Farming roots and outdoor recreation define Riga’s lifestyle
Located 18 miles southwest of Rochester, Riga offers small-town living removed from big-city hustle. Founded in 1808 as an agricultural hub, crop fields still fill much of the Monroe County community. “It’s a very small farming community," says Sandy Maluta, a Realtor with Howard Hanna who has 17 years of experience across the Rochester Metro Area. “A lot of people have lived there for many years.” Beyond its laid-back feel, the Monroe County community offers abundant outdoor recreation. It also includes the village of Churchville, providing quick access to local restaurants and daily comforts.
Colonial, ranch and New Traditional-style homes fill the community
Riga’s housing market primarily consists of single-family homes. These range from mid-19th-century Colonial and 20th-century ranch styles to New Traditional styles built over the past 25 years. Homes near downtown Churchville sit along tree-lined streets, close together on quarter-acre lots. In the area’s rural outskirts, homes tend to sit farther back from the road, and back up to crop fields and pockets of forest. In these portions, properties can reach up to 8 acres. Depending on size and condition, most homes sell between $150,000 and $500,000.
Churchville-Chili Senior High School offers dual-credit courses
Several school districts serve the community; however, most students attend Churchville-Chili Central School District, which earns a B from Niche. Churchville Elementary School and Churchville-Chili Middle School also earn B ratings. Churchville-Chili Senior High School scores a B-plus. The high school partners with nearby colleges, including Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport, to offer dual-credit courses.
Outdoor fun includes kayaking, ice skating and trips to Lake Ontario
Despite its rural location, Riga offers numerous spots for organized recreation. Churchville Park is the area’s largest, stretching across 742 acres. The park includes a playground, 27 holes of golf and an ice skating rink in the winter. Visitors can also drop in a small boat or kayak from Churchville Park Boat Launch onto Black Creek, which teems with largemouth bass, northern pike, and other species for fishing. Locals also spend time on the water at Churchville Dam or Lake Ontario. Ontario Beach Park is a popular destination for sunbathing and swimming, and several marinas along the adjoining Genesee River offer boat rentals. The community is also home to the West Shore Trail’s starting point, which offers more than 15 miles of gravel pathway for hikers and bicyclists.
Residents dine in Downtown Churchville and shop in Brockport
Downtown Churchville offers a handful of locally owned restaurants. The Johnson House is a dimly lit, upscale steakhouse that hosts occasional live piano music. “There are also several diners and breakfast spots to go to,” Maluta says. Churchville Grill serves typical American fare, and Spoonful of Sugar Sweets sells fresh-baked cookies and cupcakes. ANG Market for groceries and Dollar General cover essentials in town. “Most people will go to Chili or Brockport for big-box shopping,” Maluta says. Brockport is 14 miles northwest and has a Wegmans for a larger grocery selection, alongside national retailers like Walmart Supercenter and T.J. Maxx.
Locals convene at Churchville-Riga SummerFest
Churchville-Riga SummerFest brings neighbors together in mid-August. Local bands perform at the annual event, which also includes local food and craft vendors, yard games and other activities. The festivities conclude with a grand fireworks display after sunset.
Commuters benefit from multiple highway connections
State Route 36 is the area’s main north-south throughway, supporting travel across the region. Interstate 490 also passes through the community, running northeast into Rochester, which is home to Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport and Strong Memorial Hospital. Interstate 90 is accessible just south of the area, connecting residents to Buffalo, 78 miles southwest.
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Written By
Matthew Simmons
