UPDATE: Since the forecast for Sunday afternoon is cool and rainy, the after-hike dish-to-pass social will be at Gene and Georgia’s townhouse in Collett Woods, only a few miles north of Mertensia Park. See directions below. Hiking and birding will proceed as planned (let’s hope the birds cooperate), but please dress for cooler and wet conditions.
Farmington’s Mertensia Park is one of the area’s most reliable spots for enjoying the Virginia Bluebells growing wild in the woods along Mud Creek, usually peaking around Mother’s Day. Join us, and bring along a Mom! There are options ranging from a leisurely stroll to a longer hike or bike ride along the Auburn Trail, which abuts the Park. 
Naturalists and birders will accompany Gene Binder through the woods of Mertensia Park and perhaps up along the Auburn Trail, in pursuit of spring migratory birds. Bring your binoculars for the best bird viewing.
Tourists and Climbers will explore the roughly 1.3 mile trail through the park woods, and then head west along the Auburn Trail toward Victor, turning around to return at their discretion. The distance to the former freight depot at Maple Street is 2.6 miles; Tourists may wish to turn back earlier. A section of about .3 miles is a detour along East Victor Road and the Break of Day Road; all sections including the road walking are well marked and level, with a well drained walking and riding surface. Hikers also have the option of exploring the Auburn Trail going east toward Canandaigua – a new section of trail recently completed (almost) by the Town of Farmington.
If conditions permit, cyclists will also follow the Auburn Trail toward Victor, following the .3 mile detour at East Victor Road and then a 1 mile detour through the village on Avenue, School Street and Rawson Road before returning to the rail trail. The turning point will be in 7 miles at the Thruway underpass, with its railroad-themed mural, for a total ride of 14 miles. The 1841 Cobblestone Railroad Pumphouse at Fishers is an interesting stop along the way. There will be time to explore the bluebell trail in Mertensia Park at the end of the ride.
Social – Please join us for a dish-to-pass social at 6218 Silver Birch Drive, in the Collett Woods townhouse complex in Farmington – see below for directions from the park.
Directions to the site:
From Springwater: Follow Route 15A north to Honeoye Falls, turning right on West Main Street just west of the Village. At the center of Honeoye Falls, turn right at the traffic light on East Street, which becomes Boughton Hill Road. Follow Boughton Hill Road 11.6 miles, passing Ganondagan. After East Victor Road, make a left on Mertensia Road. Mertensia Park is on your left, just over the hill.
From Rochester: Take Route 490 and the NYS Thruway to Exit 44, Farmington. Go 1.4 mile south on Route 332 and turn right on Route 96. In another .4 miles turn left on Mertensia Road. Mertensia Park entrance will be in .6 miles on your right.
From Honeoye or points along Routes 5&20 east or west: Head toward Bloomfield and go north on Route 444 toward Victor. At Boughton Hill Road, go right for 2.3 miles and take a left on Mertensia Road. Park will be on your left in .1 mile.
DIRECTIONS TO THE SOCIAL: From the Mertensia Park entrance, go left (north) on Mertensia Road, and go 1.1 miles, passing through the intersection with Route 96, and enter the Collett Woods complex on the right. Follow the entry road until it comes to a T, with the office and pool ahead of you. Park by the pool and walk to the west and then around the corner to #6218 on the left.