About Corn Hill Waterfront and Navigation Foundation
Founded in 1991, Corn Hill Navigation operates two tour vessels, on the Erie Canal at Schoen Place in the Town of Pittsford. Its cruises along the Erie Canal and the Genesee River provide unique insight into the region’s history, culture and distinctive biodiversity. Its mission is to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in on-the-water experiential learning and foster the preservation and improvement of the Erie Canal and Genesee River for future generations. Hundreds of thousands of people have come from all 50 states and more than 50 countries, including tens of thousands of students from schools across the Rochester and Finger Lakes Region, to experience the Erie Canal and Genesee River aboard a Corn Hill Navigation vessel. Ridership has grown 40 percent over the past ten years.
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Executive Committee
Lisa Wing, Ph.D., Chair
Retired founder and school leader of Genesee Community Charter School, housed on the campus of Rochester Museum and Science Center; 35 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, school leadership, and educational consulting.David Carpenter, Vice Chair, Hospitality and Community Relations
Director of Creative Operations, Gallina Development Corp. Retired as Director of Catering Sales for Floreano Convention Center after 30 years. Inducted into the International Society of Gastronomes as Maitre de Table Hotelier; SUNY Delhi hotel program student advisory board; student mentor for Rochester Institute of Technology hospitality program.Julia Curtis, Vice-Chair, Development
Certified Fund-Raising Executive with seven years of experience in development and fundraising.Thomas Hack, P.E., Treasurer
Retired Managing Engineer, City of Rochester. Former Senior Project Manager at Barton and Loguidice, P.C. More than 40 years of extensive experience in the management, administration, financing, directing, planning, designing and construction of civil engineering projects; Board Treasurer of American Society of Civil Engineers.Patricia Donoghue, Immediate Past Chair
Retired vice president of communications and community affairs at Visit Rochester; former senior development officer at University of Rochester Medical Center; Board Secretary of International Sister Cities of Rochester.Frances Gotcsik, At-Large Member
Retired Director of Programs & Policy, Parks and Trails New York. More than 30 years of nonprofit and local government experience, including Center for Environmental Information, Friends of Genesee Valley Greenway, and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.Members
Roger Brown
More than 45 years of experience as an architect, with his own firm, Brown and Gade, and as associate partner with Barkstrom and LaCroix Architects; founding member of the Community Design Center of Rochester, member of City of Rochester Project Review Committee.Lynn Buehlman
Owner and president, Lynn Buehlman Design; more than 50 years of design experience with Case Hoyt, Buckett Associates, and Lynn Buehlman Design.Kimberly Crevelling
Marketing Manager of EFPR Group, LLP; more than 12 years of marketing experience in the nonprofit and financial services sectors.Ashley Fico, Ph.D.
Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of InnoQuests. 15 years of experience as an academic instructing courses in business, communication, and public health. Experienced grant writer and researcher.Frederic Folsom
More than 25 years of experience as a professional vessel captain; currently holds a United States Coast Guard 500-ton Oceans Master license; previously provided financial services advising small business owners.Henry McCartney
Following a lengthy career in historic preservation, retired following service as executive director of Landmark Society of Western New York and Preservation Buffalo Niagara, board member and treasurer of Corn Hill Neighbors Association and Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery.Sandra SimpsonRetired educator as a teacher, principal and BOCES District Superintendent. Past- President of the School Administrators Association of NYS. Founding member of the Erie Canal School Boat Foundation and Southern Westchester Education Foundation. Vice President of Sunset House comfort care home. Member of the Rochester Yacht Club. Member of the Rochester Woman’s Giving Circle under the Rochester Area Community Foundation. -
Patrick Russell-Walsh, Executive Director
Executive Director since March 2023. Holder of a 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard Master of Vessels license with extensive NYC tour boat experience, real estate attorney in NYC metropolitan area, J.D. from New York Law School and M.S. in environmental science from Pace University; former board member of the Chester Land Trust, Chester Leadership Fund, and Southwestern Westchester BOCES Education Foundation, Inc.Laura Mack, Director of Operations
A local Rochesterian, Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Concentration in Childhood/Special Education from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY; two term Jesuit Volunteer/Americorps Alumnae; Visit Rochester Visitor Industry Council Steering Committee Member for 25/26 term and current CHN Inclusion Point of Contact
About Sam Patch
The Sam Patch replica 1800’s packet boat offers historical, educational, and entertaining cruises from Schoen Place in the Port of Pittsford. Launched in 1991, the boat’s mission is to increase awareness for Rochester’s waterways through guided tours along the Erie Canal, educating students, and hosting events that contribute to the region’s cultural landscape and tourism. Onboard amenities include drinks, snacks and restroom. Cruises depart daily from Schoen Place in Pittsford. Annually, over 11,000 people from all 50 states and more than 30 countries cruise on the Erie Canal on the Sam Patch, honoring the 19th-century mill worker who gained fame as America’s first daredevil by leaping off waterfalls, including Rochester’s High Falls.
About Riverie
Launched in May 2023, Riverie, incorporating River and Erie (Canal), offers a wide array of cruises and on-the-water STEM-based experiential learning for thousands of students annually. It is available for private charters and themed cruises.
Corn Hill Navigation Waterfront Center at the City of Rochester Downtown Harbor
Corn Hill Navigation Waterfront Center welcomes recreational boaters to downtown Rochester at Corn Hill Landing. The 2,200 square feet multi-use facility opens May 19 Wednesdays through Sundays. It offers a river-view patio and boater services, including harbormaster assistance, over 900 feet of dockage with an average water depth of four to six feet, water and electric hookups, sewage pump-out facilities, restrooms and showers. The overnight dockage fee and pump-out service both cost $5.
The center is also the headquarters and the ticket office for Corn Hill Navigation. Visitors can get tourism information and explore educational displays on the Erie Canal and Genesee River. Space is also available for educational programs, community events, meetings and social gatherings.