Today was perhaps the most perfect late summer vibe and feel of 2024. 75 degrees with a moderate breeze, sunny with occasional clouds and low humidity. When you live in one of the snowiest cities in the country, days like this are the ones you dream about when you’re wading through a foot of snow in January.
This afternoon I traveled the short distance to downtown Rochester to experience the city’s newest “park,” Austin Steward Plaza. Formally Charles Carroll Plaza, the updated design replaced public space that was neglected, unused, and virtually non-functional.
The new $20 million design on the West side of the Genesee River pays homage to the gentile flow of Rochester’s downtown waterway, while accomplishing Roc The Riverway’s goal of reconnecting citizens to the river itself. Like many Rust Belt cities, the Genesee River was utilized for practical, industrial needs. Since those needs have changed over time, new efforts aim to embrace the city’s industrial past while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the downtown waterway with a new perspective.
I had visited this space several times before, but today I set aside the time to walk the entirety of the ambitious project and adopt a feel for how it fit into the evolving fabric of our downtown. The best way I could describe this space is a skate park for everyone. The ribbons of concrete paths over the three-tiered park made me feel like this was a space of transition rather than a space of station.
Roc The Riverway’s mission, in part, is to create spaces that reconnect residents and visitors to the historic Genesee River. Part of this goal is creating a walkable and bike friendly trail system through downtown that connects the already existing trail network north and south the city.
This is an important distinction to make, as the plaza plays less like a park and more like a compliment to Rochester’s evolving bike and pedestrian connectivity. The space is less of a spot where you might stop and have a picnic, and more of an attractive compliment to a conduit corridor.
I walked the space for an hour, wishing very much I had brought a longboard to cruise the flowing paths. It was quiet… nothing but the hum of nearby air handling units servicing downtown buildings. Very few people were utilizing the space, but the occasional walker or biker moved through the plaza, seemingly oblivious to the magnitude of the public space.
The level nearest the river gave beautiful views of the Genesee, while providing creative spaces to sit and rest.
The trail continued to the “middle” path, accessible by stairs or by the pathway itself. It should be noted that the “switchback” style of the concrete paths make the entire park accessible for all. Picnic tables with cover (the only refuge from the sun in the park until the trees grow bigger), and an amphitheater style space highlight this second level. Indeed, this space also BEGS to be programmed for future festivals, markets, presentations, rallies and other gatherings.
The “middle” section also features grasses, random stone sitting spots and metal sculptures that look like fun for kids.
Finally, the “upper” section features more of the same accoutrements.
The plaza connects to the Sister Cities Bridge which crosses the Genesee and connects the space to St. Paul Street in the heart of downtown.
I had taken dozens of photos and walked the space to get a better sense of what it meant to be in it. I was literally on my way out of the plaza when a group of people entered. Three of them were young boys on scooters who immediately saw the rolling potential that the pathways invited.
Here’s what Austin Steward Plaza is:
- It is a solid upgrade from the previous public space, and is an attractive compliment to Rochester’s riverfront.
- It is a tremendous transition space that will eventually be a key component in being able to traverse downtown on bike or on foot without having to be on-road.
- It is a space the welcomes programming, providing a unique, multi-tiered experience for future festivals, markets, and performances.
- It is a fun space for kids and adults to scooter or skateboard. I’m not even certain if these are technically allowed in the space, but the smooth concrete and gentle switchbacks encourage these activities.
- It has the potential to be a great park when trees grow to full size.
Here is where the plaza is not:
- It is not a place for a picnic on a day over 80 degrees, at least until the trees grow. There is virtually no cover from the elements, and even on a mild summer day, the sun simply never lets up. This may change over time when the planted trees grow to full size.
- It is not a particularly interactive space, save the fun of rolling through the flowing switchbacks on a wheeled device. Again, if I were to comment on what the plaza is made for, I’d say a beginners’ skatepark. But other than the metal sculptures which kids might feel the urge to climb and traverse, the space is relatively static.
- It is not a place for garbage. Despite seeing (and ultimately picking up) cans, cups, plastic and other garbage littered about the new space, I did not see a single trash can! I fully understand that having a trash receptacle means a city also has to pay workers to service it, but given the size of the space, I struggle to understand how a single garbage can is absent from the plaza. Perhaps there is one and I missed it? *** UPDATE 9/2/2024: I walked the space today, and to my surprise, there were lots of garbage cans! Thank you Rochester!
- Most importantly, it is not very visible. Only from Andrews street can you really see the plaza from the road, and even then you would have to pay close attention. Andrews street is also very lightly-traveled, so programming the “park” in the future will be absolutely necessary in order for people to know it exists.
Is the plaza a win for Rochester? 100% yes. It adds connectivity through downtown that will be increasingly valuable as more off-road corridors are created. Is it a park? Kind of. I would call it more of an intriguing transition space rather than a picnic spot. Though once again, as the trees grow, the plaza will become more attractive. Is it a space where kids (and adults) will enjoy taking their scooters or skateboards? Heck yes. The flowing, relatively smooth, slightly-inclined concrete is perfect for small wheels at any speed. Could it use some more interactive elements such as creative playground or fitness equipment in the future? Yes, all day. I’d like to eventually see more “things” people can do when they use the space.
Finally, a space doesn’t have to have an identity right away. Rochester is just learning how to best utilize Parcel 5, years after it was made into a downtown public green space.
It may take a decade to truly harness the potential of Austin Steward Plaza, and for the plaza itself to come into its own as trees grow and people discover it. And the city is still focused on increasing downtown population and business, connecting people and spaces without the need for a car, and laying the foundation for a more beautiful AND livable city. In the meantime, I’m not shy about saying I’m a fan, and I look forward to the next chance that I might spend time in Rochester’s newest public space.
***I am an urbanist influencer and do not have a formal degree in urban planning. While I am deeply passionate about urban design, trends, issues and topics, I believe in this time of undisciplined media to be honest and transparent regarding my lack of any kind of formal journalism or urban planning education. I still believe in my ability to present my viewpoints on interesting topics, but I fully admit that I have not been trained in the higher-educational rigors of expertise on such perspectives. My goal is to challenge people to think differently, not to be the the cited source of unquestionable truth. This footer will now accompany every Urban Phoenix piece, and I am proud to offer this transparency in a time when opinion is often coveted over rigorously-tested fact.***