Mendon Ponds Park

This past weekend, we packed up the car for a family trip to Mendon Ponds Park, a hidden gem nestled just outside of Rochester. It’s one of those places that combines the beauty of nature with a little bit of wonder for everyone, and we were excited to explore it with our boys and their cousins.

The park itself is huge—over 2,500 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, and ponds. As we entered the park, the excitement started to build. Our boys, August, Enzo, and Roman, were bubbling over with energy, ready to explore the trails and discover something new. Their cousins joined us, making the trip feel like one big family adventure. We had packed lunches, a couple of binoculars, and a bird guidebook to make the most of what we were about to experience: a close encounter with the wildlife, especially the birds.

Our first stop was the Wild Wings area. It’s a nature center that houses birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, and owls, all rescued and unable to return to the wild. The boys were in awe. Seeing these majestic birds up close was a real treat, and they asked the staff tons of questions about how these birds live, hunt, and adapt to the environment. It was an incredible learning moment, but the real magic was still ahead.

After leaving Wild Wings, we made our way to one of the park’s most beloved activities: hand-feeding the wild birds. The experience at Mendon Ponds is unlike any other park I’ve been to. There’s a specific area, near the Birdsong Trail, where chickadees, titmice, and even nuthatches have become so accustomed to people that they’ll land on your hand if you offer them some seeds.

We came prepared, of course, with birdseed in our pockets. The kids couldn’t believe it when the tiny chickadees started fluttering down from the trees, gently landing in their hands to grab a snack. Enzo’s face lit up when the first bird came down. “It tickles!” he shouted, giggling uncontrollably, while August and Roman stood still, trying to coax their own feathered friends down from the branches. The cousins were right in the mix too, all trying to get their moment with these fearless little birds.

We spent nearly an hour just standing there, mesmerized by the delicate dance of the birds flying down and back up to the trees. It was the kind of peaceful moment that sticks with you—a mix of excitement and serenity, and the kids couldn’t get enough. They learned about how to approach wildlife with respect and patience, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful that they got to experience something so pure.

As we wandered further along the trail, we started spotting more wildlife—ducks in the ponds, squirrels darting up the trees, and even a couple of deer watching us from a distance. The boys began pointing out different types of birds, trying to identify them using the guidebook we brought along. It turned into a real educational experience, without any of them realizing they were learning.

Mendon Ponds isn’t just about the birds, though. The park has endless trails that take you through forests and wetlands, and there’s even a glacial kettle hole—a rare geological formation—that we briefly checked out. The landscape is breathtaking, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing, painting the whole park in warm shades of orange, red, and yellow.

By the time we wrapped up our visit, the kids were exhausted but in that satisfied, happy way that comes from spending the entire day outdoors. As we loaded up the car and drove home, they couldn’t stop talking about how the birds had landed right on their hands, how they’d felt like little explorers for the day. We promised we’d come back soon, maybe even for a winter visit when the park is blanketed in snow and the birds are still as...

Mendon Ponds Park is part of the Monroe County Parks system. It is a unique geographically diverse tract of land, set aside and preserved for public use and enjoyment.

Unique glacial land forms of many ponds, eskers and drumlins are the main attraction. Hardwood forests with mostly oaks, maples and beech as well as other native trees and plants. There is plenty of flora and fauna for enthusiasts. Birds large and small, deer, beaver, squirrels chipmunks and snakes can all be seen here.

There are miles and miles of well maintained trails laid out in interconnected circuits. You'll find trails for hiking, running, walking, horseback riding (bring your own horse!) and cross country skiing and sledding (in winter). These are in wooded areas, grasslands and meadows. There are both rugged trails and comfortable walking parhs.

Non motoring boats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are allowed on the largest pond, Hundred Acre pond. Fishing is allowed on the many other Ponds. That's the park's last name, "Ponds"! If you plan to fish be sure to get a license.

There are picnic areas with tables and charcoal grills, open pavilions, enclosed lodges (with fireplaces and kitchens), playground structures and even a cobblestone house that can be rented for special occasions. Carry out your own trash.

Clean public restrooms and port-a-potties are located throughout the park. Parking is available at most trail entrances. Paved park roads lead to the lodges which have large parking lots.

Near the southwest entrance is a nature center, fairy trail, chick-a-dee feeding station and Wild Wings (a bird rehab center), which is home to many birds of prey who cannot be released back into the wild.

This park seems to have something for everyone. It is one of the great treasures of Monroe County.

A special thanks to the park staff who keep everything mowed, cleared, cleaned and well maintained.

March 15: I had always been my understanding that birds will eat out of your hand at a few special locations in the park. I can confirm that this is true.

Black-capped Chickadees are the bravest and boldest. The Cardinals came to see what all the activity was about, but they wouldn't eat from our hands. We were able coax one very brave Tufted Titmouse to light for a split second to grab a morsel and leave as quickly...

A nice park with something for just about everyone with two good legs (wheelchairs and crutches would have a hard time in most of the areas due to the soft ground).

There are lots of shelters with nearby open fields for events, gatherings, and playing frisbee/catch/whatever.

Near the South-west entrance is a nice little nature trail and nature center (I haven't actually been in the nature center yet, but it looks nice from the outside).

The ponds allow for canoes and kayaks (at least some of the bigger ones, anyway).

Everywhere else is packed full of a wide variety of trails, from easy short walks to long hikes full of hills.

Take a look at the park and trail maps (available on Monroe County's website for the park) before going to plan your visit, because the park is fairly big, so you might have a hard time finding an area that fits your needs if you go without planning ahead (especially if you want to avoid lots of big hills, because most of the area is very hilly).

Be careful if you visit after a rain storm, or during the spring right after all the snow is melting. A lot of the trails can get very wet and muddy, sometimes completely...