He and his friend George Eastman saw a need for a public park in the area, and towards this end, bought a number of farms around the Durand property.

[3] Opened in 1912 with private funds provided by Alexander B. Lamberton, then head of the parks commission, the zoo closed in 1962.

[3] In 1961, the City of Rochester made a 99-year agreement with the County of Monroe to maintain, administer and regulate Durand-Eastman Park.

[4] In 2001, the City of Rochester sold the 90.9 acres (36.8 ha) along the western edge of Durand-Eastman Park, commonly known as Camp Eastman, to the Town of Irondequoit.

[8] Deer, raccoon, groundhogs, eastern gray squirrels, turkey, and chipmunks are common animals in the park.

In May 2007, the beach opened for the second straight season with a slightly larger swimming area, extending an additional 25 yards (23 m) west.