Our area's newest park
Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park, Brighton
I had an appointment out in Brighton this morning, which happened to be right down the road from the east-side's newest park and trail. So I popped by.
The Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park -- named after a former town supervisor -- was officially dedicated just a week ago, on June 29, 2016. It's a 72-acre natural area, purchased by the town of Brighton in 2012, stretching between Elmwood Avenue to the north and Westfall Road to the south. Its main feature is the multi-use, 0.8-mile Brickyard Trail which runs its length. There are trailheads on Elmwood just west of the Brighton Town Hall, and Westfall, adjacent to The Landing of Brighton. It's an out-and-back trail, but short enough that that's not too obnoxious.
True to its description as a multi-use trail, the Brickyard Trail is flat and wide and paved with cinders, making it very accessible for wheelchairs as well as hikers and bikers. It winds through some beautiful wetlands, and crosses a very lazy creek (maybe Allen Creek?).
The park was alive with birds when I walked it today, of all sizes and descriptions. I saw a goldfinch, a woodpecker, robins, and wrens, and those are just the ones I could identify. The wetlands reminded me of the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, and while I didn't see any hawks, as I often do there, I'm certain they would feel right at home. I also saw two deer on the trail, the first ones I have seen in my park explorations so far.
The only blotch on an otherwise beautiful park was the orange construction fencing still in place along the swamp, keeping people out of the pond while newly planted trees and bushes have a chance to grow. I expect that eventually, that fencing will be removed. There were also a lot of bugs, probably resulting from the wetlands.
Aside from the fact that this is a beautiful trail, The Brickyard Trail also offers ample opportunities to learn about Brighton's history.
The park was created out of -- and named after -- land once owned by the Rochester Brick and Tile Company, which mined it for clay in the early 20th century. When that business closed, the stripped landscape began to regenerate itself. The result is what is now the largest remaining wetland within a three-mile radius of Rochester.
Much of this history is illustrated and explained on interpretive panels at the trailheads and along the path, and on several cleverly-engraved blocks which double as benches.
The gallery below shows
(top row, L-R): The trailhead on Elmwood Ave.; Some interpretive displays overlooking toe wetlands; one of the carved blocks, which double as benches, illustrating historical facts.
(bottom row, L-R): I love cattails. There were a lot of them; You have to look past the construction fencing (literally and figuratively) for some beautiful wetland views; Mama and fawn joined me briefly on my walk, but stayed well ahead. They are the first deer I've seen in my park explorations.
