Beckwith Park is a 12.8 acre area of land, nestled in the rapidly developing suburb of Henrietta in upstate New York. In the 50 years since the land was donated to the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, it has existed as a natural sanctuary and diverse ecosystem. It is wonderfully overgrown with flowers, thickets, trees (including the endangered white oak and white ash trees) and communities of wildlife.

Now this neighborhood treasure is threatened. While prospective homeowners have been told for decades that this beautiful land would remain forever wild, the Diocese of Rochester is planning to sell the land to a local developer.

The proposed plan displaces wildlife by bulldozing habitat and paving wetlands to put in a road, single family homes and a retention pond. Neighbors are joining together in a grassroots effort to save the meadows and wetlands that are home to fox, deer, turkeys and over 41 other species of birds.

We believe the proposed development would:
-Destroy a rich ecosystem, including wetlands and the habitats of endangered native species.
-Increase pollution and reduce community safety. The planned retention pond is designed to slowly drain rainwater, snowmelt and road runoff (including road salt, motor oil and lawn chemicals) into neighboring yards. The presence of a retention pond will also create a drowning hazard for young children.
-Rob local children of protected outdoor space that has been shown to promote the highest level of intellectual development and learning.
-Be in opposition to the Town of Henrietta’s stated Comprehensive Plan. The Town's published plan promotes balanced development and preservation, protecting existing areas of biological diversity. The Town of Henrietta has even taken steps towards becoming recognized as an Audubon International Green Community.

We urge the Town of Henrietta to protect Beckwith Park by not allowing the developer access to the town storm sewer easement and by refusing to accept the proposed road as a public road.

In keeping with Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment, we urge the Diocese of Rochester to protect Beckwith Park through a conservation easement or by allowing Beckwith Park neighbors to purchase and similarly protect the land.

Please join us in keeping Beckwith Park wild.
Thank you for your support!