Please join us on Sunday, September 28th for a hike from the Seneca Park Zoo entrance along the Genesee Riverway Trail to the Lower Falls Park.  All hikers meet at 1:45pm for a 2:00pm start at the south end of the main parking lot for the Seneca Park Zoo (2222 St. Paul Street Rochester, NY 14621)

The Riverway Trail is a City-owned network of trails on both sides of the Genesee River as it winds from Genesee Valley Park north to Lake Ontario. Our hike will take in portions of the Olmstead-designed Seneca and Maplewood Parks, crossing the river on a pedestrian bridge linking the two parks. Along the way we will enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Genesee Gorge, culminating in the massive Lower Falls just south of the Driving Park Bridge and the former Kodak Hawkeye Plant. This is an out-and back hike, followed by a dish-to-pass social at the home of Gene and Georgia Binder at 1855 Westfall Road Rochester NY  14618 just off Winton Road in Brighton.

Climbers and Tourists will head south along the Riverway Trail, crossing the river on the pedestrian bridge to Maplewood Park and continuing south to the Lower Falls Park, a hike of about 2 miles each way.

Naturalists and anyone seeking a shorter excursion can visit the Zoo https://senecaparkzoo.org/ for ticket information) and/or explore the rim trail along the east side of the Genesee Gorge in Seneca Park, followed by a 2-mile trip by car down St. Paul Street to park at Maplewood Park and see the Lower Falls. Most of the Riverway Trail is paved, and there are some stairs but no steep climbs.

For a preview of some highlights of this section of the Genesee, take a look at the online audiotour of the Lower Falls area at             https://tourblend.stqry.app/1/tour/2495     This self-guided program describes the rich history of this section of the river – the geological forces that formed the gorge, its importance to lake and river navigation, its role in the Underground Railroad,  the wealth of industrial activity around the falls, a series of spectacular bridge failures, and its role in hydropower generation today.  We will see it all on our hike.

Social:   Following the hike, we will adjourn to the home of Gene and Georgia Binder at 1855 Westfall Road Rochester, NY 14618 the southeast corner of Westfall and Fairhill Drive, and one block east of S. Winton Road. See Directions below.  Bring your own beverage and a favorite appetizer, hot dish, salad or dessert,  or contribute $5 to our Social Fund. See directions below.

Directions to the Zoo:

From Springwater, Hemlock, Bloomfield or Naples: Find your way north to Route 5 and 20, and head west to the Avon ramp north onto I-390. After 16 miles, when 390 splits in Brighton, go right (east) on I 590. In 8.7 miles, take Exit 10A to merge onto NY 104 West toward Greece.  In 3 miles, take the exit toward Clinton and Seneca Ave. and turn right at N. Clinton Avenue. Take N. Clinton north for .6 miles and make a left on Collingwood Drive. When Collingwood meets St. Paul Street, go straight ahead into the Zoo entrance. The main parking lot is about a half mile ahead – take the first curb cut.

From Canandaigua, Victor or east side of Rochester: Head into Rochester on I-490, and take the exit to Route 590 North, then Exit 10A to merge onto NY 104 West toward Greece. In 3 miles, take the exit toward Clinton and Seneca Ave. and turn right at N. Clinton Avenue. Take N. Clinton north for .6 miles and make a left on Versailles Road When Collingwood meets St. Paul Street, go straight ahead into the Zoo entrance. The main parking lot is about a half mile ahead – take the first curb cut.

Directions to Social at 1855 Westfall Road Rochester NY 14618:

Via Interstates: Coming out of Seneca Park, go south on St. Paul Street, then left on E. Ridge Road to N. Clinton Avenue. Make a right and cross NY 104, then follow the signs to go left to 104 East.  In about 3 miles, take the exit for I-590 south. In 5.8 miles, take Exit 2A to Monroe Avenue. Turn left on Monroe, then in 400 feet turn right on Westfall.  The Binder’s house at 1855 will be on your left, but continue past it one block and make a left on S. Winton Road, then another left on Fairhill Drive. Park along Fairhill Drive.  The Binders’ House is at the corner of Fairhill and Westfall.

Via city streets (about 20 minutes): Coming out of Seneca Park, go south on St. Paul Street. In about 2.8 miles, you will go under the Inner Loop bridge. Continue straight on St. Paul Street until you cross Main Street. The name now changes to South Avenue. In .4 miles you will go under the other side of the Inner Loop. Continue on South Avenue another 2.5 miles until it merges with East Henrietta Road. Take the next left onto Westfall Road. Go another 2.3 miles to the Winton Road intersection, and take a right, then the first left on Fairhill Drive. Go around two sides of the block and park on Fairhill. The Binders’ House is at the corner of Fairhill and Westfall.