This Passport: Revised October 20, 2017, EAM #161922 Discovering the Trails of Penfield, NY
The Town of Penfield is fortunate to have a wide variety of natural resources which make for many unique and picturesque trails. We hope you will enjoy and protect our environment. Always be safe and please leave the trails the same way you found them. The Penfield Trails Committee is a volunteer group and functions as part of the Town of Penfield. Their trail stewardship is widely recognized and greatly appreciated. Please see our website (www.penfieldrec.org) if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information concerning this dedicated group. Special Thanks to: Genesee Land Trust Monroe County Parks Department Penfield Trails Committee Nature Conservancy 3
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Abraham Lincoln Park Location: West end of Smith Road, off Empire Blvd. Park in cul-de-sac on Smith Rd., walk down road to Bay. Hiking Time: One hour plus Difficulty: Steep hills, slippery when wet Length: Two miles Features: Hiking, nature study, Bay canoeing, mature trees, quiet coves, good spring birding along north meadow and trail connects to the YMCA trail. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 7
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Channing H. Philbrick Park Trail Location: Off Rt. 441 in Park along Irondequoit Creek, trail begins at the Trail sign. Parking available. Hiking Time: Approximately one hour, 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. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 9
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Ellison Park South Location: On Penfield Road, 1/4 mile west of Gentle s Farm Market. Park in Monroe County Ellison Park trailhead parking lot. Hiking Time: Up to 2 hours Difficulty: Paths through moderate and steep areas Length: Approximately one mile Features: Hiking, path along stream, Yellow Trail overlooks Manitou Lake, White Trail ends at Irondequoit Creek. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 11
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Harris Whalen Park Location: Access to Park - across from Wegmans entrance on Rt. 441. Trailhead and parking near water tower at top of hill, and new trail head and parking on Route 250. 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 one mile, option to extend using several intersecting trails. Features: Hiking, x-country-skiing, good spring birding, many wildflowers. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 13
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Honey Creek Trail Location: West end of Motts Lane or Five Mile Line Rd. opposite Grand Vie Senior Living Community. Parking available in public lot on the east side of Five Mile Line Rd. Look for the Honey Creek Trail sign at trailhead. Hiking Time: 1/2 hour or more Difficulty: Easy paths, one hill to Channing H. Philbrick Park. Length: 1/2 mile Features: Trail connects Penfield Four Corners to Channing H. Philbrick Park. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 15
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Irondequoit Creek Panorama Plaza Trail Panorama Valley Park 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: Picnic pavilion and canoe/kayak launch. 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. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 17
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Rifle Range Trail Location: South side of Empire Blvd. just east of Irondequoit Creek. Park in Monroe County Wetlands Center parking lot. Hiking Time: Two hours Difficulty: Hills and narrow trail, slippery when wet Length: Up to two miles Features: Remains of rifle target pits and views of Irondequoit wetlands. Many wildflowers and ferns. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 19
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Rothfuss Park & QR F.I.T. Trail Location: 1648 Five Mile Line Road Hiking Time: 20 minutes Difficulty: Easy flat walking path 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. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 21
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Sherwood Fields Location: 2514 Penfield Road, next to East Penfield Fire Hall. Parking lot entrance is off fire hall driveway. Hiking Time: One hour plus Difficulty: Easy Length: Up to two miles Features: Primary trails are handicapped accessible, made of crushed stone and re-purposed millings from Monroe County and town road projects. Pathways that are fallow field thickets and shrubs. Bird watching. The Don Cranson Bridge crosses Commission Ditch. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 23
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Sidewalk Trail Location: Park at the public lot behind the Penfield Fire Hall on Five Mile Line Rd. Start by walking south to the Four Corners; turn east onto Penfield Road, walk to Baird Rd.; walk north to Whalen Road; turn west and walk to Five Mile Line Road; turn south and return to parking lot. Hiking Time: Under one hour Difficulty: Mostly level sidewalks, some slight hills Length: 2.8 miles Features: Wheelchair accessible, walk through the Four Corners and by the Penfield Community Center. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 25
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Historic Sidewalk Trail Location: Park at the public lot behind the Penfield Fire Hall on Five Mile Line Rd. Cross the street to visit Schaufelberger Park...the former site of a service station and auto dealer. Walk north to Liberty Street. Turn west and the first house you pass on the south side was Penfield s first library. Continue west along Liberty Street and past many early homes in the town and past an early cemetery. Turn east on Penfield Road and look for a large yellow house with a large porch...this was Daniel Penfield s home. Hiking Time: Under one hour Difficulty: Mostly level streets and sidewalks Length:.7 miles Features: Wheelchair accessible, plenty of opportunities to stop for coffee, a cold drink, or lunch. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 27
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Thousand Acre Swamp Location: Jackson Road between Atlantic Avenue and Plank Road. Hiking Time: Up to two hours Difficulty: Easy trails, may be wet Length: Variable, trail guides at kiosk Features: Hiking, nature study, Deer Run is wheelchair accessible to the boardwalk Restrictions: No bikes, dogs, horses or motorized vehicles; picking of plant material prohibited. For more information, please call 385-3907. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 29
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Veterans Memorial Park Sidewalk Trail Location: Geographic center of town, access from Atlantic Ave. and Jackson Rd. Parking available. Hiking Time: 1/2 hour or more Difficulty: Easy, paved paths Length: Less than one mile, but can use intersecting trails for longer hike. Features: Hiking, x-country skiing, wild flowers, good spring birding, jogging, mature wooded area with stream and meadow-like portions of trails, Hipp Brook, pond next to Donald Mack Rock Garden. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 31
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Veterans Memorial Park Nature Trail Location: Geographic center of town, access from Atlantic Ave. and Jackson Rd. Parking available. Hiking Time: 1/2 hour or more Difficulty: Easy paths Length: Less than one mile, but can use intersecting trails for longer hike. Features: Hiking, x-country skiing, wild flowers, good spring birding, exercise stations and jogging, mature wooded area with stream and meadow-like portions of trails, Hipp Brook, pond next to Donald Mack Rock Garden. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 33
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Veterans Memorial Park Tot Trail Location: Jackson Road between Atlantic Avenue and Plank Road. Trail is located behind tennis courts, behind restrooms. Description: This trail is designed for children ages 2-5. The trail was made possible by a grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. Difficulty: Easy, the trail is paved and playground features are located right along the trail. Length: Approximately 300 long Features: Four play stations located along the trail designed to allow young children to play and gain strength, balance, and coordination: monkey bars, curved balance beams, pod toad stools, and a rock bluff. Butterfly garden. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 35
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Wild Iris Path Location: In the Genesee Land Trust s Hipp Brook Preserve. The entrance is at the western end of Brougham Drive. Hiking Time: Under one hour Difficulty: Easy trails, boardwalks, back section often wet. Length: Approximately 1/2 mile Features: The Preserve is a Class I wetland with narrow leaf cattails, a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, birds and butterflies. MAKE TRAIL MARKER RUBBING HERE 37
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