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Green and Round Lake, also known as the Green Lakes, are located about three miles northeast of Fayetteville. They are two ofï¿½ the very few meromictic lakes in the world (the water does not completely turn over), and have been a popular area to visit for more than a century.

Although already a tourist attraction, in June 1879 two recreation areas were developed on privately-held land. These included a boating operation on the Wilcox property at the west side of Green Lake, and Tremain Park on the east side, with reception cottage, recreation rooms and a large dancing floor. A dock, picnic tables, and stables followed, and at a later date a merry-go-round and bandstand were installed. Although it initially was a source of "considerable complaint" that men and boys were permitted to bathe at Tremain Park "at hours when the exposure is very offensive to visitors," ("Weekly Recorder," July 24, 1879), the park gained in popularity. Steamboats plied the Erie Canal from Syracuse with regular stops along the way to bring school clubs, Sunday school classes and other groups to Green Lake landing. At times these groups were entertained enroute by the Fayetteville cornet band. In June 1880, the steamer M. S. Price left Syracuse and arrived at the landing in about two hours where its party took their tin pails, a cook stove, tea kettle and other paraphernalia to the picnic area, ate chicken pie, biscuits, and fresh strawberries, then topped off the occasion with an after-dinner rowboat ride at $.25 an hour.

In 1928, the New York State Parks Commission purchased its initial 500 acres, and added to its holdings at a later date. Presently Green Lake Park contains a swimming area and also has golfing, boating, fishing, and picnic facilities. Camping sites and numerous hiking trails are also available.

Round Lake and Green Lake are connected by a small stream, and for centuries have elicited considerable geological interest. Round Lake has since become a Registered Natural Landmark of the U. S. National Park Service.

The Gardner-Pierson, Tremain families lived farther east on E. Genesee. Tremain owned a piece of land extending from E. Genesee, north to the Erie Canal, taking in part of the land on the east side of lower Green Lake. The property on the lake was known as Tremain Park, a well-known picnic ground in early years. The Park, bordering on the canal, was the site of many farmers' annual picnics, from the town of Manlius. Packet boats transported picnickers to the park, also barrels of beverages for those who imbibed. There was an open-air pavilion for dancing, a small restaurant with bar room, large ice house, picnic tables and a community stove where one could make coffee or warm up a picnic dinner. There was also a water pump and hitchracks for horses. The outlet of Green lake flowed through a culvert under the Erie Canal. There were rowboats for rent. At one time, for entertainment, a man walked a tight wire across the lake. Another time, a balloon ascension was made. Later, Truman Hildreth operated the park. He was succeeded by John Gaugel, who leased the picnic ground for a year or two. Among the descendants of the Collin family, Fred T. Pierson became a widely known Rochester lawyer. Robert Pierson gained distinction in the United States Army during the first World War.

CREDIT: Submitted by Kathy Crowell