The Genesee County Parks provide endless opportunities for recreational activities, connecting with nature, and more! When planning your visit to the parks, please review all rules and regulations. Some park activities may require a use permit. Use permits may be completed and emailed to County Park staff. Please allow a minimum of three weeks for permit review and approval.
Submit Completed Permits
Park Rules and Regulations
- All County Parks are Carry-In Carry-Out. Please take all garbage with you and dispose of it properly after you leave.
- No person shall be permitted within a County Park under the influence of intoxicating beverages, drugs or narcotics.
- Pets must be on a leash at all times.
- Horses and snowmobiles are permitted along roadsides and designated trails only.
- Park summer hours (May - September) are 9:00am - 9:00pm. Park winter hours (October - April) are 9:00am - 5:00pm. Gates and cables will close promptly at closing time.
- Please be aware of seasonal changes in trail conditions. Be aware of natural conditions including but not limited to poison ivy and ticks in some areas.
Click here(PDF, 436KB)
to review the full list of County Park Rules and Regulations.
Pavilion Rental
Pavilions may be rented at both Genesee County Park & Forest and DeWitt Recreation Area. Please visit the pavilion reservation page to make your reservation today.
Special Events
Events including weddings, walk-a-thons, cross country meets, and other activities require a Special Event Permit(PDF, 772KB). Picnics do not require a special event permit.
Scout Groups
Scout groups may receive special permission for overnight or day use camping at the Genesee County Park & Forest. The troop leader must call the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department to check if the date(s) are available for any proposed activity prior to scheduling. A Scouting Event Use Permit(PDF, 969KB)
must be submitted before the date(s) can be approved.
Geocaching
Geocaching and letterboxing are regulated activities within the Genesee County Parks system. In order to protect sensitive park areas, all people wishing to place a geocache/letterbox within a Genesee County Park or Recreation Area must submit a Geocaching Use Permit(PDF, 203KB)
and follow geocaching placement rules and regulations(PDF, 739KB).
Fishing
Those fishing at any County Park or Recreation Area must possess a valid New York State Fishing License. Fishing is permitted only during park hours as posted. Please follow all Fishing Rules and Regulations(PDF, 13KB) and review the New York State Department of Health advice on eating fish you catch.
Renting the Interpretive Nature Center
The Interpretive Nature Center is located within the beautiful scenery of the Genesee County Park and Forest. This post and beam structure sets on the western part of the park overlooking a meadow and a 4-acre wetland. The building is home to the Park’s environmental education programs as well as many other public functions. Along with the meeting spaces the building includes public restrooms, interactive environmental displays, a lab room with countertops and refrigerator, and a small display room. The building is completely handicap accessible and child friendly. Adjacent to the Center is an outdoor composting display, ACORNS Outdoor Learning Center, and a large lawn area for people to enjoy the outdoors on picnic tables. There is plenty of parking available for up to 150 cars.
The Interpretive Nature Center allows business meetings, training sessions, environmental programs, conferences, seminars, and special events. It is not open to weddings or receptions. Click here(PDF, 3MB)
to learn more about the facilities available at the Interpretive Nature Center.
Those that wish to rent the Interpretive Nature Center must submit an Interpretive Center Use Permit(PDF, 243KB)
prior to scheduling their event.
Address: 11095 Bethany Center Rd, East Bethany, NY 14054
Winter Hours: October - April | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer Hours: May - September | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Genesee County Park & Forest, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, was established in 1915 and is recognized as the first County Forest in New York State. However, the land was originally purchased in 1882 in order to supply wood to the County's Poor House for cooking and heating.
The County Forest was created through the efforts of George Fleming, County Home Superintendent, who initiated the planting of 31,000 trees. During the 1920's, New York State helped by providing the evergreens and manpower to plant additional trees. By 1935 over 169,000 trees had been planted.
The first proposal for the creation of a County Park was entertained in 1949, however the project was not started until 1966, when the thinning and pruning of trees began. As the park expanded so did the need for forest management. In 1971, the County Legislators appointed the first full-time Park Supervisor-Forester.
In 1998, an Interpretive Nature Center was erected in the park. Constructed by volunteers and funded by environmental grants, the Nature Center is open year-round. The Nature Center houses several environmental education displays and plays host to a variety of interpretive programs. An environmental educator is on staff to assist residents and coordinate volunteer efforts. For over 30 years the park has developed because of the interest and dedication of community groups and organizations such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, BOCES, Jaycees, Lions Club, Sertoma and the Vietnam Veterans. These groups planted trees, constructed pavilions and playgrounds, cleared hiking trails and placed memorials. Together with the Genesee County ACORNS, the parks non-profit volunteer friends' group, parks staff provides hands-on conservation education activities for thousands of people each year.Click here(PDF, 2MB)
to view our park brochure.
Today, residents can enjoy 430 acres of forest and rolling hills, which includes over 10 miles of trails, five ponds, a variety of wildlife, trees and woodland plants.
Address: 11095 Bethany Center Rd, East Bethany, NY 14054
Winter Hours: October - April | Thursday - Friday 10:00am-4:00pm, Saturday - Sunday 12:00-4:00pm
Summer Hours: May - September | Thursday - Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 12:00-4:00pm
In 1998, after two years of extensive volunteer efforts, Genesee County opened an Interpretive Nature Center in the County Park and Forest in East Bethany. Located ¼ mile from the Bethany Center Road entrance, the post and beam structure is host to hundreds of environmental and natural displays.
The Interpretive Nature Center has become a focal point for several community and school environmental education programs. The Center is equipped with an activity room, classroom, several display rooms and a Discovery Zone. Visitors often view deer, rabbits, turkey and other wildlife from the elevated rear porch.
Future plans for the Interpretive Nature Center include a wetland trail, outdoor displays such as a butterfly and sensory garden, a courtyard and pavilion. If you are interested in hosting a program or volunteering your time at the Interpretive Nature Center please contact Claudia Nusstein, Conservation Education Program Coordinator, at (585) 344-1122.
Address: 115 Cedar Street, Batavia, NY 14020
Summer Hours: May-Sept | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Winter Hours: Oct-April | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Prior to 1935, DeWitt Recreation Area was used as a sand and gravel quarry by Genesee LeRoy Stone Company, a subsidiary of B.R. DeWitt Inc. The site was then abandoned to become known as the sandwash, an attraction to local residents for recreational purposes. It wasn’t until November 22, 1992 that B.R. DeWitt Inc. donated the land to Genesee County with the stipulation that it was to be used for family recreation, not for organized sporting events. From this point on, the donated land became known as DeWitt Recreation Area.
The County decided that it would be best to use the park in a way to restore it to its natural setting, since it had been extensively mined for stone and gravel. This would allow a park to be developed so that it could be used for both recreation as well as environmental education, the first of this type of park in an urban setting in the history of Genesee County. The first step taken was by the Batavia Jaycees by donating funding for picnic tables and the park’s first pavilion. It was then discovered by the county that the park complied with the standards of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, and was a viable candidate for state funding for development. With this in mind, on May 24, 1995 Genesee County hired Reimann-Buechner as consultant-designer to draft a master plan for development of the park. The plan for the 63 acre park, that includes a 38 acre pond with an island, was divided into phases involving a gradual development of the park for a variety of uses. The master plan became a reality on June 6, 1996 when it was approved by the Genesee County Parks, Recreation, and Forest Advisory Committee.
To date visitors can enjoy an access road, parking areas, a picnic shelter with restrooms, public electric, water and sewer, playground, quarter mile paved trail loop, accessible fishing dock, canoe launch, marked trails, and a grading system accompanied by plantings to prevent soil erosion as well to restore the park to its pre-mining conditions.
With the continued help of many local organizations and the community, future plans for DeWitt Recreation Area will include additional parking areas, more restrooms, two additional picnic areas, a play area for preschool age children, as well as continued development of trails and plant life. Further development also includes a bridge that will be constructed at the south end of the park to continue the trail system to the island in the center of the pond, fishing piers, a floating boat dock, an amphitheater, and additional naturalized fencing for protective purposes. Due to the extreme slope and variations of water level throughout the year, it is not possible to have a swimming area that will meet NY State regulations, however there is a variety of other recreational resources in the park at this time.
View the USGS National Water Dashboard to see real-time information on water levels at DeWitt Recreation Area.