Snowsports in Rochester are meant to be exciting and memorable. Ice hockey is filled with intensity and speed, while cross-country skiing will leave you feeling breathless, exhilarated, and eager for more fun. When you come to Rochester, be sure to visit these five locations. These are the best places to participate in snow sports while you’re in Rochester.
Blue Cross Arena
Commonly referred to as the War Memorial, the Blue Cross Arena opened in 1955 as the Rochester Community War Memorial. Flash-forward decades later, and the multipurpose indoor arena now serves as a wonderful place to play hockey or participate in all types of skiing, from cross-country to alpine. Considering that in 2021 there were 133,444 snowmobiles sold worldwide, with 59,234 being sold in the U.S. and 50,567 sold in Canada only insinuates you’ll find the equipment you need if you know where to look. In addition, you won’t have to worry about any unnecessary risks, as the park is known to safely host top-notch events, including Wrestlemania and the Rochester Americans hockey team.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square
The memorial lodge contains a full kitchen and seating for 230. A perfect opportunity to rent if you have $600 to spare. If not, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park itself can be found next to the Strong Museum in the East End District. It’s home to a huge concrete plaza that contains a 2,000-seat amphitheater and skating rink. Here, memories and photographs will produce happy memories for your family, as well as the opportunity to ice skate in the colder months of the year.
Lakeshore Hockey Arena
At the Lakeshore Hockey Arena, your family can learn how to skate for the first time, how to figure skate, and how to sign up for fun skating camps throughout the year. As the ice is home to one of the most exciting sports of all time, the Lakeshore Arena is a good idea if it’s hockey in particular that you’re hoping to have fun with. The Arena’s also a great spot if you need to get your kids involved in something fun during the summer. As long as you can keep up with the registration fees, this spot is sure to take up plenty of your time.
Black Creek Park
In Black Creek Park, you’ll be sitting about 10 miles southwest of Rochester. There you’ll learn that while there are more than 3,000 snowmobile clubs in the world involved in trail grooming or charity fundraising. The most memorable family activities begin when you become one with nature at Black Creek Park. There are plenty of hiking trails to peruse in the winter. With hiking comes opportunities to embrace nature and wildlife, but be sure to be respectful and mindful of your time spent in this park. The locals will know that cross-country skiing and sledding can be a lot of fun, so long as everyone takes the time to respect the park’s rules and regulations.
Genesee Valley Park
Genesee Valley Park is located on the eastern bank of the Genesee River and is one of the best spots to visit in Rochester if cross-country skiing captures your interest. While there are plenty of hiking trails, this park stands out for the challenge you’ll take on when you decide to put on your skis. Remember, while out and about, you need to warm up your equipment batteries to at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit before attempting to charge the device. As long as you put as much effort into safety as having fun, Genesee Valley might end up as more than a brief stop. Just think of the sports camps and lodges available. You’ll be glad you did.
Rochester, New York is a wonderful place to participate in snow sports of all kinds while having fun with your family. Whether you’re interested in cross-country skiing or figure skating for the first time, choosing the right snow sports arenas takes as much attention to detail as focus on entertainment value. Fortunately, the parks in Rochester will be sure to keep your family coming back year after year.
Crafting has taken on a whole new life. People are finding that they can make desired goods that will make them a little money along the way. Plenty of crafting groups have sprung up on social media that specifically look at helping people in the Rochester area find ways to sell their lovely products, but it goes beyond that as well. There are many great places in the physical space of Rochester that are also great for selling products and making some extra money.
Small, Community-Owned Businesses
World markets have been shaken at this time with trade overseas dropping by a total of 9.5% in the first half of 2020 as the global pandemic took off. The total drop in global trade during that year compared to the previous year (2019) was 16 percent. With supply chains rattled and a lack of clarity about where things are headed next, some communities have turned inward and propped up more community-based forms of trade.
Plenty of handmade goods can be found for sale in the Rochester shop Little Button Craft. Primarily, the crafts that are on display are from the owners of the shop itself, but they occasionally reach out to other local artists to work on collaborations and to purchase goods from them that they will use in their shop. You can see the fine craftsmanship that has gone into the various goods that are available.
Try to take a particularly close look at the wood goods that they have available from time to time. These goods are some of their most durable and most cherished because of their longevity and ability to withstand just about anything thrown at them. When asked in a survey, 92% of people said that they plan to keep the wood furniture that they own for at least 15 years. They know that this furniture is built to last, and they don’t throw it out like they might with furniture made from less durable materials.
Rochester-Made Goods
Creators will have a much easier time finding a market for their goods at a place like this. Roc Made Goods is a crafts market that is open to anyone who makes something that other people in their community might want to buy. They set up the market so that people can come and look at all of the different crafts at one time. They know that if they are hosting an event that requires an event tent (as these markets often do), it makes sense to also rent tables and other supplies from the same rental company, and that is precisely what they do. The creators of the various crafts can pay a small fee to occupy the space of one of those tables and put their goods out for everyone to check out and see what they might like to buy. It is a winning formula that works for everyone who participates in it.
Make sure if you want to participate in this crafts market that you pay close attention to the dates that they have available. This past year, they were only open for two weeks, and those who didn’t get in on the action were simply left out. You need to keep close tabs on what they have going on and when you can apply to get in. Failure to do so may mean that you have to wait until the next season to try to sell your goods at this particular location
The desire to purchase homemade crafts is not going away anytime soon. If you are particularly talented at making a particular type of craft, then you need to check out how to sell what you have created, and you need to figure out a way to get those goods out to the people who are eager to buy them from you.
There is some unfortunate news regarding driving in Rochester, New York. The police and media have reported an increase in carjackings, and if you’re a driver you know that’s trouble. Carjackers are often armed, violent, and desperate to get away from the scene of a crime, making the situation very volatile if you’re unprepared or choose to fight back. Even though carjackings are on the rise, there is evidence that suggests that it’s still safe to drive in Rochester, so long as you know what you’re doing.
Police Intervention Helps
The Sentencing Project has revealed research to show a 500% increase in inmates over the last 40 years. Though there is an overall decrease in crime, more people are going to jail, and among the criminal population are carjackers. Fortunately, police can work in a number of ways to catch these criminals. From setting up roadblocks to preparing stings, generally, the police can zone in on an area where there are repeated carjackings and get in front of the problem. Should a carjacking occur, there is also a risk of subsequent carjacking, as criminals try desperately to flee? The good news is, because of the carjackings, there will be no shortage of police patrolling the streets. Unlike in the movies, police pursuits often end with the suspect dead or apprehended, so if you see an increased police presence in Rochester, it may mean you are safer driving than you would without them around.
Staying Safe While Driving
Check to see where you are on the road at all times. If you slip into a dark street, be alert for pedestrians coming closer to your vehicle. Many cars nowadays have a security feature that locks vehicle doors automatically. Even without this feature, you never want to find yourself at a traffic light with your passenger or driver’s side doors unlocked. Also, it’s in your best interests to drive safely so you don’t attract the attention of criminals. Sometimes, criminals will see dangerous driving as a sign that you’re the perfect target to pick on. For that reason, it’s best to obey the rules and stick to the law while you’re driving. An important fact is that Americans report spending 87 minutes a day on average in their cars, but a median of only one hour. The more time you have to spend in your car in Rochester, the more effort you’ll have to put into staying safe.
Be Vigilant and Report Suspicious Activity
Work with the public to fight back by reporting suspicious behavior. There will be times in Rochester when you see strangers lurking, people hiding their actions, and people clearly engaged in criminal activity. It may be tempting to ignore this activity, but all you’re doing is increasing the chances that someone else might be victimized by a crime. With all the carjackings taking place, the more vigilant you are, the more likely others will follow suit. For carjackings, police helicopters are often used when concerned citizens report upcoming changes regarding suspicious activity to the police. The U.S. has five times more heliports than any other country. That means there are always opportunities for law enforcement units to get in the air and search as long as citizens are forthcoming with information. Take pride in your community and report suspicious activity to the police. In doing so, you may be saving another person from a violent carjacking in Rochester.
Police may be reporting an increase in carjackings, but you can still drive safely in Rochester if you take the time to drive safely and report suspicious activity to the police. Part of fighting back against these carjackings requires many citizens to work together and talk about what they’re seeing in the community. No matter where you go in the United States, you’re sure to find a community affected by crime. But as long as people take safety precautions, they’ll at least be able to get around Rochester, New York safely without too much of a hassle.
If you were one of the many people looking forward to the Rochester Auto Show this year, you’re unfortunately out of luck. COVID-19 and its spread have canceled this event for the year, leaving many people with few options for fun. Thankfully, there are still many things that you can do to keep yourself entertained and avoid pandemic boredom concerns. These ideas might just help you get through this tough time.
Welcome back, readers! In this edition of Filling In, let’s take another look at Parcel 5. Before we get started, quickly refresh by scouting the last time we discussed this site. I apologize in advance that this article probably isn’t going to cover much more about what I think should be done with the site, rather, what should probably not be done, and why…
It will actually be warm soon—and stay warm. But, when you live in upstate NY you don’t necessarily wait for the ground to thaw to start your housing search. Smart shoppers know the best spots don’t last long on the market, whether it’s a new build, a fixer upper or a historic landmark. Now there’s another tool you can add to your home buying tool box.
The City of Rochester, City Council, and the Rochester Coalition for Neighborhood Living have launched Celebrate City Living , a new program to help homebuyers and renters learn about the benefits of living in the city and find the resources to make it easier to buy or rent a home in Rochester…
When we last spoke, it was Halloween, and we were on the eve of our first zoning board of appeals and preservation board hearings. It’s now March and we’ve been to two hearings for each board, and spoiler alert, we’ve received approval(s) from each. Yay! But now that we’re here, let’s take a look at the process and all the fun we had…
And now for the final chapter of our little zoning adventure. This is the part where you, the gentle reader, are given the opportunity to read a final few hundred words about the kinds of zoning changes that would really make a difference in Rochester. If that sounds terrible (it might be), don’t click on.
You may have noticed the City of Rochester went red last night. February is American Heart Month and buildings including Xerox Tower, Kodak Tower, One East Avenue, Rundell Library, and City Hall were lit up to show support for National Wear Red Day and raise awareness about heart health…
Well, it had to come to this – a whirlwind article about everything else in Rochester. We’re going to run the gamut from Industrial, to all the Center City District (CCD) zones to Open Space, and everything inbetween. Buckle Up…
Here’s a quick update on a story we brought attention to exactly five years ago. On this empty lot (shown above) once stood 72 Conkey Avenue. The old 19th century Victorian storefront had been the subject of a demolition-vs-rehabilitation debate—one between the City of Rochester and neighborhood resident, Jim Fraser, who has restored a handful of neglected homes in the area. Jim saw 72 Conkey as a diamond in the rough…
Hope your heart is still racing from our introduction to Zoning last week, because this week we’re talking about residential zoning in Rochester!
Contrary to common knowledge, residential zoning isn’t exclusively for residences (nor is commercial zoning exclusively for commercial – it’s a good place to build apartments, in fact). That said, Rochester has 3 specific residential zones that we’re discussing here. Grab your bow tie and let’s go…
Well readers, this is it. The series of articles you’ve been waiting for your entire life without even knowing it. That’s right, we’re going to talk about zoning, and more specifically, zoning in Rochester. I’ve been known to refer to zoning as the last bastion for the wicked, and over the next few weeks, I look forward to pleading my case.
Yesterday we took a bike ride down inside the Inner Loop with Matthew Ehlers to see how Rochester’s “big fill” was progressing. Quite nicely I’d say. But once filled, the next question becomes, what will fill the void.
RocSubway reader Ben Voellinger pointed us to a recent document posted to the City’s website that outlines recommendations for future development(s) along the new Union Street. Thanks Ben! Let’s take a look…
On Saturday, April 25th, from 11am to 7pm, Arnett Boulevard between Rugby Avenue and Wellington Avenue in southwest Rochester’s 19th Ward Neighborhood will come alive with events, artwork, and temporary small businesses.
This Better Block project, in the historic Arnett Trolley Stop District, is part of a nation-wide movement to demonstrate possibilities for revitalizing urban neighborhoods.
Rochester’s Southeast Quadrant will take part in Community Solar NY, a program designed to make investing in solar power easier and more affordable for local residents and businesses. The Solarize Flower City program kicks off with neighborhood workshops starting in May, where residents and business owners can learn about the program…
Last week we paid a final visit to the abandoned Sykes Datatronics building on Orchard Street . This week we take a look at recent work submitted by RIT Architecture students that reimagines this former industrial site as a new and robust community center…
About a year and a half ago we shared some photos from inside the abandoned Sykes Datatronics building on Orchard Street (south of Lyell Ave). That building was part of a complex that was home to many different companies from 1915 until Sykes Datatronics (a computer company) left in 1992. Demolition crews have been slowly deconstructing the property since the fall…
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![2008 Conceptual plan for Midtown by the City of Rochester [PHOTO: City Hall Photo Lab Contemporary Collection]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/topics/wp-content/uploads/Original_Conceptual_Plan.jpg)
![Xerox Plaza [PHOTO: Author]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/denker/links/Xerox_Plaza.jpg)
![Celebrate City Living is a new program aiming to help homebuyers and renters learn about the benefits of living in the city. [Image: Provided]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/celebrate-city-living-01.jpg)
![Cleaning at Rochester's Lower Falls [PHOTO: The Lower Falls Foundation]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/denker/links/Cleaning_Rochester_Lower_Falls.jpg)
![Rochester buildings were illuminated in red yesterday for National Wear Red Day, an event to raise awareness about heart disease & stroke for the American Heart Association. [Image: Kathy Oehling Photography]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-buildings-go-red-for-heart-disease-01.jpg)
![72 Conkey Avenue has been demolished. [IMAGE: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/clifford-and-conkey.jpg)
![34 Atkinson Street - An utterly illegal house to build today. [IMAGE: Google]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/denker/zoning/34_Atkinson_St.jpg)
![Current Rochester Zoning Map [IMAGE: City of Rochester]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/denker/zoning/Rochester_Zoning_Map.jpg)
![A recent report from Stantec outlines recommendations and suggestions for the redevelopment of Union Street after the Inner Loop is filled. [IMAGE: Philip Michael Brown Studio / City of Rochester]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-inner-loop-development-00.jpg)
![On Saturday, April 25th, from 11am to 7pm, Arnett Boulevard between Rugby Avenue and Wellington Avenue in southwest Rochester’s 19th Ward Neighborhood will come alive with events, artwork, and temporary small businesses. [PHOTO: BetterBlock.org]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/better-block-01.jpg)
![Rochester’s Southeast Quadrant will take part in Community Solar NY, a program designed to make investing in solar power easier and more affordable for local residents and businesses. [PHOTO: Ruairí, Flickr]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/solarize-flower-city-01.jpg)
![RIT Architecture grad students have designed a plan for the former Sykes Datatronics brownfield site on Orchard and Whitney Streets. [PHOTO: Anonymous]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/abandoned-rochester-sykes-datatronics-exterior-03.jpg)
![Abandoned Sykes Datatronics building on Orchard Street. Demolition work has been going on since the fall. [PHOTO: Anonymous]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/return-to-abandoned-sykes-datatronics-building-04.jpg)
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