Volunteer Profile: April Foreman, Lakeview Mall
Neighbors help restore Mary Stevenson Memorial on Lakeview Mall
Rochester Olmsted Parks Alliance (ROPA) is an alliance of those who care about and care for Olmsted-designed green spaces. We are fortunate that April, a recent arrival to Rochester, is one of those people.
What attracted you to Rochester and especially Lakeview Mall?
We bought our home during COVID, and our first in-person visit was move-in day. I still remember that first drive down the boulevard in the fall—the colors were stunning, and I immediately knew this place was special. I felt incredibly lucky to live here before I even understood its history.
Were you aware of the Olmsted connection to the mall and to Rochester when you moved here?
Not at first! The former owner, Tom Fox, was passionate about it and kindly left literature for us as a welcome gift. That sparked my curiosity, and within two weeks, I took a local architectural walking tour, only to find my home was featured on it! From there, I learned much more about the rich history of the area.
What prompted you to take action to improve the mall and Maplewood Park?
Initially, I noticed the litter, but what truly moved me to action was meeting my wonderful neighbors, Bonnie Huseby and Abbie Bradford. Because of COVID, it took two years before I really got to know them, but their passion for making a difference was contagious.
We started small—aligning our concerns with the Rochester Mayor’s City Plan and organizing a neighborhood cleanup day (with pizza, of course). That momentum led to deeper engagement with the city, local forestry initiatives, and historical preservation efforts.
We uncovered lost Olmsted blueprints, digitized them using AI, and began advocating for responsible tree maintenance and historical restoration. Along the way, we built relationships with city officials, schools, local park advocates, and neighborhood volunteers.
What kinds of actions/events have been successful?
Hosting community cleanups, which have led to visible improvements in the area.
Restoring the plinths and researching the historic landscape architecture of the mall.
Engaging the City Forester, local urban forestry groups, and neighborhood schools.
Digitizing and sharing historical photos and plans with city officials and advocates.
Raising awareness about tree maintenance and historical preservation funding.
Strengthening community bonds—families and children are walking the boulevard more, and there’s noticeably less litter and debris.
One of the most meaningful projects was the restoration of Mary Stevenson’s memorial and another flower bed that had fallen into neglect. (Mary Stevenson, who died in 1915, was an icon of Rochester’s NW.) Working with my neighbors, we reached out to the City Forester, who provided mulch, and I bought supplies to help restore the area. A neighbor contacted Mary’s family, and together over several weekends, we cleaned and revitalized the memorial garden.
As part of this effort, we also restored two remarkable sculptures by the late John Wilson.
Who was John Wilson?
John Wilson, , a former neighbor and a highly respected litigator, artist, and environmental advocate, was a visionary who shaped environmental law in New York. In the 1980s, he successfully challenged a case under New York’s newly established environmental impact laws, helping to create legal protections that endure today. He was retained by multiple counties to guide the development of waste management facilities and was known as the lawyer of choice for municipalities navigating large-scale projects. Beyond his legal brilliance, Wilson was a gifted writer, artist, and mentor. His legacy is so impactful that Judge Paul Warren, in one of his published rulings, honored him with a footnote, calling him: "A talented litigator, accomplished artist, writer, and chef." Restoring these sculptures in his memory became a way for our neighborhood to honor both his environmental contributions and his artistic legacy, reminding us all that these parks and spaces are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
How has this effort impacted you?
Ultimately, why do I do this? Because contributing to something beautiful and lasting is deeply rewarding. I work in suicide prevention, and being connected to these parks and this community is life-affirming and healing. I love my neighbors, and I feel joy every day in this place we all share.
April and her neighbors have recently applied for a Neighbors in Action Grant from the City of Rochester. If successful the grant will fund tree pruning and garden planting. We wish them luck.