amusement rides were popular recreating spots in Roches
Highland Park with lilacs and pavilion, and Sea Breeze Park with its hotels and amusement rides were popular recreating spots in Rochester, NY. Hand-drawn lilacs and photographed copper beech leaves adorn the design, and an historic photo of the aqueduct forms the narrow stripe. Designs based on images from Highland Park Conservatory and Monroe County Library System. The lakefront in Rochester was a strong draw for recreation, and one lakeside village had thirty-five saloons in 1900. Ironically, the first city playground wasn't built until 1904. The pavilion shown topped the hill at Highland Park, founded by George Eastman of Kodak fame. While the pavilion is long gone, the park still hosts an annual lilac festival that brings visitors from around the world. Many varieties of lilacs have been collected and bred by park specialists. The aqueduct was built near the downtown area after years of putting up with flooding from the river. Copper beech had a special place in many hearts -- Kodak park maintained a large tree along its Lake Avenue buildings. Even when the buildings disappear, the copper beech remains.