Channing Philbrick Park, Penfield

(Click here to download the trail map)

I’d been to Channing Philbrick Park in the past, but have not hiked it thoroughly. I knew there was much more to be explored, which was one reason I decided to visit this park today. We also had received the first real lake snow overnight -- and it was still coming down -- so I suspected that the freshly fallen snow would make for some beautiful scenery, and I was not disappointed.

Channing H. Philbrick Park, named after a former town supervisor, was formerly known as Linear Park, and is still accessed by Linear Park Drive, off of 441 just west of Penfield’s four corners. It’s a 19-acre park with lots of open space, a small playground, and bathrooms (which weren’t open when I was there). I was more interested in the trails, however.

The trail system is not very extensive. The longest one, the Philbrick Park Trail, is about a mile and a half long, and bisected by Honey Creek. The western half runs very close to busy 441, so it’s not very scenic or quiet. The eastern half is much more secluded, drawing away from 441 and heading south to the Perinton town line. This half is a bit more challenging, but neither would be difficult for small children.

The Honey Creek Trail, which turns north off of the eastern half of the Philbrick Park Trail, starts out quite steep, but is worth the walk because it also takes you to the Overlook Trail, which, while also steep, is short and has a nice vista at the top.

I also hiked the Fishing Trail, which wound along the bank of the Irondequoit Creek. This ended unceremoniously at a Rt. 441 underpass, at which point you have to turn around to head back to the trailhead. This is a very pretty trail, which occasionally draws far enough away from 441 to allow the rushing creek to overpower the sounds of the traffic. But mostly not.

I was hoping to see some history on these trails, the ruins of some of the old mills that used to operate on the creek. Taking another look at the map, it appears that I should have checked out the “Mills Trail,” which I didn't notice while I was walking. I’ll have to return some day.

My hike, including the three up-and-back trails and a few exploratory turns, was about 3 miles, and I accomplished all that in about an hour and 15 minutes. The “exploratory” turns were necessitated by the fact that the map I pulled offline was a bit confusing and kind of incomplete. There was some signage, and some blazes, but I had to pull out my map frequently to confirm where I was. I also wish the map had street names on it to confirm my location. I was particularly confused when I came to what I now realize was the end of the Philbrick Trail, where I found another trail heading east with blue blazes. I just decided to turn around and head back rather than get lost. I suspect now it was part of a separate trail system unassociated with Channing Philbrick.

I did enjoy coming across a few surprises on my hike, like some tall cliffs toward the western end of the Philbrick Trail, and a small waterfall. I also appreciated being able to pick up some flyers at the main kiosk, and at the smaller kiosk at the northern end of the Honey Creek Trail (which I now know ended at Motts Lane).

One of those flyers tells me that the Penfield Trails Committee will host a guided hike at Channing Philbrick Park on Saturday April 9. These hikes are free but they ask that you register. Call 340-8655.