Channing H. Philbrick Park — Attraction in Town of Penfield

Been going here for over 50 years when it was more appropriately called "Linear Park" and not named after another politician who took our money but put their name on it Rochester Slaughter Train Station . This location used to be a sewage treatment plant. In the park's earlier years, two large outdoor cylindrical tanks we're still on site and the whole place, including the creek where they released the treated water, all smelled of raw sewage. Today you can still see the concrete pads that supported the tanks. The rounded side of the main brick building gives you an idea of the tank size. At that time, the bridge had only recently closed and previously made for a very nice shortcut to East Rochester. However, due to weight limitations, it was closed when the 441 expansion replaced what is now Old Penfield Road to the north. For decades there was still active erosion of the large wall at the main bend downstream from the falls and bridge and at one point, during an upper embankment collapse, a 1960s era Volkswagen Beetle parked up top tumbled into the creek. Because the car landed right-side up, its yellow top remained visible a few feet below the surface for years. There used to be many more animals in the area. For example, since there were no rock retaining walls (which came much later), the linear wall slopes, being continually refreshed by erosion, had no green growth and were covered with a hundred holes from which birds would continually dart in and out. You can still see a few of the nest holes halfway up the furthest downstream part...

So pretty. We walked along the trail off the parking lot, left of the bridge overlooking the falls. We enjoyed that the trail runs along the water and is easy to follow with nice shade cover for a majority of the walk. There are lots of places to stop along the way and get close to the water and take pictures (bummed that I didn't bring my camera/phone). We also like that there are not a lot of bugs along the trail. There is another trail that is on the right side of the playground (off of the lower parking area). We found that trail to be full of greenery and flowers with a couple of nice spots to stop off at by the water. There was also some fun surprise graffiti under the overpass areas (street art is art too lol). However, that trail is a bit too close to civilization to feel like an escape to nature; runs along and then under rt. 441(traffic noise), runs behind some businesses in the area which you can see from the path and ends at a postage stamp size park behind Tops in Penfield (Panorama Valley Park). But it was...

Quite, except for the racket of birds and running water. and what a beautiful racket it is. This is a semi-challenging park, although there are plenty of paths that are quite easy, the ones along the water get a little treacherous for the non-nimble of foot. although there is usually a more sure-footed diversion when the trail gets rough.

I am highly sensitive to environmental allergies, if this park is treated, it is not treated with a chemical I respond negatively too.

there are quite a few beautiful protected species in this park. Jack in the Pulpits with 18" leaves!!! I believe I also saw quite a few trillium, except they had already passed their flowering season. (remember they are protected species and not be moved or...