Highland Park Neighbors

Terraced against the glacial moraine that creates the city's highest elevations and best panoramic views lies one of the most pleasant and livable neighborhoods in the Rochester area – Highland Park Neighborhood, formerly known as Ellwanger Berry. This charming triangle of tree-lined residential streets slopes gracefully down from the famed lilacs of Highland Park to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants on Clinton and South Avenues. Century old trees frame many of the neighborhood's classic American Foursquares and stately Tudors, a living reminder of the area's early horticultural roots.

Inside, these historic homes are loaded with stunning architectural details. The homes in the Highland Park Neighborhood offer stained glass windows, elaborate wood trim, handsome staircases, pocket doors and inlaid hardwood floors - to name a few. Outside, welcoming porches and small set backs make it easy to get to know your neighbors. Friendly sidewalks and the close proximity of shops and parks make it the ideal neighborhood to enjoy on foot or bicycle.

For much of the 1800s, the crest and hillside belonged to the grounds of the Ellwanger Barry Nursery Company. That firm, the first and leading nursery company in the region, helped to establish Rochester's lead in the seed and plant industry and confirm its title as the Flower City. In 1888, the aging partners, George Ellwanger and Patrick Barry, donated 20 choice hilltop acres to the city providing the distinctive rolling hills and valleys that make up the nucleus of today's Highland Park. Frederick Law Olmstead, renowned landscape architect of New York City's Central Park, designed the curving paths and outlooks. The lilac collection begun in 1892 with 20 varieties has today grown to more than 500, attracting thousands of visitors each spring during the Lilac Festival. 

Highland Park Neighborhood Residents, however, enjoy Highland Park year round as a daily retreat for walking the dog, biking, sledding, cross-country skiing, and outdoor ice-skating. When you are ready to get out of the cold, no better haven exists than the moist heat and lush greenery of the park's own Lamberton Conservatory.

Smaller pocket parks and green spaces throughout the neighborhood provide additional, more intimate gathering spots. At the tiny triangle park where Mulberry meets Rockingham, neighbors meet at two picnic tables every Monday evening during warm weather for a community potluck. Begun four years ago, the weekly tradition usually involves about a dozen young families, lots of tasty dishes and some intense games of tag. The group often celebrates birthdays together, complete with a special song to mark the occasion. The hottest topic during these amicable get-togethers? "Chili," volunteers a youngster.

A few blocks down the hill between Caroline and Benton Streets, a more formalized group eats together every Thursday night and two weekend meals a month in a common house. Called Community Now, this group of nine families is Rochester's first and only Co-Housing venture. Most members live nearby and eventually the group would like to connect the back yards of several houses on the same block to create shared green space as well.

At the hilltop ridge, across from Highland Park, lies the pastoral campus of Colgate Divinity Schools. Grassy hillsides and flowering trees surround impressive Academic Gothic buildings, constructed during the depression with major funding from John D. Rockefeller. Today the respected seminary prides itself on its diversity and counts among its graduates Martin Luther King, Jr. and Howard Thurman.

Living in the Highland Park Neighborhood is practical as well as pleasant, with a wealth of unique family-owned business just a short walk away. The Epicurean will relish in the array of ethnic and specialty eateries from Indian and Chinese, to Mediterranean and Vegetarian. The homeowner will love the expert advice on home repairs at Hunts Hardware and find those rare specialty parts critical to restoring and maintaining older homes at House Parts. The Cinema Theatre offers second-run films at a bargain and the Highland Bowl hosts outdoor performances of Shakespeare and films for free.