Maplewood Park and Rose Garden

Maplewood Drive at Seneca Parkway 14613 

Map of Maplewood Park

Features and Amenities

• A nationally accredited Rose Garden, a popular spot for wedding ceremonies and photographs
• Scenic views of 2 waterfalls in the Genesee River Gorge
• The Genesee Riverway Trail, a National Recreation Trail, winds through the park
• A pond for fishing
• Tennis courts
• Lower Falls Overlook Park: take a walk across Driving Park Ave where a gated road will lead you down a hill to one of the most scenic spots to view Middle and Lower Falls. "The Seat of Remembering and Forgetting" is a sculpture that depicts the faces and hands of the community's youth.
• Middle Maplewood, located in the Seneca Parkway area, features tennis courts, open play space and beautiful views of the river along the Riverway Trail.
• Upper Maplewood, north of Route 104 off Maplewood Ave, features a relaxing picnic area and playground.

History

Located in the northwest quadrant of the city, Maplewood Park is one of two original parks laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted to highlight the Genesee River.

Breathtaking scenic views make this park a must-see spot in Rochester. The diverse park stretches alongside two miles of Lake Avenue. Over the years, the spirit of involvement by the Maplewood Community Association has enhanced the beauty and enjoyment of the park. 

On June 15, 1958 the Stecher Memorial Fountain honoring the late Frank A. Stecher was dedicated in Maplewood Park at 2:30 p.m. during the Rose Garden ceremonies. The fountain, made of Etowah pink Georgia marble, was presented to the city by Mrs. George C. Schlegel of 1132 East Ave., daughter of Mr. Stecher, founder of the Stecher Lithograph Company. Mayor Peter Barry accepted the $2,000 structure on behalf of the city.

The marble used in the fountain came from one of the first marble quarries of North Georgia. Etowah is a Cherokee Indian word meaning "red sunset". The choice of marble was thus quite appropriate, relating both the theme of roses and the fact that the Maplewood Park area was an important Indian site.

Mr. Stecher, a native of Germany, came to Rochester in 1870, and was the first American to organize a lithograph company in Japan. He was the first lithographer to use a two-color offset press. Stecher was thus an early pioneer of imaging technology, a Rochester tradition. Mr. Stecher was a director of several banks and a director of the Rochester Dental Dispensary. In 1906 he organized the National Association of Employing Lithographers, and was its president for three terms. He died in 1916.       

Rose Garden

Located off Driving Park Ave., the Rose Garden features more than 3,000 rose bushes that include everything from the antique "Malmaison" to the recently-created hybrid "Princess Diana." The roses fill infuse an acre of land with their fragrant scent and bold colors from early June until nearly Thanksgiving. Outside the rose season, the garden features bulbs, peonies, perennials, and evergreens.

Each June during the peak bloom time, The Rose Festival celebrates both the neighborhood and the park with a parade, music, gorge tours, garden tours, children's activities, arts & crafts, and tours of historic homes around the area. The rose garden staff also regularly hold rose-care workshops.In October, the garden plays host to River Romance. Take this chance to see the river gorge in full autumnal leaf color and venture on a guided history walk.

Weddings and Other Ceremonies in the Rose Garden

The Maplewood Rose Garden has become a local favorite for those choosing an outdoor wedding service and for those seeking a beautiful location for pictures.

A City Facility Use Permit is required for weddings and pictures. All fees are for 2 hours of use.

See the different locations available for ceremonies in the park below.