Discover El Camino!

Established as an outgrowth of Project HOPE, the El Camino Neighborhood Association is a collective of block clubs that represent different areas East and West of the El Camino trail. The association was established to support big picture, long-term work in the El Camino neighborhood and to further brand the area for its positive assets. Residents will continue to implement the vision plan, create new opportunities, and ultimately strive to improve quality of life for all who live, visit, worship and play in the community.

Neighborhood partners and residents are leading a vision planning process. A Charrette (Community Design Event) was held on November 7th, 2015 at School #8. About 100 residents, partners and design architects came together to begin designing the future of the El Camino area. A steering committee will begin the vision planning process beginning in January 2016. The El Camino Vision Plan was completed in August of 2016 and is available for download by clicking here!

For questions about the Charrette or Vision plan, reach out to Miguel Melendez, Special Projects Director for the Ibero-American Development Corporation at (585) 467-6410 ext. 28

La Marketa at the International Plaza project will transform that vacant lot that sits diagonally across from Saint Michael’s church into a public plaza for retail and outdoor use.

The plaza will have lights in hopes to curb drug use in the area. In addition to that, it’ll include a bandstand, new landscape designs and provide entry-level retail opportunities for small business to serve the neighborhood.

For more information about upcoming La Marketa at International Plaza events please refer to our Events tab 

2.2 miles long, El Camino was opened in 2012.  Part of the City of Rochester Park and Riverway Trail system, the trail is the result of a public private partnership between the City and Genesee Land Trust.

The trail starts at the Seneca Park Entrance at St Paul St., crosses Ridge Road, Rte 104, Norton St., Avenue D, Clifford Ave. and then ends at Scrantom St. and St Paul St. at the south end.

Conkey Cruisers ride bicycles on the trail on summer evenings for health, fitness and fun.

Throughout the year, volunteers work to keep El Camino clean and welcoming.  Specific dates and meeting locations are listed in the Events, or click “Inquire” for more information.

Genesee Land Trust developed Conkey Corner Park as a gateway to El Camino Trail.  The gardens, playground, and curving walls of Conkey Corner Park replaced an unused parking lot, vacant house and and empty lot.  Hundreds of children from #8, 22 and 50 schools planted the perennial flowers and shrubs of Conkey Corner Park.  Neighbors volunteered to build the playground in 2010.  Rochester Garden Club has planted daffodil and tulip bulbs that bloom each spring.

This City Park is now available to all residents for events and barbeques. The Foodlink Farmstand comes to the park in the summer, and neighborhood events such as the Northeast Family Fitness 5K Walk at El Camino and Harvest Festival bring together hundreds from the community. 

Located at 70 Oakman Street, Rochester NY

Don Samuel Torres Park is a Rochester park off of North Clinton Avenue in the Upper Falls neighborhood. In addition to some greenspace the park has a playground, a baseball diamond and a basketball court.

The streetscape along the park was improved as part of the La Avenida development in 2010.

The park is scheduled for an upgrade in spring/summer 2020

In 2013, graffiti artists from around the world came to Rochester for Wall\Therapy.  Murals bloomed all along El Camino, from the Ave D Rec Center to the painted rug on the Rte 104 Bridge to the Salvatore’s back wall at Ridge Road.  Colorful, evocative and unique, the artists used spray paint to create colorful images.

El Camino Play is a program hosted by Project HOPE to ensure that your children have the best summer possible! Mondays through Fridays, your children, ages 5-18, can come and hang out at Conkey Corner Park with games, arts and free lunches!

Mon- Fri @ Conkey Corner Park  from 12pm-1:30pm

***This event is free, but you MUST register with Gildred Aponte at (585) 567-6410 x33 ***

The HOPE neighborhood has three block clubs and a neighborhood council, all geared towards improving the health and well-being of the community. Block clubs often beautify their own streets, yards, and vacant lots. Residents have their own events and health improvement activities with support from HOPE. The block clubs/Council meet on the following schedule, with the location subject to change:

• F/L/R/T Block Club (Flower, Lill, Radio, Roth and Treyer Streets): 2nd Monday of the month, 6:00 pm at 218 Clifford Avenue.
• Huntington Park Neighborhood Watch: 3rd Monday of the month, 6:00 pm at 218 Clifford Avenue.
• HOPE Neighborhood Council: 4th Wednesday of the month, 6:00 pm at 218 Clifford Avenue. This meeting brings all interested residents in the community together to discuss the neighborhood opportunities and provide direction to the project, call for details (585) 467-6410 ext. 28.

Additionally, the Cutler Plus Community Block Club meets regularly. More information on the happenings in the Cutler Plus area can be found on their website: http://www.cutlerplus.com/

Utilizing bicycling to get neighbors moving towards a more active healthy lifestyle, make healthy food choices, decrease obesity rates, and create a positive image of their neighborhood, Conkey Cruisers bike El Camino on summer evenings. The cruise route travels various loops on the El Camino Trail and community excursions.

Cycling is a simple exercise with numerous health benefits. Throughout the program the Conkey Cruisers health care team is available to check your BMI, height, weight, blood pressure and pulse weekly.

Join in this fun, free, family-friendly program this summer!

Living with Open-Air Drug Markets, May 2015

The ¡No Más! movement is a social campaign to bring awareness and necessary change to the conditions, in the El Camino Neighborhood of Rochester, NY, created by the Open-Air Heroin Market that has reeked havoc on this Local Community.

The ¡No Mas! Human Chain is a signal to those who come to buy drugs that “we are impacted by what you are doing.” ¡No Mas! is about changing the way the Greater Rochester area thinks about the heroin/fentanyl issue. It is important to shine a light on those who are impacted by the almost constant stream of drug sales and drug use that occur in the North Clinton area. It is our sincere hope that this demonstration will send a message to those who come to the Avenue for illicit purposes and they will think twice about how their actions affect the neighborhood they are visiting.

No Mas! Information Sheet

No Mas! Resources

El Camino Estates has helped to improve the housing stock in the neighborhood by developing 50 new units of affordable, modern, and energy efficient homes surrounding the El Camino Trail.  The project was implemented in two phases, with 25 units being constructed at a time. Residents who live in these homes are raising families and increasing the number of youth in the neighborhood, helping to stabilize the area. El Camino Estates properties are within walking distance of the Trail, Ave D Recreational Center and Pool, 3 playgrounds, and many area businesses. These homes are managed by the Ibero-American Development Corporation, for more information contact (585) 232-6548.

Healthy Habits is a program developed by Seniors for Seniors in the HOPE neighborhood. The program is at both St. Michael’s Apartments and Buena Vista Manor (BVM), senior living facilities near El Camino. HOPE has a significant presence, cultivating resident leadership and connecting seniors to new opportunities in their neighborhood. Foodlink’s Curbside Market truck visits each site providing access to affordable healthy food. Seniors lead their own exercise warm-ups, walking groups and other activities. The center for community health provides health education talks once a month with the seniors utilizing bilingual professionals from the community to educate senior residents about maintaining their health. The City of Rochester and Avenue D R-Center have partnered with social activities such as a Ceramics Class in the community room, involving neighborhood youth in activities through an Intergenerational program, and an annual Sweethearts dinner on Valentine’s day.

Paid summer jobs maintaining and enhancing Conkey Corner Park and El Camino Trail hosted by Genesee Land Trust.

Part of the Summer of Opportunity Program (SOOP), 14-15 year olds can apply to be a Landscaper Apprentice through the City’s website — the deadline is in early spring typically February.

In addition to their landscaping work, the youth have weekly field trips to explore career and job readiness including Finger Lakes Community College, Hemlock Lake, and City Hall Mayor’s office.  Genesee Land Trust partners with Ibero-American Action League to present Landscaper Apprentices.

Fresh produce at fair prices are available during the summer at the weekly Curbside Market visit that typically begins in July.  Foodlink and Ibero partner to bring locally grown produce to the corner of Clifford and Conkey Avenues.  An abundance of what is in season from greens to tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.  EBT and WIC FMNP accepted.

In addition to Conkey Corner Park, Curbside market also visits Buena Vista Manor on Avenue A seasonally.

The Michelsen Building
Avenue D at Conkey

Our one- and two-bedroom apartments featuring:

• Contemporary Kitchens
• Convenient to Downtown, Bike Trails, Restaurants and more
• Unique Floor Plans
• Amazing Natural Light
• Energy Star Appliances
• On Site Parking and Laundry
• Restricted Entry
• On-Site Management

Heat is included.

For more information call (585) 454-5710 Stephanie Young
or fill out our application online at the following link: http://themillsathighfalls.com/mm.html