This Sunday, we will have the pleasure of hiking in Highland Park and or Visiting Lamberton Conservatory in the southeast part of Rochester!

George Ellwanger and Patrick Barry donated 20 acres of their nursery grounds, and, in 1888, Highland became the city’s first public park. Frederick Law Olmstead, who was the landscape architect for New York City’s Central Park, was engaged to be this park’s designer. Subsequent horticulturalists introduced rare and unusual plants from around the world to enrich the park’s botanical collections.

During the 20th century, Highland Park achieved international fame for its large assortment of lilacs and has the nation’s largest lilac collection. Many were developed in Rochester, and the annual Lilac Festival, held when they bloom in May, always draws a large attendance.

Hike Details:   We will meet in the parking lot next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (1440 South Avenue Rochester, NY 14620), near the southwest corner of the park, at 1:45 PM, for photographs and orientation.  Hike will start promptly at 2:00pm.  Please dress appropriately for the weather.

We will then all walk north on the trail, cross Highland Ave., and continue until we come to a fork. From here, we will divide into 2 groups:

• One group will go right, remain outside and walk around the beautiful Reservoir, view magnificent sycamore trees and explore the surrounding areas and return to the lot afterwards.
• The other group will head left to visit the Lamberton Conservatory where they will remain inside and be treated to warm lush tropical and desert settings and view many great interesting displays of plants from many different kinds of habitats, that would not survive outside in the winter. The group will then leave the conservatory around 3:30pm and head back to the parking lot.  *Please note there is a nominal admission charge of $3.00 (adult age 19-61) or $2.00 (age 62 and up.)

Social:    After the hike, please join our optional social for refreshment and fellowship with your fellow hikers! We have a table reserved at the Elmwood Inn (1256 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY  14620) http://elmwoodinn.net where we enjoyed good meals a short while ago.

Directions to the hike:   From points around Springwater, go north on SR 15A. After crossing Westfall Road, fork right at the next light onto South Ave. After crossing Elmwood Avenue, look for the sign for the right turn into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Max Lill Drive. It is the second right after you pass the Al Sigl Center, immediately opposite Wall Street.

For those coming north on Interstate 390 continue on 390 (left) toward the airport at the split with 590. Take the first exit toward Route 15A (East Henrietta Road). Turn right at the exit, and go north past Westfall Road and fork right at the next light onto South Ave. After crossing Elmwood Avenue, look for the sign for the right turn into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Max Lill Drive. It is the second right after you pass the Al Sigl Center, immediately opposite Wall Street.

For those coming from the east or southeast, take Route 490 toward downtown Rochester. Take the Linden Avenue exit and turn left at the light. Linden will become Elmwood Avenue. In 4.4 miles, make a right on South Avenue, pass Al Sigl Center on the right, and then take the second driveway into the park, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial sign (Max Lill Drive), immediately opposite Wall Street.

Directions to the social:  The Elmwood Inn is at 1256 Mount Hope Avenue, at the corner of Mount Hope and Cook Street.  From the hike parking lot, turn left on South Ave., then right on Cook Street (one way) just before the Elmwood Avenue intersection. The Elmwood Inn is on the corner of Mount Hope, left side. Or you can go right on Elmwood and enter the parking lot from behind Tim Horton’s.