Spring is here and trees and flowers are blooming. Springwater Trails will explore Highland Park in Rochester, the site of Lilac Festival held on May 12-21, 2023. We likely will see many lilacs this early, but there should be plenty of other blossoms including daffodils and magnolias.

This hike will be on grass and sidewalks and will include various rolling hills. We will break into two groups and each group can adjust their route based on terrain and hiker’s interest.

The climbers will follow a 3 mile route reaching all corners of the park. We will start at the parking area in front of the castle (directions below). A short walk behind the castle will bring us to the Sunken Gardens. From there we will walk around the houses in the area and explore the park land between Reservoir Ave and Robinson Drive, passing above the Bowl and crossing South Avenue. From there we will head to the Poet’s Garden.  I am planning to head across Highland Ave to see some of the various memorials that have been created.  Returning to to lilacs, we will head for the Rhododendrons which bloom earlier than the lilacs, if I remember correctly. From there I plan to cross Pinetum Drive for a view over the city, and then make our way west, and explore north of Robinson Drive. to end up back at the cars.  If time permits, we will cross Mt Hope and visit the Susan B. Anthony grave site.

The Tourist/Naturalists will follow the same route through the sunken gardens and around by the Bowl to the Magnolias. They will follow the sidewalk around the reservoir, down to the Pansy Bed, back up to the Azaleas and out  to Reservoir Ave. The group can the decide whether to walk the sidewalk back to the cars (about 2 mi. total), or explore behind the Conservatory and continue back around the Bowl to the cars (about 2.5 miles).

Social: Following the hike, we will gather at The Distillery Restaurant 5 blocks south on Mt Hope Ave.

Directions:

From Springwater center: Head north on NY 15A toward Hemlock. Stay on 15A all the way to Rochester. After crossing the canal, continue straight across Westfall Rd, and then bear left to stay on East Henrietta Rd. Bear right onto Mt Hope Ave. Continue for about 3/4 mile, and turn right onto Reservoir Ave (first street after the light at Highland Ave). Take the first left into the park and park in front of the castle.:

From I-390 and points south and west:  At the intersection with I-590, stay left to keep on I-390.  Stay in the right lane and take Exit 16B to merge onto NY-15A. Continue straight across Westfall Rd, and then bear left to stay on East Henrietta Rd. Bear right onto Mt Hope Ave. Continue for about 3/4 mile, and turn right onto Reservoir Ave (first street after the light at Highland Ave). Take the first left into the park and park in front of the castle.:

From I-490, Victor and points south and east: Take I-490 west to Exit 17 (Goodman St). Turn left onto Goodman St and continue for 0.8 miles. At the top of the hill, turn right into the park on Pinetum Rd. Turn left then right onto Reservoir Ave. Cross South Ave and turn right into Castle Park. Park in front of the castle.: