Park Information and Permits

Park Permits

Genesee County Parks offer opportunities for recreation, nature activities, special events and more. Before your visit, review the park rules and determine whether your activity requires a permit.

Completed use permits may be 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. Take all garbage with you and dispose of it properly after you leave.
• No person is permitted within a County Park while 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.
• Summer park hours, May through September, are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Winter park hours, October through April, are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Gates and cables close promptly at closing time.
• Be aware of seasonal trail conditions and natural hazards, including poison ivy and ticks.

Review the complete Genesee County Park Rules and Regulations (PDF)(PDF, 368KB).

Special Events

Weddings, walk-a-thons, cross-country meets and other organized activities require a Special Event Permit (PDF)(PDF, 187KB). Picnics do not require a special event permit.

Scout Groups

Scout groups may receive special permission for overnight or day-use camping at Genesee County Park & Forest. Before scheduling an activity, the troop leader must contact the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department to confirm that the requested date is available.

A Scouting Event Use Permit (PDF)(PDF, 253KB) must be submitted before the date can be approved.

Geocaching

Geocaching and letterboxing are regulated activities within the Genesee County Parks system. To help protect sensitive park areas, anyone wishing to place a geocache or letterbox within a County Park or Recreation Area must submit a Geocaching Use Permit (PDF)(PDF, 231KB) and follow the geocaching rules and regulations (PDF)(PDF, 739KB).

Fishing

Anyone fishing at a County Park or Recreation Area must have a valid New York State Fishing License. Fishing is permitted only during posted park hours.

Review the Genesee County Parks Fishing Rules and Regulations (PDF)(PDF, 13KB) and 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 Genesee County Park & Forest and overlooks a meadow and four-acre wetland. The post-and-beam building hosts environmental education programs, meetings and other public functions.

The building includes meeting space, public restrooms, interactive environmental displays, a lab room with countertops and a refrigerator, and a small display room. The building is accessible and child-friendly. Nearby features include an outdoor composting display, the ACORNS Outdoor Learning Center, picnic tables and a large lawn area. Parking is available for up to 150 cars.

The Interpretive Nature Center may be used for business meetings, training sessions, environmental programs, conferences, seminars and special events. Weddings and receptions are not permitted.

Learn more about the Interpretive Nature Center facilities (PDF)(PDF, 3MB).

Anyone wishing to rent the facility must submit an Interpretive Center Use Permit (PDF)(PDF, 161KB) before scheduling an event.

Pavilion Rental

Pavilions may be rented at both Genesee County Park & Forest and DeWitt Recreation Area.

The County Parks System has a Carry-In Carry-Out Policy for all garbage and refuse.

Online Pavilion Reservation System

Genesee County Park & Forest Pavilions

DeWitt Recreation Area Pavilions

Please visit the pavilion reservation page to make a reservation.

Genesee County Park & Forest

Winter Hours: October - April | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer Hours: May - September | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Genesee County Park & Forest attracts thousands of visitors each year. Established in 1915, it is recognized as the first County Forest in New York State. The land was originally purchased in 1882 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 began the planting of 31,000 trees. During the 1920s, New York State provided evergreens and workers to plant additional trees. By 1935, more than 169,000 trees had been planted.

The first proposal to create a County Park was considered in 1949. Work began in 1966 with the thinning and pruning of trees. As the park expanded, so did the need for forest management. In 1971, the County Legislature appointed its first full-time Park Supervisor-Forester.

The Interpretive Nature Center was built in 1998 through volunteer efforts and environmental grant funding. The Nature Center is open year-round and includes environmental education displays and interpretive programs. An environmental educator coordinates programming and volunteer activities.

Community organizations including 4-H, Boy Scouts, BOCES, Jaycees, Lions Club, Sertoma and Vietnam Veterans have contributed to the park by planting trees, building pavilions and playgrounds, clearing trails and installing memorials. Genesee County ACORNS, the park's nonprofit volunteer friends group, also works with park staff to provide hands-on conservation education activities.

View the Genesee County Park & Forest brochure (PDF)(PDF, 2MB).

Today, visitors can enjoy 430 acres of forest and rolling hills, more than 10 miles of trails, five ponds and a variety of wildlife, trees and woodland plants.

(JPG, 165KB)

(JPG, 155KB)

(JPG, 118KB)

The Interpretive Nature Center

Winter Hours: October - April | Thursday - Friday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Summer Hours: May - September | Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Sunday 12:00-4:00 p.m.

In 1998, after two years of extensive volunteer efforts, Genesee County opened the Interpretive Nature Center in Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany. Located one-quarter mile from the Bethany Center Road entrance, the post-and-beam structure features environmental and natural history displays.

The Interpretive Nature Center serves as a site for community and school environmental education programs. It includes an activity room, classroom, several display rooms and a Discovery Zone. Visitors may also see deer, rabbits, turkey and other wildlife from the elevated rear porch.

Future plans listed for the Interpretive Nature Center include a wetland trail, butterfly and sensory gardens, a courtyard and pavilion.

For information about hosting a program or volunteering at the Interpretive Nature Center, contact Claudia Nusstein, Conservation Education Program Coordinator, at (585) 344-1122.

(JPG, 129KB)

(JPG, 124KB)

(JPG, 70KB)

DeWitt Recreation Area

Summer Hours: May-September | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Winter Hours: October-April | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Before 1935, DeWitt Recreation Area was used as a sand and gravel quarry by Genesee LeRoy Stone Company, a subsidiary of B.R. DeWitt Inc. After the quarry was abandoned, the area became known locally as the sandwash and was used for recreation.

On November 22, 1992, B.R. DeWitt Inc. donated the land to Genesee County with the requirement that it be used for family recreation rather than organized sporting events. The property then became known as DeWitt Recreation Area.

Genesee County chose to develop the property in a way that would restore its natural setting while supporting recreation and environmental education. The Batavia Jaycees helped by providing funding for picnic tables and the park's first pavilion.

The County later determined that the property met Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan standards and could qualify for state development funding. On May 24, 1995, Genesee County hired Reimann-Buechner as consultant-designer to prepare a master plan. The 63-acre park, including a 38-acre pond with an island, was planned for gradual development. The master plan was approved by the Genesee County Parks, Recreation, and Forest Advisory Committee on June 6, 1996.

Visitors can use the access road, parking areas, picnic shelter with restrooms, public electric, water and sewer, playground, quarter-mile paved trail loop, accessible fishing dock, canoe launch and marked trails. Grading and plantings have also been used to reduce erosion and help restore the property after its former mining use.

The source also lists future development plans including additional parking, restrooms, picnic areas, a play area for preschool-age children, additional trails and plantings, a bridge to the island, fishing piers, a floating boat dock, an amphitheater and additional naturalized fencing.

Because of the site's steep slopes and changing water levels, the source states that a swimming area cannot meet New York State requirements.

View the USGS National Water Dashboard for real-time water-level information at DeWitt Recreation Area.

(JPG, 123KB)

(JPG, 134KB)

(JPG, 112KB)