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Where To Picnic in Rochester - Part 3

By: Alan M. Kassirer Click author's name for more of his/her articles

There aren't many places in the Country that have the tremendous variety of picnic locations that you'll find in Rochester, NY. Thus far we've visited Seneca Park, Charlotte Beach, Hamlin Beach and Webster Park. In this third and final article, I'll tell you about another two of my favorite places to picnic in Rochester; Powder Mills Park and Durand Eastman Park.
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While Durand Eastman Park is located only a few miles from Ontario Beach, and each has Lake Ontario swimming beaches, the character of the two parks couldn't be much different. While Charlotte Beach is next to 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 have a chance to see the best of what Mother Nature has to offer. There are many types of plant life including trees, wildflowers, ferns and aquatic plants. If you're lucky, you'll also spot several different kinds of birds and small animals. If you're really lucky, you might meet a deer or two along the way. Eastman Lake is a good place to take your kids fishing for bullheads, sunfish and other panfish. The trails also offer fine cross-country skiing in the winter.

If you like golf, you should play Durand's 18 hole Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf course. The course opened in 1935 and was a shell of its former self by the early 1970s. Fortunately extensive renovations were done in the 1970s and again in 1997 and now the course is both challenging and attractive. When I first played there, the course was unusually broken into 10 and eight holes sides instead of the usual nine and nine. That was fixed during the first renovation. There is a creek that snakes through the par 70 course and can frustrate your game on nine of the 18 holes. Amazingly you can still play Durand for $16.00 on weekdays and $17.00 on weekends. The course is a strenuous walk so I recommend that you take a cart.

Durand Eastman Park has a lot of picnic facilities like tables, grills and pavilions. There is also playground equipment for the kids. Your dog is welcome at Durand Eastman Park as long as you keep him on his leash. Durand is a carry in - carry out facility so don't forget your trash bags. I'd suggest you take a picnic basket with reusable plates, silverware and glasses so you'll be easy on the environment and have less garbage to take out with you.

Are you looking for a park with some good trout fishing? If you said yes then you should visit Powder Mills Park in suburban Pittsford. The stream that passes through the park is regularly stocked from the Fish Hatchery that's located within the grounds. Even if you don't fish, you and your kids will enjoy at the hatchery where you'll see salmon, perch and trout in different phases of development. If you're lucky you'll be there when they release the mature fish into Irondequoit Creek.

Every December, Powder Mills Park becomes a prime destination for cross country skiing. There are several trails that are good for walking in the summer and even better for cross country skiing once the snow flies. The trails clearly marked but are The County depends on the hikers, skiers and abundant native deer to keep the trails clear. There is also a small downhill slope that is just right for beginners. You can take a lesson and rent skiis at the downhill ski area.

Powder Mills has six lodges and four outdoor pavilions that would be great for your family reunion or corporate event. The lodges have wood burning stoves, picnic tables and restrooms. The outdoor facilities have grills and picnic tables and the restrooms are nearby. If you'd like to rent any of these pavilions or lodges, please dial 585-753-7275. Powder Mills is a carry in - carry out park so why not bring a modern picnic basket and reduce the amount of waste you have to take with you?

Check back soon as I continue my series of articles on great picnic locations. There's a chance that my next stop will be in your home town.

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About The Author: Alan Kassirer writes about vacation and picnic destinations and owns Picnic Baskets and More, your home for wicker picnic baskets, picnic backpacks, barbecue tools and other picnic accessories. Our sister site, Camping Gear Stop is your internet home for camping tents and other camping gear.