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| Zoo Falls & Zoo Cascade |
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Location -
Seneca Park,
Rochester, Monroe County Maps - Google Map (Zoo Falls) (Zoo Cascade), Google Earth, Multi GPS - Zoo Falls: (N43.21416 / W 77.61849) Zoo Cascade: (N 43.21358 / W 77.61954) Directions - From the West: Follow Ridgeway Ave east to the St. Paul exit. Turn right onto St. Paul St. Proceed on St Paul until you reach the park entrance on your left. Follow the park road through the park past the zoo into the lower park. Drive around Trout Pond and park in available lot. From the East: Take 104 west to the Clinton Ave N Exit. Go south and turn right on Norton Street. Take Norton St to St Paul St and make a right. Proceed on St Paul until you reach the park entrance on your left. Follow the park road through the park past the zoo into the lower park. Drive around Trout Pond and park in available lot. |
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Information Number of falls: 2 Size/Types: Zoo Cascade is a winding, narrow and dirty cascade hardly worth the trip, but is on the way to Zoo Falls, which is larger and more defined. Both falls total over 90' high as they fall the complete length of the gorge wall, but the upper sections are often ignored. Most classify them as around 30' tall. Best time to visit: Year round. Zoo Cascade is best in spring or after heavy rain. Flow: Generally low. Can be better in high rain, but the rising water in the river will make viewing them from the base very difficult. Waterway: Unnamed tributaries into the Genesee River. Time: 15 minutes |
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| Accessibility Seasons/Hours: Open year-round. April 1 until October 31 the park is open from 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM. November 1 until March 31 the park is open from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM. The Lower park closes at sunset October 15 through May 15 . Parking: Park in the many available lots surrounding Trout Pond. Admission: Free. Handicap accessibility: Possible, on trail. Pets: Allowed (on leash). Accommodations: picnic tables, grills, cabins, restrooms. |
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Description
Lining the north-eastern shore of the Genesee River, Seneca Park offers visitors spectacular views of the river gorge. Along the way, you'll see two tall, slender cascades that empty into the Genesee. Although less than spectacular, the setting more than makes up for the lackluster falls. |
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| Trails
Difficulty: Easy Markings: None. Map: Park Map From Trout Pond head north towards the gorge and the Wegmans Lodge and take the North Olmsted trail. The second boardwalk you will cross is Zoo Cascade. Shortly afterward, take a left and take the steps to the base of the falls. The area below the falls is very muddy, but you can get a good view from the wooden boardwalk that extends out into the Genesee River. Climb the stairs back to that North Olmstead Trail and continue on. The next boardwalk crosses the crest of a large drop of Zoo Cascade. Shortly afterward take a left the review down to the river and continue along the riverbank to the base of the falls. Access to the bottoms of these falls may be limited due to the water levels of the Genesee River. |
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| History Seneca Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and the trail you walk was designed to be the "wilderness" portion of the park. By leaving most of the wooded area intact and minimizing landscaping, this section of the park retains the rugged, natural characteristics of terrain. A trademark Olmsted feature for wilderness park sections are small sections along the trail that contain park benches or picnic tables for people to stop and enjoy the view. Trout Lake, the centerpiece of the lower park, formed by damming a natural spring, was a very popular tourist destination. Tourists would rent swan boats and petal around the lake in the early 1900's. Today it is primarily a location where visitors feed the resident ducks and geese. |
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Do not miss... Although small, the Seneca Park Zoo is well designed, and is worth a quick stop. Rock Slides. This unique shape of the gorge wall was shaped by rock slides. A massive rock slide, thousands of years ago, must have reduced the slope and allowed for native Americans to access the riverbank. Smaller collapses and rock slides happen today during periods of high rainfall Fishing. The many river river access points along the North Olmsted trail great locations for fishing. |
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| Photography Tips ▪ A wide-angle lens is recommended. ▪ Plan on shooting this falls during overcast skies, and after short periods of rain. After heavy rain it may be difficult to reach the riverbed. ▪ The riverbed is muddy. If shooting from that location, dress appropriately. ▪ Only the lower half of Zoo Falls is recommended for shooting. ▪ ▪ See the Articles section for more waterfall photography tips. |
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| Area Attractions This trail is part of Seneca Park which also contains the Seneca Park Zoo. Other Waterfalls Rochester High Falls, Rochester, NY Rochester Lower Falls, Rochester, NY Norton's Falls, Seneca Park, Rochester, NY Turning Point Falls, Rochester, NY Densmore Falls, Irondequoit, NY Corbett's Glen, Brighton, NY Sgoh-sa-is-thah Falls, Penfield, NY Bed & Breakfast Clematis Inn - Rochester, NY Dartmouth House - Rochester, NY The Edward Harris House - Rochester, NY 428 Mt. Vernon - Rochester, NY Museums The Strong Museum of Play - Rochester, NY Memorial Art Gallery - Rochester, NY George Eastman House - Rochester, NY Rochester Museum & Science Ctr. - Rochester, NY Susan B. Anthony House - Rochester, NY Genesee Country Village & Museum - Mumford, NY Restaurants/Cafes The Triphammer Grill - Rochester, NY (high falls) Cheyenne Supper Club - Rochester, NY (high falls) Jimmy Mac's - Rochester, NY (high falls) Spin Caffé - Rochester, NY (high falls) Tiki Bob's Cantina - Rochester, NY (high falls) Entertainment GEVA Theatre - Rochester, NY Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra - Rochester, NY Seabreeze Amusement Park - Rochester, NY Shops The Creator’s Hands - Rochester, NY (high falls) Parkleigh - Rochester, NY Stever's Candies - Rochester, NY Parkleigh - Rochester, NY |
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| Weather |
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| Links Vintage Views of Seneca Park Old Postcards of Seneca Park Rochester landmark society's page on Frederick Law Olmsted |
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| Contact Monroe County Parks Department 171 Reservoir Avenue Rochester, New York 14620 Telephone: (585) 256-4950 Fax: (585) 753-7284 Website |
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Join in on the message board for Zoo Falls: |
