Genesee County
Parks and Forest
Maps and information brochures are available at both the DeWitt Recreation Area and the County Park and Forest
Dewitt Recreation Area
115 Cedar St., Batavia, NY
N 42 59.429
W 78 09. 773
115 Cedar St., Batavia, NY
N 42 59.429
W 78 09. 773
The DeWitt Recreation Area is a county park managed and maintained by the Genesee County Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry. The Park was originally used as a gravel quarry which provided sand and gravel to the New York Central Railroad during construction of the many rail lines built in Genesee County. Known locally as the sandwash after it was abandoned as a quarry in the late 1970's, the land was then donated to the county by the B.R. DeWitt Company, to be used as a family recreation area.
Today the Park features a 38 acre lake which is stocked yearly by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation with brown trout. The lake is circled by a 1 mile groomed trail with naturalized areas for viewing wildlife. There are 3 picnic shelters (to reserve a shelter, call 585-344-8508 or visit the park website), a large playground, a fishing platform, and a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. In winter there is an outdoor ice skating area.
Today the Park features a 38 acre lake which is stocked yearly by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation with brown trout. The lake is circled by a 1 mile groomed trail with naturalized areas for viewing wildlife. There are 3 picnic shelters (to reserve a shelter, call 585-344-8508 or visit the park website), a large playground, a fishing platform, and a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. In winter there is an outdoor ice skating area.
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Genesee County Park and Forest
11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany NY, 14054 N 42 52,551 W 78 07.654 |
The Genesee County Park and Forest, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, was established in 1915 and is recognized as the oldest County Forest in New York State. The land was originally purchased in 1882 in order to supply wood to the County Poor House for cooking and heating. The County Forest was created through the efforts of George Fleming, the County Home Superintendent, who initiated the planting of 31,000 trees. During the 1920's, New York State assisted in providing the evergreens and the manpower to plant additional trees. By 1935 over 169,000 trees had been planted. In 1971 the County Legislature appointed the first full-time Park Supervisor-Forester, and designated the area as The Genesee County Park and Forest. Since then the Park and Forest has evolved through the efforts of many community groups and organizations, including the ACORNS. Today visitors can enjoy 431 acres of forested rolling hills, which includes over 12 miles of groomed trails, five ponds, 2 toboggan hills, a 4-acre wetland, a variety of birds and animals, various species of trees and woodland plants - all located in the Black Creek Watershed. There are numerous pavilions located throughout the park and available for picnics and parties, most with easy access to playing fields and playsets. Reservations are required (visit the Park website or call 585-344-8508).
For more in depth park information, go to
http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/
For more information about news and events at the parks, check out the most recent edition of "SEEDLINGS" , the Parks' newsletter. Older editions of Seedlings are archived on the Parks' website (above).