmsted consulted with Park Commissioners with the aim of “reducing the net damage to the park”. [John C Olmsted to Board of Park Comissioners_1908-09-04_LOC-OAR-B_01102-im.15]