Highland Park

Highland Park in Rochester, New York is a historic and botanically rich public space spanning 150 acres. Established in 1888, it was one of the first municipal arboretums in the United States. The park was designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who created a picturesque landscape that incorporated the existing city reservoir and offered scenic views of Rochester.

The park is particularly famous for its extensive lilac collection, which includes over 1,200 lilac shrubs of more than 500 varieties. This impressive display has made Highland Park the host of Rochester's annual Lilac Festival, a popular springtime event that draws visitors from across the region.

Beyond lilacs, Highland Park boasts a diverse array of plant life. It features a significant collection of Japanese maples, 35 varieties of magnolias, a pinetum with over 300 types of conifers, and 700 varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas, and andromeda. Many trees in the park are notable for being the tallest of their species in New York State.

The park's landscape is characterized by rolling hills, winding paths, and open meadows. It includes several notable features such as the Lamberton Conservatory, a greenhouse facility open year-round, and Warner Castle, a Gothic-style mansion that now houses the Rochester Civic Garden Center. The park also contains a natural amphitheater known as the Highland Bowl, which is used for outdoor performances and events.

Highland Park serves as both a recreational space and an educational resource. Its diverse plant collections provide opportunities for botanical study, while its paths and open areas offer space for walking, jogging, and picnicking. The park also includes several memorial gardens and monuments, including the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the AIDS Remembrance Garden.

Throughout the year, Highland Park's appearance transforms with the seasons, offering visitors a constantly changing landscape to explore and enjoy. From the vibrant colors of spring and summer to the golden hues of autumn and the serene beauty of winter, the park provides a year-round connection to nature within the urban environment of Rochester.