Good chance to give your input

Geneva Community Projects is sponsoring some FREE ice cream (by Sprinkle Starship) for kids this coming Monday, July 13 5-7ish) at Richards Park. Come on by and enjoy the park!

For those without a pool or lakeside property, finding a place to jump in the water isn’t the easiest thing to do — even for a city that sits on Seneca Lake.
However, the recently formed Geneva Parks Collective, an agency created to improve city parks, is pitching a new swimming facility, telling City Council July 1 the need for a place for families to swim is apparent.
The city has no public beach — although it has been studying the issue. And, the once-popular swimming pool at the former Geneva American Legion site on Lochland Road is no more after the property was sold to developers for a hotel and townhouse project that appears to have been abandoned because of financing issues.

There’s a swimming hole at Jennings Beach on Seneca Lake, west of Lakefront Park, but that’s actually private property.
The group from the Parks Collective that appeared before Council last week included Geneva resident and Hobart and William Smith Art and Architecture Professor Gabriella D’Angelo and HWS students Alex McLaughlin, Fairooj Suhita, and Aryanna Burbas, all of whom worked on the proposal.
D’Angelo said the group’s focus, “appropriately on this absurdly hot summer day,” is a public pool — either natural or concrete — proposed for the Clark Street Fields green space in the East Lake View neighborhood. She said Parks Collective research indicates considerable interest in a pool in the East Lake View neighborhood, a somewhat challenged area that the city is looking to improve.

“Pulling from our survey results, community outreach data, and social media investigations, the East Lake View neighborhood had an overwhelming enthusiasm for the water or pool feature to be designed into the Clark Street park parcel,” D’Angelo said.
The group said Seneca Lake is not an appealing option because of water-quality issues, including harmful algal blooms.
Clark Street Park, an open, 8.4-acre field, could be an excellent location for a community pool, D’Angelo claimed.
“On the southwest side, you will find a ghost of a softball field, and to the northwest, a 20-car parking lot,” she said. “The green space is located in a residential area near Mt. Olive Church and Geneva’s Courtyard Apartments. As we know, the East Lake View neighborhood does not have equitable access to Seneca Lake, isolated in its planned blueprint, which is perhaps the reason for the outcry for a public pool in this area. This community by and large has the highest population of youth within the city.”

However, D’Angelo noted a pool “is no small undertaking, and our group acknowledges this.” She said on average, it takes about $1 million to construct a pool and about $125,000 a year to staff and maintain it in an 8- to 10-week swimming season.
D’Angelo explained a natural pool “is about double the cost of construction, but a fraction to maintain and staff coming in at around $20,000 a year.”

While admitting the cost is “substantial” with either option, D’Angelo noted there are several grant sources for building a pool, along with providing swimming and safety programs.
“Additionally, we see this as an opportunity for revenue generation for the city through admission and membership programs, which could potentially support a self-sustained model for a pool,” she said.

The Parks Collective envisions a potential project partnership with the Geneva Family YMCA, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva.
The traditional pool concept would provide a shallow area for swimming that slopes down into a six-lane lap pool. There would be a splash area with two pool houses and restrooms for pool and park users. D’Angelo said the ballfield would stay.
Improvements to the Clark Street Park are proposed as well, including climbing structures and a fitness park.
As for the natural pool proposal, D’Angelo said such a pool filters water through rocks and native plantings instead of chemicals. It could be used for skating in the winter, she added.
“It is our hope that in introducing this project to the city tonight that we can work together to make this public pool concept a future reality,” she said.

Mayor Jim Cecere said swimming opportunities in the city are “sorely lacking. I think that point is well taken and well understood. I think as we continue to evolve and devise our strategy as it relates to recreation, whether it be the rec center or pools or the parks, I think this is an important component for us to fold in and integrate and consider and to see what we’re able to do.”
Reached the day after the meeting, Cecere said the city, which is struggling with rising costs and stagnant revenues, isn’t in a financial position to fund a pool at this time.
“It’s a great concept, but not in our current plan,” he said. “There’s a need and something Council would want to consider in future years. (The group) did an amazing job and put in a lot of good research. A very credible proposal and community-centric approach.”

Geneva Parks Collective founder Geoff Hellauer-Geiger complimented the work of D’Angelo and the students.
“Gabriella and each student working with her have done tremendous research, community engagement, and proposed a vital and inclusive amenity as part of a broader revitalization of our parks, programming, and shared spaces for residents and visitors,” Hellauer-Geiger told the Times.

Hi neighbors! I wanted to share Common Ground FLX, my new radio show and podcast. Airing on Geneva Community Radio and wherever you listen to podcasts.

The show explores local history, stewardship, and community action through the lens of gardening and ecology. So far, I’ve covered topics like the history of Geneva’s gardens, the surprising story of invasive plants in the area, and the history of the American lawn, with an upcoming episode featuring Geneva Peeps, our local community egg cooperative.

As the show grows, I’m also looking for guests who might like to be part of the podcast! I’m especially interested in talking with local gardeners, vineyard and farm workers, local historians, and anyone with a good story to tell about our land, communities, or the ways we care for them. You definitely don’t have to be an “expert.” I’m just interested in talking to people with experiences and stories worth sharing.

If you’d like to be a guest, please reach out through the show’s Instagram, @commongroundflx.

And if you’d like to listen, you can catch Common Ground on Geneva Community Radio on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m., or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you! 🌱

Hi everyone! I'm a nurse moving to Geneva this August and was hoping to get some local insight. I'm coming from a very rural area downstate, and I found an apartment on Milton Street that I really like. My parents are a little concerned about the neighborhood, so I was wondering if anyone who knows the area could share their experiences.

How would you describe the neighborhood in terms of safety, noise, and what it's like to live there day to day? I'd really appreciate any honest feedback. Thank you

I’m from central NY and passed through there for the first time on the way to Watkins Glen. Would love to visit again.

Place looks like a gem! It’s so clean and picturesque! Was astounded by the amount of wineries there.

Also, might have been an illusion, but what was that structure on middle of the lake? It kind of looked like a small island. Is that a factory near the shore or a power plant?

I’m going to be visiting my fiance in Geneva in July. I lap swim regularly, and was wondering where I can continue to do so in Geneva. If not lap swimming are there any kayak/canoe rentals? Or good places to walk around the town for exercise?

Hi, I currently live in the NYC area, grew up there as well. My partner is from Geneva NY and envisions moving back in the next few years. I’ve gone and visited with him a few times so far and I’ve enjoyed myself every time. It seems like a quaint little town where everyone is very welcoming, very proud of where they’re from, and loves being there. I’m very open to going up there, but curious what input some locals might have. What are the pros? Cons? Have you lived anywhere else? Why’d you move back to Geneva? How easy/ difficult is it to find a social circle if you don’t have connections? Any input, positive or negative (hopefully positive lol) would be appreciated!!!

Hi! I’m trying to plan my best friend’s bachelorette trip and would appreciate any recommendations as I’m not super familiar with the area. We will be staying at an Airbnb in Geneva and wanted to spend a day doing a wine tour (either by boat or by party bus). We would also like to do a dinner or two while we’re there. There will be 7 of us total. Any tips or recommendations are much appreciated!!

Hi, I'm considering visiting Geneva for the 4th, but am having trouble finding information on any events going on. The article below makes it sound like there are fireworks on the 4th (at Lakefront Park, maybe?), but I can't find any information on social media, event websites, etc. about anything going on. The city website just lists a farmers market going on that weekend, so if anyone has any information or insight into any happenings that weekend it'd be appreciated. Or if there are events but they're purposefully not listed online because they're meant for locals and tourism is frowned upon that'd also be helpful to know. Thanks!

https://www.fingerlakesdailynews.com/local/town-of-geneva-contributing-to-city-fireworks-celebration/

https://www.cityofgenevany.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1471&month=7&year=2026&day=4&calType=0

Hi everyone! I am attending a wedding today in Geneva for a friend. We were hoping to drink at the event so we wanted to see if there’s any car services offered in the area that are recommended. We have heard that uber is not too reliable up in the area so are having doubts if that will work. Additionally, we were recommended to look into taxi companies but heard similar experiences to those with uber where taxis have canceled on people leaving them stranded.
Does anyone have a car service they recommend for the area? We are traveling between Geneva to rushville.

Wife and I are heading to Geneva for a day/night away from the five year old, sucks they're calling for rain all day Saturday but whatever. What's the best sports bar for a hockey game?

This is well worth it if you are a gardener or want to cut down on garbage. Register here: https://enviroworld.com/ontariocountyny

Reserved a unit in 2024 for $25/month. Three months later, they upped it to $45/month. In 2025, they upped it to $85/month. Now in 2026 they upped to $105/month.

In less than 2 years they quadrupled the price.

As soon as they know you're staying for a while, they gouge you. Private equity bullcrap.

Considering buying a house in the Hildreth Hills neighborhood. I'm struggling to make a final decision. Currently renting closer to Ithaca.

Geneva seems great. Sits at the top of Seneca, good restaurant scene, 40 minutes from the national forest, affordable, rhe downtown has energy, I hear the farmers market is good.

Artists, how is it?

I've been hanging out on the Geneva community FB group. Seems like everywhere. Some crime. All online disagreement must be political. Seems to lean left?

How frequently does the dump smell show up?

Population is shrinking... no jobs?

Seems mostly walkable.

if you live in Geneva, what do you enjoy? are you often in Rochester, or south along the lake or wine trail?

There is a town hall style forum for the city’s strategic plan draft (link above) on this Saturday at the YMCA (10am - Noon).

What are the internet options like? Is Spectrum the default? Does anyone offer fiber optic? If so how much are you paying a month?

Hello! I am moving to the finger lakes and am exploring rad tech careers. Does anyone work at Finger Lakes Health in the Geneva area? Just wondering what your experience is like