Upper Monroe

In 1840, C.F Crosman founded the Crosman Seed House at 901 Monroe Avenue. By 1890 it was one of the largest seed houses in the world encompassing over 1,200 acres. Until it was sold in 1925, the Crosman Seed Company defined the Upper Monroe Neighborhood. However, its legacy still lives today in the pride that Upper Monroe homeowners take in their yards and gardens and the affinity that residents feel toward their parks and open spaces.

Cobbs Hill Park, with its beautiful reservoir, tennis courts and athletic fields, forms the southeastern boundary of this neighborhood. Highland Park, world renown for its annual Lilac Festival, also is within walking distance. Pinnacle Hill, a part of the "emerald necklace" of parks ringing the area enhances the Upper Monroe neighborhood, allowing residents to enjoy many species of wildlife not often found in an urban setting.

Upper Monroe is located less than one and one-half miles from downtown. Upper residents can walk to the popular East End Festival, or to the Corn Hill or Park Avenue festivals. They also can walk to GeVa Theatre or the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Without leaving the neighborhood, residents can also walk to the public library, the YMCA and 28 neighborhood-friendly businesses as well as many other businesses located on eclectic Monroe Avenue.

Upper Monroe's greatest asset, however, is its sense of community. They enjoy the "connectivity" that city living offers, holding block parties and "meet your neighbor" nights. They visit on each other's porches while neighborhood children sell lemonade and play flashlight tag. Upper Monroe encompasses 17 streets with 1400 households and approximately 3300 residents. They take pride in the special character of their neighborhood which defines all that is best about city living.

The Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association (UMNA) is a not-for-profit advocacy group representing the 3300 residents and property owners of the Upper Monroe neighborhood. Established in 1988, our goals are to ascertain the needs and concerns of the neighborhood, provide a forum which focuses on those needs and concerns, and serve as a vehicle to take positive action to address those needs and concerns. If community spirit and activism are facets of City Living which attract you - Upper Monroe is a neighborhood for you to consider.