Flower City Looking Good 2010 offers many opportunities to get fit and be fascinated around Rochester's neighborhoods and natural areas. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this page to see the full slate of great activities scheduled!
Explore nature and the city’s amazing historic parks (a system established in 1888) as well as Edwardian and Victorian neighborhoods by bike, on foot or in canoes. Walks, jogs and rides are leisurely with slight grade changes, mostly on paths or sidewalks. Helmets required for bike rides. 428-6770. Cancellations due to weather will be made at start time on site.
MVP Health Care Tuesday Nature Nights (May 25 through Aug. 24)
Tuesday, May 25: Guided Bike Ride, High Falls Neighborhood. Travel along the Genesee Riverway Trail and by road into the community. Ride through downtown Rochester, Genesee Valley Park, view the exciting new development at Brooks Landing and take a quick break for a sample of coffee or fresh squeezed juice at Boulder on Brooks. Visit the Corn Hill and Susan B. Anthony neighborhoods and view the Frederick Douglass Museum site. This ride is also offered during the River Romance Weekend. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Pont de Rennes, behind the Centers at High Falls.
June 1: Guided Bike Ride, Genesee Valley Park Neighborhood Trails. Bike along the Erie Canal Trail, Genesee Riverway and the Genesee Valley Greenway Trails. Explore some of the Frederick Law Olmsted’s most remarkable landscape creations. Stop at the Genesee Waterways Center and hear about the plans to make Rochester’s trail system a world-class commuting alternative. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Ave.
June 8: “Discovering Rochester’s Wilderness Walk, Turning Point Park. Journey across the River board walk at Turning Point North and also the Red Falls trail and Bullock Woods. Hear the story of how devoted citizens turned an industrial site back into a natural wonderland. Learn about how nature can reclaim and nourish even the starkest landscapes. Please be prepared for uneven terrain. Walk begins at 6 p.m. the Boxart St. parking lot.
June 15: Guided Bike Ride, Seneca Park and Turning Point Park. Cross over to the west side of the Genesee River and ride on the Genesee Riverway Trail to the Port of Rochester. Learn about how improvements to Rochester’s sewer system were incorporated into a magnificent river crossing. Pass by Rochester’s oldest cemetery. Enjoy spectacular views of the river gorge, ride on the 4,000 foot boardwalk in Turning Point basin and under the O’Rourke Bridge. Includes a rest break at Hose 22, the Charlotte neighborhood’s newest eatery and a prime example of reuse of a historic structure. (This ride is also offered during the River Romance Weekend.) Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Seneca Park Zoo parking lot.
June 22: Guided Bike Ride, Maplewood neighborhood. Explore the stately homes of Maplewood, hear the stories of McCrackinville and Carthage and the five bridges across the Genesee. Ride on the Genesee Riverway Trail through Seneca Park and visit the El Camino Trail and hear how a group of citizens are determined to change a neighborhood through the reuse of an abandoned railroad right-of-way. Take in close up views of Lower Falls and Genesee River Gorge. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Rose Garden parking lot, Lake Ave. & Driving Park Ave.
June 29: “Restoring Our Environment” Walk-Durand Park Boardwalk Tour. Hear about the City’s ambitious plans to clean up the water flowing into the Lake and once again make this area a summer playground. Learn how volunteers have restored Durand Eastman Park’s magnificent arboretum, journey along the beach, over wetlands, through woods and discover unique tree species. Walk begins at 6 p.m. at the eastern most parking lot along Durand beach.
July 6: Guided Bike Ride, Marketview Heights and Neighborhood of the Arts. See manufacturing buildings built in the 1800’s now converted to loft housing, eateries and a brewery. Ride along University Ave. to view sidewalk art and enjoy the George Eastman House gardens. Enjoy a sample of beer from Rohrbach Brewery or coffee at Java’s at the Market to cap off a perfect city evening. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St.
July 13: University of Rochester Arboretum Walk. Explore the UR Arboretum with Manager of Horticulture and Grounds, Dan Schied. The Campus Walk exhibits hundreds of tree species and unique varieties. Visit the riverside Iris garden and hear about its Japanese inspired design. Walk begins at 6 p.m. at the westside steps of UR Rush Rhees Library.
July 20: Guided Bike Ride, Eastside elegance tour. Explore the City’s “Neighborhood of the Arts” and ARTWalk. Ride along East Ave. and view beautiful City mansions. Enjoy Cobb’s Hill Reservoir, a great view north and the bustling and eclectic Park Ave. neighborhood. Includes a rest stop at Starry Nights Café. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at Towner’s Bicycle Shop, 1048 University Avenue.
July 27: Guided Outrigger Canoe Paddle, Genesee Valley Park Waterways Center. 149 Elmwood Dr. Skyline Tour takes paddlers from Genesee Valley Park to the South Wedge neighborhood and features a breathtaking view of the city. 6 p.m. $15 per person. Preregister: Jun. 9 – Aug. 23.
August 3: Guided Bike Ride, Ontario Parkway Trail and Charlotte Neighborhood. Take a quick spin around the Port Area and hear about the ambitious plans for the area. Ride the new Parkway trail through wetlands to Island Cottage Road. Return along Beach Avenue with great views of the Lake and historic beach-front homes. Walk your bike along the “secret sidewalk,” a remnant of the days of the trolley. Cap off the evening with a sample of frozen custard at the original Abbott’s. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the boat launch parking lot.
August 10: Guided Canoe/Kayak Paddle, Genesee Valley Park Waterways Center. 149 Elmwood Dr. Paddle from Genesee Valley Park south to the convergence with the canal and on to Red Creek. See historic Olmsted landscape and bridges from the water. Explore the wilderness of Red Creek as it weaves through a Brighton neighborhood. 6 p.m. $15 per person. Preregister: Jun. 15 - Aug. 8.
August 17: Guided Bike Ride, Mount Hope Cemetery. Explore the oldest municipally maintained Victorian cemetery in the United States, dedicated in 1838. Take a slow, leisurely ride with the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery and view many grave sites including those of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Ave.
August 24: Guided Bike Ride, Corn Hill neighborhood. Bike on the Genesee Riverway Trial and explore the Corn Hill neighborhood, and view its historic collection of stately homes. Enjoy a quick refreshment break at Boulder Coffee Company on Brooks. Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Ave.
Lower Gorge Explorer Free Guided Hike Series
Explore 175 years and More of Lower Genesee Gorge History! Who was Elsa Von Blumen? Where was McCrackinville? Where was the largest single arch wooden bridge ever built located? Why is the Charlotte Lighthouse so far from Lake Ontario? These and many other questions will be answered on the Lower Gorge Explorer hike series, designed to acquaint participants with the history of the Genesee lower gorge. Participants completing all five hikes will join the ranks of Lower Gorge Explorers and be eligible to receive a commemorative coin. Participants must be able to walk four miles at a moderate pace. Terrain is generally flat but a few walks have more difficult spots. No preregistration is necessary. Visit: the city's Lower Gorge web page or www.lowerfalls.org (select Lower Genesee Gorge). Participants meet at a designated place and carpool to the starting point. Restroom facilities are limited. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring drink and snacks as preferred. Rain or shine. Send questions to claymagee@frontiernet.net.
Lower Gorge Explorer, Summer, Series 1: June 12 and June 19 and 20 (in conjunction with Maplewood Rose Celebration); June 26 and 27 (in conjunction with Rochester Harbor and Carousel Festival). All are Saturday and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
June 12: Meet in the Petten St. parking lot. Turn east off Lake Ave. onto Petten St. between the Lake Ontario Parkway/O’Rourke Bridge and Charlotte High School. Explore the historic Olmsted designed Seneca Park North including: Trout Pond, Aviary and Bandstand and the historic trail system. Also Irondequoit Flats, Shedville, Rattlesnake Point and the O’Rourke Bridge.
June 19: Meet in the Maplewood Rose Garden parking lot, corner of Lake Ave. and Driving Park. Walk the west side of the Genesee Gorge and visit Maplewood Park, the Veterans Memorial Bridge, The Eastman Memorial and Kings Landing Cemetery (Rochester’s oldest burying ground). Hike also includes Kelsey’s Landing, the former St. Bernard’s Seminary as well as the Lower and Middle Falls.
June 20: Meet in the Seneca Park Zoo parking lot, St. Paul Blvd. Explore the Southern environs of Seneca Park and the surrounding riverfront neighborhood including Seth Green switchback trail, Rochester School for the Deaf, the former Kodak Hawkeye Works (now ITT), Carthage and the Driving Park Bridge.
June 26: Meet on Tamarack St., south off Beach Ave. View the historic, lakefront homes and the “secret sidewalk,” visit the Port of Rochester, the Charlotte/Genesee Lighthouse, Charlotte Cemetery and the Bill Davis overlook.
June 27: Meet at Petten St. lot. Hike features the Genesee Riverway Trail and its spectacular elevated riverwalk over the Turning Basin. Also includes Riverside and Holy Sepulchre Cemeteries, Turning Point Park and Bullock’s Woods.
Lower Gorge Explorer, Fall, Series 2:
Sundays and one Saturday: Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 9 and 10, 1 to 4 p.m.
Sept. 19: See June 26 hike.
Sept. 26: See June 27 hike.
Oct. 3: See June 12 hike.
Oct. 9: River Romance Weekend, see June 19 hike.
Oct. 10: River Romance Weekend, see June 20 hike.
Other Activities
Rochester Bicycling Club Slow & Easy Ride Series. Weekly from May to October, these rides, led by members of the Rochester Bicycling Club, are longer (9 to 23 miles), utilize urban and rural streets and trails, and are designed for riders who want to develop their riding skills. Helmets required and riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. www.rochesterbicyclingclub.org.
Canoe and Kayak rentals at Turning Point Park. Available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 12–13, August 7–8 and Oct. 9–10 (three weekends over the summer and fall) at the Turning Point Park landing. Turn east on Boxart St. off Lake Ave., right turn to parking lot, then walk down to Genesee River boardwalk. $15 per hour; $25 for two hrs; $40/day. Additional Turning Point Park canoe tours are scheduled for Thursday evenings in May through October. For more information contact www.geneseewaterways.org or call 585-328-3960.
Genesee Waterways Center (GWC). Headquartered in Genesee Valley Park, the Genesee Waterways Center (GWC) is the gateway to outdoor activities on or near the water in Western New York. GWC is a not-for-profit organization that promotes paddling, rowing & sculling and related outdoor activities—programs for everyone! The Center offers top-notch instructors and growing facilities, extensive rental equipment for canoeing & kayaking and more for visitors to make the most of their outdoor experience. These recreational facilities and year-round classes are available to all ages and ability levels, from youth to adults and novice to competitive.
Outrigger Fitness Class. Monday and Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (one hour paddling time), August 3–26. Cost: $80/8 class session. Improve your speed, endurance and aerobic condition by steady pace and interval training in an outrigger canoe (the most stable boat you could paddle.) Guided by a trained steersperson, paddlers achieve personal fitness goals in the great outdoors in this unique group exercise program. Designed for individuals 14 years of age or older. Accessible to people with physical disabilities. Additional recreational outrigger canoe tours can be scheduled to meet you and your group needs July through October. For information or registration call Anita O’Brien, SportsNet Supervisor, 585-271-1894 ext. 742 or e-mail: A_O’Brien@rochesterrehab.org. Registration deadline: July 23.
SportsNet. SportsNet is a program of the Rochester Rehabilitation Center located at 1000 Elmwood, Suite 600, Rochester, NY 14620. SportsNet offers adapted sports and inclusive recreation opportunities in Wheelchair Basketball, Outrigger Canoeing, Golf, Sled Hockey, Power Chair Soccer, Cycling, Sailing, and Water Wellness. Whether you are just beginning or are looking for competitive options, please contact us for more information and get started on a life long journey of fun! For more information, contact Anita O’Brien, SportsNet Supervisor, 585-271-1894 ext. 742 or e-mail: A_O’Brien@rochesterrehab.org.