Genesee Valley Greenway
Opened to the public in 1992, the Genesee Valley Greenway is a scenic walking trail that follows the historic route of the Genesee Valley Canal and Pennsylvania Railroad, Rochester Branch. When completed the trail will be over 90 miles in length, extending in the north-south direction from Genesee Valley State Park in Rochester to Hinsdale in Cattaraugus County. That means the trail will extend through five counties- Monroe, Livingston, Wyoming, Allegany, and Cattaraugus!
Over 60 miles of the trail is open to the public today, including most of the nearly 40 miles running through Livingston County. The Genesee Valley Greenway was made so the public may enjoy many outdoors activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding and even snowmobiling and skiing in the winter.
In Livingston County the Greenway highlights some of the county’s historical and natural sites, such as old Genesee Valley Canal locks, the town of Piffard’s Yard of Ale Canal House Inn, Mount Morris Veterans Park, and Letchworth State Park.
For more information on the Genesee Valley Greenway see:
Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway
New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, “Genesee Valley Greenway”
What is a ‘greenway’?
"Charles Little, author of “Greenways for America”, calls a greenway 'linear open space along a natural corridor (river; stream valley; ridge line) or along a converted railroad bed, canal, scenic road, or other route.'
According to the National Park Service, greenway corridors are recognized for environmental protection, recreation values, and aesthetic appearances. They also have the potential to create jobs, enhance property values, expand and attract local businesses, increase tax revenues, decrease local government expenditures, and promote community.”
— Courtesy of the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway
