Rochester Outer Loop Final Environmental Impact Statement, circa 1977

This series consists of correspondence, handwritten notes, articles, newspaper clippings, flyers, agendas, and meeting minutes for Hugh Mitchell's fight to save Genesee Valley Park. In 1965, the City of Rochester sold 37 acres of developed park land to the university of Rochester. In exchange, the City of Rochester purchased 180 acres of undeveloped, swampy park land. Environmental activists storngly opposed the sale stating that it was an unfair sale. The undeveloped land that was sold to the city would cost millions of dollars to develop. Activists also cited the loss of bike and walking paths, memorial trees, and developed land. Activists also opposed the construction of the "Outer Loop" through the Genesee Valley Park, thus losing more parkland. Environmental activists argued that a tunnel could be constructed under the park or that the "Outer Loop" could be moved to bypass the park. After an almost decade long fight, the city decided to construct the "Outer Loop" as an aquaduct. This kept precious park land and created minimal damage to the park.