High Falls State Park
Rochester's Genesee River Gorge
Azar Design Co, in collaboration with New York State Parks and Empire State Development, is contributing to the design of Rochester’s new High Falls State Park as part of the subconsultant team led by OLIN Studio. This 40-acre park will showcase the dramatic beauty of High Falls while seamlessly integrating with the historic fabric of downtown Rochester.
The reimagined urban green space will offer recreational amenities while reconnecting the community with the area’s rich geological and industrial heritage. Design concepts provide long-awaited public access to portions of the Genesee River gorge and the breathtaking High Falls—areas previously restricted due to industrial development.
Beyond its environmental and cultural significance, the park will support ecological restoration and drive economic growth, playing a key role in revitalizing the Genesee River corridor. Azar’s scope includes site/civil engineering, surveying, environmental permitting, and landscape architecture support, shaping both the physical and experiential aspects of the park.
Azar’s engineers are providing comprehensive site/civil engineering and supporting the landscape architecture design, including design of stormwater management and green infrastructure, grading and drainage, site utilities, and roadway, parking, and transportation design. The team is working to seamlessly integrate the site engineering with the landscape design and vision for the transformative park. Site structural design and essential civil engineering elements will enhance the park’s functionality, sustainability, and long-term resilience.
Azar’s environmental scientists are providing permitting coordination.
Survey crews are establishing survey control, conducting aerial LiDAR mapping, and preparing a utilities plan based on existing records.
Renderings by OLIN, courtesy of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Renderings by OLIN, courtesy of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation