Abraham Lincoln Park Trails
Description:
This is an undeveloped Monroe County Park. The trails begin at the end of park road that is off Empire Blvd. These trails follow the east side of Irondequoit Bay and offer the hiker trails that follow up and down the steep sides. The woods are of old, large Oak, Hemlock and Sugar Maple trees.
Location:
West end of Smith Road, off Empire Blvd., park in cul-de-sac on Smith Rd., walk down road to Bay
Hiking Time:
1 hour plus
Difficulty:
Steep hills, slippery
Length:
2 miles
Features:
Hiking, nature study, Bay canoeing, mature trees, quiet coves, good spring birding along north meadow, trail connects to the YMCA trail
Channing H. Philbrick Park Trail
Description:
This is one of Penfield's oldest parks and it follows Irondequoit Creek from just north of Linden Avenue. The creek drops 90 ft. in the next mile. Fifteen mills during the last one hundred and fifty years had been operating in this area. Some old mill foundations are still visible here. Conservation measures to control silt from the sand banks have been established along the west bank of the creek.
Location:
Off Rt. 441 in park along Irondequoit Creek, trail begins at the Trail sign, parking available
Hiking Time:
1 hour approximately, a turn-around trail
Difficulty:
Generally simple, narrow footpaths and steep, slippery, and rocky path in some areas.
Length:
Approximately 1 1/2 miles
Features:
Hiking, used by fishermen along creek, several waterfalls, quiet meadow on island, remains of old mills on banks of the creek are visible while hiking
Ellison Park South Entrance Trails
Description:
This trail begins on Penfield Road, just west of Gentle's Farm Market. It follows a wash down hill to Irondequoit Creek near the tennis courts. One branch of the trail, the yellow marked trail, leads up to an overlook of the gravel mining ponds at the east part of Ellison Park. This trail is also known as "Coyote Trail."
Location:
Western edge of town along Irondequoit Creek on south side of Blossom Rd., east of Spruce Shelter, parking available
Hiking Time:
2 hours
Difficulty:
Paths through moderate & steep areas
Length:
Approximately 1 mile
Features:
Hiking, x-country skiing, path along stream, gully south to Penfield Rd., overlooks Manitou Lake, canoeing to Bay
Harris Whalen Park Trails
Description:
The trails in this park are located on a drumlin. The land was a farm owned by the Penfield Town Supervisor James Harris during the Civil War. The trail passes the foundation of a 19th century sugar house that was operated by the Whalen family. This wooded trail is noted for its numerous spring wild flowers.
Location:
Access from park - across from Wegmans entrance on Rt. 441. Trail head and parking near water tower at top of hill.
Hiking Time:
1/2 hour on woodland area, may use intersecting trails for longer hike.
Difficulty:
Paths well made, some low hills.
Length:
Less than 1 mile, option to extend using several intersecting trails.
Features:
Hiking, x-country skiing, good spring birding, many wild flowers in May
Honey Creek Trail
Channing H. Philbrick Park
Penfield Town Park
See Map!
Description:
This trail has two starting points, one on Mott's Lane, on the west side of Five Mile Line Rd., and another on Five Mile Line, across from Grande Vie. The trail leads west then down the side of Irondequoit Creek near the south end of Philbrick Park.
Location:
West end of Motts Ln. or Five Mile Line Rd. opposite Grand Vie Senior Living Community
Hiking Time:
1/2 hour or more
Difficulty:
Easy paths, one hill to Channing H. Philbrick Park
Length:
1/2 mile
Features:
Trail connects the Penfield Four Corners to Channing H. Philbrick Park
Irondequoit Creek Panorama Plaza Trail
Description:
It goes under Panorama Trail road, past the Home Depot, then under the 441 Expressway and connects to the Linear Trail in Philbrick Park. Good fishing spots along this trail. This area was noted for the fifteen mills that once operated along this waterway.
Location:
Behind Tops Market at Panorama Plaza, look for trailhead kiosk. Parking behind Panorama Plaza.
Hiking Time:
Approximately one hour (a turn-around trail).
Difficulty:
Paths are well made with stonedust. Wheelchair accessible.
Length:
One mile.
Features:
Trail begins near confluence of Allens Creek and Irondequoit Creek, runs along Irondequoit Creek and passes under Rt. 441 to connect to Channing H. Philbrick Park.
Irondequoit Creek Waterway
Description:
The Creek itself is a Penfield trail used by canoes and kayaks.
Location:
Irondequoit Creek
By:
Canoe or Kayak, follow creek
Start:
At LaSalle's Landing Park off Empire Blvd. or at Ellison Park
Length:
2 miles
Features:
LaSalle's Landing and cattail marshes
Rifle Range Trail
- Lucien Morin Park
- Monroe County Park
- See Map!
Description:
The County of Monroe purchased the last part of the private land adjacent to Ellison Park to complete this park land. The trails start just east of Irondequoit Creek on Empire Blvd. The trails pass the remains of two pits used for target practice for the 108th Infantry of G Company of the National Guard. They were stationed at the East Main Street Armory in Rochester. The New York State Police would also do some shooting there. The main house burned down in the 1960s, but a gazebo still remains. Officers would station themselves there to watch the practicing. The trail follows the east side of Irondequoit Creek, through climatic woods of Oak and Sassafrass trees, all the way to Browncroft Blvd. and the main part of Ellison Park. This part of the trail is often called the Irondequoit Creek Wetlands East Trail.
Location:
South side of Empire Blvd., just east of Irondequoit Creek
Hiking Time:
2 hours
Difficulty:
Hills and narrow trail, slippery when wet
Length:
Up to 2 miles
Features:
Remains of rifle target pits and views of Irondequoit Flowlands
Rothfuss Park Trail & QR F.I.T Trail
Description: 69 acres of open land with rectangular playing fields, picnic pavilions and 2 playgrounds. Adjacent to Thousand Acre Swamp.
Location: 1648 Five Mile Line Road
Difficulty: Easy, flat walking paths
Length: 1 1/4 mile perimeter loop trail
Features: open space walking path around outside of athletic fields, along the edge of the Nature Conservancy's Thousand Acre Swamp. Also enjoy the QR F.I.T. Trail. Bring your smart phone and access fitness routines while you walk or jog around field #1.
Schaufelberger Park/Historic Sidewalk Trail
Penfield Town Park
See Map!
Description:
Schaufelberger is a small park at the junction of Penfield Road and Five Mile Line Road. This park is used as a meeting location to start short history walks to tell about life in early Penfield. It is in walking distance of Penfield's first library and several early churches, as well as the publishing building of an early newspaper. Daniel Penfield's home is located just west of this park.
Location:
Park at public parking lot behind the Penfield Fire Station on Five Mile Line Rd.. Cross the street to visit Schaufelberger Park...the former site of a service station and auto dealer.
Hiking Time:
Less than one hour.
Difficulty:
Mostly level streets and sidewalks.
Length:
.7 miles
Features:
Walk north from Schaufelberger Park to Liberty Street. Turn west and the first house you pass on the south side of the street was Penfield's first library. Continue west along Liberty Street and past many early homes and an early cemetary. Turn east on Penfield Road and look for a large yellow house with a large porch on the north side of the road...this was Daniel Penfield's home.
Sherwood Fields Park
Description: 82 acres of meadows, forested and shrub wetlands, streams and wildlife with an integrated multi-use trail system.
Location: 2514 Penfield Road, next to East Penfield Fire Hall. Parking lot entrance is off fire hall driveway.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2 mi.
Features: Primary and secondary loops throughout the park. Primary trails are handicap accessible, made of crushed stone and re-purposed millings from Monroe County and town road projects. The Don Cranson Bridge crosses Commission Ditch
Tot Trail
Description:
The Town of Penfield Tot Trail is a trail designed for the Town of Penfeld's youngest members. The trail is specifically designed for young children ages 2-5 years old. The trail was made possible by a grant the town recieved from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. The Tot Trail promotes healthy living and wellness at a young age.
Location:
The Tot Trail is located within Veterans' Memorial Park behind the Penfield Town Hall. The trail is located west of the tennis courts near the Dolomite Lodge.
Difficulty:
Easy, the trail is paved and playground features are located right along the trail.
Length:
The Tot Trail is approximately 300' long.
Features:
There are four play stations located along the trail designed to allow young children to play and gain strength, balance, and coordination. The four play stations include monkey bars, curved balance beams, pod toad stools, and a rock bluff. All play equipment was selected specifically for children ages 2-5 so the size and type of equipment is suitable for smaller children. There is also a butterfly garden as part of the trail system that welcomes all ages. Plantings were selected based on plants that will attract butterflies.
Thousand Acre Swamp
- Privately Owned Nature Preserve
- The Nature Conservancy
- See Map!
Description:
This area is owned by the Nature Conservancy. It has about two miles of public trails that begin at a parking lot off Jackson Rd., just west of Penfield Center Rd. The trails are raised on boards in wet areas. The Swamp is noted for the colorful birds that nest there in the spring. The Thousand Acre Swamp Society offers numerous guided walks throughout the year.
Location:
Jackson Rd. between Atlantic Ave. and Plank Rd.
Difficulty:
Easy trails, may be wet
Length:
Variable, trail guides at kiosk
Features:
Hiking, nature study
Restrictions:
No bikes, dogs, horses, or motorized vehicles; picking of plant material prohibited. For more information, please call (585) 546-8030 x7934.
Veterans' Memorial Park Nature Trail
Description:
This park was purchased from Joseph DiMaggio in 1980 for a town park. In 1990 additional land was purchased from Joseph Falbo to increase the size. Town Supervisor Don Mack got a grant from the NYS Environmental Quality Bond Act and had the Environmental Design and Research Landscape Architecture Engineering, PC EDR design the Town Hall Park. Supervisor John Nolan broke ground on the park and the park was dedicated in 1995. There are two main trails, one a fitness trail and one a nature trail that goes through several acres of woods.
Location:
Geographic center of town, access from Atlantic Ave. and Jackson Rd., parking available
Hiking Time:
1/2 hour or more
Difficulty:
Easy paths, majority is paved
Length:
Less than one mile, but can use intersecting trails for longer hike.
Features:
Hiking, x-country skiing, May wildflowers, good spring birding, jogging, mature wooded area with stream and meadow-like portions of trails, Hipp Brook, pond next to Donald Mack Rock Garden.
Wild Iris Path
- Hipp Brook Preserve
- Privately Owned Nature Preserve
- Genesee Land Trust
- See Map!
Description:
This area and trail is owned by the Genesee Land Trust. This trail starts at the west end of Brougham Dr., off Jackson Rd. Ext. The trails is very short and level, going through thick woods of Buckthorn trees.
Location:
West end of Coachman Dr. and Brougham Dr.
Hiking Time:
Under 1 hour
Difficulty:
Easy trails, may be wet
Features:
Nature study, shrubs
