Highland Park (Rochester, New York)

Highland Park is a historically significant and botanically diverse urban park located in Rochester, New York. It is one of the city's oldest parks, renowned for its Olmstedian design principles and extensive collections of horticultural specimens.

The park's design and development are largely attributed to landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., and his firm, although only parts of the park were directly designed by him. The firm of Olmsted, Vaux & Co. developed the initial designs, and later versions were implemented by his successor firm, Olmsted Brothers. The park's layout emphasizes naturalistic landscapes, picturesque vistas, and winding paths.

Key features of Highland Park include the Lamberton Conservatory, a Victorian-era glasshouse showcasing diverse plant species from around the world; the Warner Castle, a replica of a Scottish castle built as a private residence and later incorporated into the park; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester; and numerous gardens and collections, including a notable collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. Highland Park is also home to the annual Lilac Festival, a ten-day event celebrating the blooming of the park's extensive lilac collection, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The park’s history is deeply intertwined with the development of Rochester's park system and the progressive era emphasis on public spaces for recreation and respite. It continues to serve as a vital green space for the city's residents and a significant cultural attraction. The park is maintained by the Monroe County Parks Department.