Sprawl - MCWA, 2001-2006, undated

This collection consists of the papers of Rochester, New York based environmental activist, Hugh Mitchell. The materials date between 1926 and 2016 with a bulk of the materials dated between 1970 and 2014. The materials consist of newspaper articles, handwritten notes, correspondence, maps, flyers, meeting minutes, slides, a film reel, reports, and proposals.

This collection documents Hugh Mitchell’s involvement in the preservation of Pinnacle Hill Park and Genesee Valley Park. The collection documents the timeline and actions taken by both environmental activists and the Rochester City Council prior to construction of the “Outer Loop.” The “Outer Loop” was originally planned to cut directly through Genesee Valley Park. Environmentalists were trying to preserve Genesee Valley Park during the 1970’s from the construction of the “Outer Loop” as well as from potential sale and development of the Park by the University of Rochester.

The collection contains handwritten notes by Mitchell, news articles, regarding Pinnacle Hill Park and Genesee Valley Park, correspondence to and from City of Rochester, Federal Government, and New York State officials. It also includes Environmental Impact Surveys, reports from experts, and proposals. The collection also includes slides of Pinnacle Hill Park, a film reel by a Rochester Institute of Technology student regarding Genesee Valley Park and its preservation, and photographs of Genesee Valley Park in the 1970’s.

Additional materials accrued in 2019 include materials related to the preservation of Washington Grove, Hemlock and Canadice Lakes (1988-2010)and actions taken against the Monroe County Water Authority (2000-2014). Other accrued materials include records from diverse environmental actiions with which Mitchell was involved from 1970 to 2000. These include actions ranging from preservation work in Ellison Park to work on the environmental impact of Kodak Park.