Exploring Landmark Site Status For Cobbs Hill Park
This page introduces UMNA's efforts to explore ideas to support the future of Cobbs Hill Park including a potential expansion of historic landmark status and a potential Cobbs Hill Park master plan.
Background
Over the years visitors to Cobbs Hill Park have witnessed a trend of incremental developments on Park grounds. Projects large and small have accumulated in the Park with little apparent consideration of the overall impact on the Park experience and on the Park itself. Each well intended project has had its benefits and justifications. The cumulative effects of these projects sparked a conversation among some neighbors to explore ideas in support of a long term vision for the Park.
Early in 2024 neighbors of Cobbs Hill Park became aware of applications for two pavilions proposed for construction in Cobbs Hill Park. One application required review and approval by the Preservation Board of Rochester and the other did not. Curiosity around this situation revealed a decision in the early 1970s that removed landmark site status for some of the Park. Subsequent research indicated the legal rationale for reducing the landmark boundaries in Cobbs Hill Park have since been revised and may now allow landmark site status for the entire Park, if desired. Please See The Backstory: Two Pavilions, Two Standards for more details.
Running in the background of the abovementioned pavilion applications, City property owners immediately east and northeast of the Cobbs Hill Park borderline initiated an effort to recognize their residential neighborhood in a federally recognized historic district to be known as the “Cobbs Hill Historic District”. The proposed “Cobbs Hill Historic District” application was designed to include a distinct section apart from the developed residential neighborhood covering all of Cobbs Hill Park. If the historic district application is eventually approved, it would recognize Cobbs Hill Park as historically important but without the imposition of any restrictions, rules or oversight. Said another way, any federally recognized historic district covering Cobbs Hill Park would bestow only honorific benefits. Federal recognition begs the question: If all of Cobbs Hill Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, should the Park be recognized as a landmark site at the local level?
Incidental exchanges around these topics led representatives of the ABC Streets Neighborhood Association, the Nunda Boulevard Neighborhood Association, and the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association to gather informally at Village Bakery in The Armory on Culver Road to chat about Cobbs Hill Park and share ideas about how to help support the Park. Some of those present happened to also be active in the Olmstead Parks Alliance. Megan Klem from the Landmark Society of Western NY was engaged as a resource but did not participate in the initial informal conversations. Later, some of these neighbors and a relevant array of City representatives shared ideas and perspectives. From the outset it was clear, broad public engagement around any ideas affecting the Park would be essential and warmly welcomed.
Not long after these events, the exploration expanded to include outreach to The Friends of Washington Grove. Neighbors immediately adjacent to Cobbs Hill Park in the Highland Heights Homeowners Association and members of the Cobbs Hill Village Tenants Association also expressed a strong desire to engage and collaborate. Efforts to expand outreach even further have since been undertaken.
Statement of intention
To explore landmark site status for all of Cobbs Hill Park in collaboration with and under the auspices of City government. If the exploration reveals expansion of landmark site status to all of Cobbs Hill Park is desirable, to collaborate in the development of an application.
Expression of values
Supporting public engagement throughout these explorations and during any formal processes is essential and warmly welcomed.
Supporting appreciation of Cobbs Hill Park's long history covering all time periods beginning with the geological formation of what is know known as Cobbs Hill Park, covering all aspects of the natural environment as well as certain worthy elements of the built environment and all interactions between humans and the area across the epochs up to the present moment.
Expanded public engagement through Interpretive programs, wayfinding & related components
Supporting passive Park experiences & the appreciation of natural beauty and wildlife
Expanding public engagement through Interpretive programs, wayfinding & related components
Supporting Park care and maintenance activities performed by City employees and performed by caring citizens in collaboration with City government
Respecting residents and property owners living adjacent to and in proximity to the Park
Supporting organized and casual physical activities including: running; walking; playing frisbee; fishing; hiking; basketball; tennis; softball; volleyball; yoga; tai-chi; photowalks; bird watching; working out on fitness equipment; kite-flying; biking; playing on the playground equipment, and other additional active recreational activities and programs that may be presented or take place in the Park from time to time.
Supporting smaller-scale private social gatherings (picnics, birthday parties, etc.) that take place on Park grounds as well as in Park lodges
Supporting larger-scale community-wide activities on Park grounds
Supporting and building on the racial, social, ethnic, economic, and cultural diversity present in the Park
Expanding accessibility to the Park and Park facilities
Some additional background and updates on this topic are located here: The Backstory: Two Pavilions, Two Standards and here: What About A Master Plan for Cobbs Hill Park?
UMNA adopted a goal a to explore ideas around supporting Cobbs Hill Park in the 2024 UMNA Work Plan
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