Location: Town of Webster, Monroe County
Size: 163.4 acres
Description: This Town of Webster preserve includes majestic old-growth forest, open field, and a small meadow. Maintained by the Friends of Webster Trails, a variety of trails offer beautiful views of grassland fields, wildflowers, and a spectacular old-growth forest. Hikers may see turkey, deer, and a variety of birds.
History: In 2006, Thomas and Georgia Gosnell donated a conservation easement on the Big Woods to Genesee Land Trust. They simultaneously donated the underlying land to the Town of Webster and sold the additional adjacent 94 acres to create the Gosnell Big Woods Preserve. Partners in the permanent protection of the larger parcel include the Town of Webster and the Trust for Public Land.
Trail Description: Walking trails have been established into the Big Woods, around the Big Field, and connecting to other Town of Webster trails. A parking lot is located at the corner of Vosburg and Drumm Roads. Trails begin at this point and lead into the Big Woods.
The Big Field Trail travels 1.2 miles around the perimeter of the field. Two-tenths of a mile north of the parking lot is the Big Woods Trail, a 0.7-mile (round trip out and back) hike through old-growth forest. A third trail, the Meadow Trail, heads east for 1/2-mile (roundtrip) loop through woods and lush meadow. Hiking connections to Whiting Road Nature Preserve and the Hojack Trail can be seen on the Friends of Webster Trails Website.
Getting There
Driving Directions: Take 104 East, exit at Bay Road. Go north (right) on Bay Road until it ends at Lake Road. Turn right onto Lake Road. Turn right onto Baker Road and follow to end. Turn left on Vosburg Road. At the curve where Vosburg turns into Drumm Road, the parking lot for the preserve is to the left.
Approximate Address of Parking: 674 Vosburg Road, Webster, NY
GPS coordinates: 43.242295,-77.489598
Photos by Nigel P. Kent and Norma Platt