Monroe County NyArchives History - Books .....Parks 1957 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 23, 2007, 6:00 pm Book Title: Irondequoit Story PARKS Seneca To Irondequoit people, Seneca Park has always been a favorite plaground. [sic] The little lake, years ago, was the center of activity in this area. There was also the huge bird cage or aviary with its many winged creatures which was a source of great attraction, as was the small pavilion located at the northwest end of the lake, from which one could watch the boating and swimming programs. These features were most interesting and drew large .crowds to the park. Now, all that is left of that era is a quiet little body of water-just a mere pond. To-day's attraction in Seneca Park is the Zoo, with its huge buildings housing both birds and beasts. The Childrens' Area is a place set apart where the very young set may play with and pet the animals to their great delight, while the older young people find recreation and fun at the swimming pool, on the tennis courts or just following the lovely, shaded paved roads which run through the park's 245 acres. In the summer season, from Decoration Day through Labor Day, thousands visit the park's weekly Animal Circus. There, one can see trained seals climb ladders and balance objects on their noses; a chimpanzee eat a meal using all the implements that a human would; bears do marvelous stunts and many other most interesting performances. This part of Irondequoit was annexed by Rochester in 1891. Durand Eastman Durand Eastman Park, which also formerly occupied Irondequoit land, comprises 500 acres of beautifully landscaped and maintained grounds. Fronting on Lake Ontario, it also includes two small and picturesque lakes, encircled by a network of bridle paths and walks. Countless varieties of evergreen and flowering trees make this area a beautiful spot, particularly in the spring and fall seasons when colors are outstanding. The bath houses, built in 1915, have been unused since 1949 because changing water levels of the Lake have now covered most of the wide, white sand beach that formerly made this a popular swimming resort extending west to Sunset Point and beyond. In 1917, a 9-hole golf course was laid out; later, this was extended to include 18 holes and a club house was built on the edge of the southern entrance to the park via the King's Highway. The several picnic shelters and facilities scattered throughout the grounds and the beauty of the entire area make Durand Eastman Park a great favorite with Irondequoit residents. On February 4, 1908 Durand Eastman Park land was transferred to the City of Rochester, the gift of George Eastman and Henry Durand, whose names it bears. On May 22, 1909, the formal dedication of Durand Eastman Park was observed, with about 150 city and county officials and hosts of interested citizens assisting in the ceremonies, as this magnificent lakeside area was officially dedicated as a city park. Trolley cars took the crowd down to the lakeside, and there was a half mile walk from the car line to the point where the ceremonies took place. The greater portion of the visitors to the park were on foot. At the head of the procession marched Director Theodore Dossenbach and his Park Band. The musicians were followed by the Lincoln Guards, a company of boys of No. 26 school who had been drilled by their principal, Colonel Samuel P. Moulthrop. One of the boys carried a flag, and altogether the procession took on quite a military air. Next came the rest of the visitors while the vehicles brought up the rear. During the ceremonies, speeches were made by Corporation Counsel William W. Webb, Professor Samuel Lattimore, Mrs-Helen Montgomery, Benjamin E. Chase, Mayor Hiram H. Edger-ton, Rabbi Max Landsberg, Eugene Raines, President Edward C. Miner of the Chamber of Commerce, Justice Arthur E. Sutherland, Ex-Judge John D. Lynn and the Rev. Dr. William R. Taylor, Pastor of Brick Presbyterian Church. On one of the bluffs a flag pole was to be erected, and one of the ceremonies of the park dedication was the raising of a flag. It was raised on a gin-pole which later was to be used to hoist the flag pole into position. Colonel Samuel P. Moulthrop and the Lincoln Guards of No. 26 school were in charge of the flag-raising. As the guards stood at attention, the flag was hauled slowly up the staff and the Park Band played the Star Spangled Banner, as Old Glory fluttered free to the breeze. The ensign used for the ceremony had been previously used in 1892 when President Benjamin Harrison visited Rochester to assist in the unveiling of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Washington Square. The spectators stood with heads uncovered and eyes raised to the colors while not a few joined in the singing of the national anthem. Some distance west of the spot where the flag was hoisted, two oak saplings were planted in honor of the donors of the park. Colonel Moulthrop presented these trees to the Park Board in behalf of No. 26 school and the Reverend Dr. William Taylor made the speech of acceptance. This ended the formal ceremonies. Among the guests of the Park Board for the occasion were the Common Council, the Board of Supervisors, the Civil Service Commission, Assesors, Judges and most of the Officials of the City Government. In 1913, most of the park land which had previously been used as a playground was converted into a zoo. Additional Comments: Extracted from: IRONDEQUOIT STORY A History of the Town of Irondequoit (Suburb of Rochester, County of Monroe, State of New York) COVERING THE YEARS 1839-1957 Collected and Compiled by MAUDE I. WEST, Town Historian Published by The Town of Irondequoit File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/ny/monroe/history/1957/irondequ/parks9ms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/nyfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb