Being outside during every season has so many benefits for our health and wellbeing. Research shows being in cold air can help reduce stress by increasing endorphins (mood-boosting hormones). Dress for the weather, pack a thermos or water bottle, and enjoy the below winter adventures recommended by members of Genesee Land Trust’s staff and board.
Winter Adventure Recommendations:
Board member Mark Cronin loves visiting Mendon Ponds Park (Pittsford) to go cross country skiing. If you get there on a weekend morning right after the sun rises there’s not many people around… you’ll likely see more deer than people. The park is so serene at that hour - cold but beautiful and with the freshness and exciting expectation that a new day brings. All you hear is your skis cutting through the snow and your breath. You can go a long way in a short time, and as you pass through the trail you pass several spots that bring back memories from the past, such as the hills you used to sled on as a child and areas you’ve had picnics at. It’s invigorating, and an absolutely delightful way to begin the day! (Photos below by Day Trips Around Rochester.)
Will Macaluso, Preserve Manager, likes visiting Northampton Park (Spencerport) when there's snow for a short, easy cross-country ski loop. Or bring a sled and visit the sledding hill. If the natural snow is lacking, laps on the tow rope hill are a great way to practice or learn to downhill ski or snowboard.
Mary Hadley, Board President, finds peace and joy walking along the diverse trails at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve (Hilton) . I love to see and hear the many varieties of swallows and hawks along with blue birds and so many more birds. The preserve gives me the opportunity to see water-loving animals around and in the pond and creek. And I can enjoy shade in the forest area or sun in the meadows. So much to experience in one place!
Greg Lawrence, Board member, also loves hiking Salmon Creek Nature Preserve in the winter, looking for Northern Harriers, Northern Shrikes, Horned Larks, and other wintering field birds.
Larissa Lalka, Database and Administrative Assistant, loves exploring places to snowshoe (when there is snow). One of her favorite places to visit is Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve (Macedon) for its beauty and serenity.
Board member Mindy MacLaren enjoys visiting Irene Gossin Nature Preserve (Penfield). It’s peaceful and quiet, home to all kinds of wildlife, even though it is surrounded by houses and a busy road. It’s easy to leave your cares in the parking lot and lose yourself in nature there for a little while.
Kevin Farrell, Director of Conservation Programs, enjoys looking for ducks in the winter on the ponds at Durand Eastman Park and on Lake Ontario from the Irondequoit Bay Outlet Pier. On his last visit to these two spots, he got some great views (and pics, below) of long-tailed ducks, hooded mergansers, black ducks, and scaup.
Jean McCreary, a long-time Board member, loves walking along the Auburn Trail in Victor and connecting with Lehigh Crossing Park at the juncture of three former railroad multi-use trails. The parkland has a variety of habitats, including wetlands, woodland, open field, and a tributary of Irondequoit Creek which are home to a variety of birds, waterfowl, and mammals.
Sarah Studwell, a Board member, likes to visit Highland Park close to her Rochester home. Entering the park just South of Lamberton Conservatory, she enjoys strolling through the Poet's Garden and dusting off snow to read Shakespear's words on the benches before walking deeper to visit her favorite Sycamore trees. (Photo by Day Trips Around Rochester)
Elliotte Bowerman, Director of Communications, likes visiting Corbett’s Glen Nature Park (Brighton) when icicles decorate the edges of Allen’s Creek and snow crunches under foot. The steep dip in the trail from the main parking lot to the meadow can get slippery – sometimes they scoot down for fun.
