Ontario Beach Park opened in 1884. A century ago, this area was an amusement park known as the “Coney Island of the West”. Today, it features one of the best natural sand beaches along the Great Lakes. The boat harbor at the Port of Rochester opened in 2016. Some of the dirt from this giant hole was used to fill in the inner loop in downtown Rochester. Remnants of a blast furnace, which operated from 1868 until 1927, were found when the boat harbor was dug 90 years later.
Tap these links for a map of Ontario Beach Park, or detailed history of the park.
Download the free Tour Blend app, or tap the photo below for a free audio-narrated tour which takes you around Ontario Beach Park and along the Genesee River in the Charlotte neighborhood of Rochester.
Ontario Beach Park and the Port of Rochester are located at the northern end of the Genesee Riverway Trail, a scenic multi-use trail which runs through Rochester from Lake Ontario to the Erie Canal. It is a designated National Recreational Trail, and connects to both the statewide Erie Canal Heritage Trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail, which continues south along the Genesee River.
There are many parks and historic districts along the Genesee Riverway Trail.
This website was created by the Genesee River Alliance. Be the first to learn about events and activities along the river by signing up for the Genesee River Alliance Enews.
Genesee Riverway Trail 