Changes Over Time

Changes Over Time. Turning Point Park. , Changes Over Time, 19th Century , Industrial Era , For a century, starting in the 1870s, this area of the Genesee River was dominated by industrial uses. , The railroad trestle, shown above, was built up on this site in 1909 to transfer coal from railroad cars to cargo ships in the river below. The coal from mines in the Appalacian mountains was used along the river and shipped to Canada. As the demand for coal waned, the trestle became obsolete and in 1971, it was dismantled. , Coal Transportation , Remnant foundations of the trestle, docks and mooring platforms are visible throughout the park. This overlook is located on an old abutment for the trestle, and the trail from Lake Avenue down to the river is built on the old railroad yards. The only active industrial use is the unloading of cement (via a pipe system which crosses over the trail) for the cement plant located next to the park on Boxart Street. , 20th Century , Nature Preserve , In 1972 local citizns opposed development of an oil tank farm on this site and saved it for public use. , Turning Point Park was named for this location, at the bow on the river called the turning basin, as well as for the historic change in public attitude toward the river as a natural scenic asset for recreation. , The park was dedicated as a nature reserve, with a parking lot and trails in 1977. In 2006 a boardwalk across the turning basin extended the Genesee Riverway Trail through the park. , 21st Century , Eco Park , Today green infrastructure (including permeable pavements, biofiltration areas and rain gardens) along with the natural forest and wetlands improve the quality of storm water flowing from this site into the Genesee River and Lake Ontario.