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Few cities in the Country have the great variety of places to picnic that you'll find in Rochester, NY. So far our tour of places to picnic in Rochester has taken us to Seneca Park, Charlotte Beach, Hamlin Beach and Webster Park. In this third and final article, I'll tell you about two more of my favorite parks in Rochester; Durand Eastman Park and Powder Mills Park.
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While Durand Eastman Park is located only a few miles from Ontario Beach, and they both have Lake Ontario swimming beaches, the character of the two parks couldn't be any different. While Ontario Beach borders the Port of Rochester and the busy Lake Avenue recreation area, Durand Eastman feels like it's out in the country. Durand has three relatively easy hiking trails where you can see the best of what Mother Nature has to offer. There are many kinds of plant life including wildflowers, trees, shrubs and aquatic plants. If you're lucky, you'll also see several different kinds of birds and small mammals. If you're really lucky, you might spot a deer or two along the way. Eastman Lake is a great place to take your kids fishing for sunfish, bluegills and other panfish. The trails are also good for cross-country skiing during the winter months.
Durand Eastman Park is also home to an 18 hole championship golf course designed by the great Robert Trent Jones. Opened in 1935, the course was very nicely redone in the 1970s and again in 1997. When I first played there, the course was very strangely broken into 10 and eight holes sides instead of the usual nine and nine. That was fixed during the 1970's renovation. The hilly course plays to a par of 70 and has a creek that comes into play on nine holes. Believe it or not, $16.00 will still buy you 18 holes during the week and the price is only $17.00 on Saturday and Sunday. Durand Eastman is an up and down course so you should consider taking a cart.
The park has plenty of picnic facilities like tables, grills and pavilions. Your kids will enjoy the well equipped playground. You can bring your dog to Durand Eastman Park as long as you keep him on his leash. The park is a carry in - carry out facility so don't forget to bring a garbage bag or two. If you'd like to be even more environmentally friendly, carry a picnic backpack with resuable amenities like glasses, plates, napkins and silverware.
Are you looking for a park with some good trout fishing? If you said yes then you should picnic at Powder Mills Park in suburban Pittsford. There is a fish hatchery in the park so the stream is well stocked with very nice trout. Even if you don't fish, you and your kids will enjoy checking out the hatchery where you'll see salmon, perch and trout in different phases of development. If you're lucky you might even be there when they release the mature fish into Irondequoit Creek.
Every December, Powder Mills Park becomes a prime destination for cross country skiers. The same trails that are good for a warm weather stroll are even better for winter skiing. The trails clearly marked but are groomed only by skiers, snowshoes, hikers and native deer. There is also a small downhill slope that is just right for beginners. Rental equipment and lessons are available at the downhill slope.
With its six lodges and four outdoor pavilions, Powder Mills Park would be great for your next company event or family reunion. The lodges have stove tops, picnic tables, wood burning stoves and restrooms. The outdoor facilities have picnic tables, grills and convenient restrooms. If you're interested in renting any of these facilities, please call 585-753-7275. As with the other parks we've visited, Powder Mills is a carry in - carry out park.
Check back often as I continue my series of articles on great parks across the Country. There's a chance that my next stop will be near your home.
