SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
It’s cold and it’s COVID BY ALEXANDRIA HUTTON
I
t’s the dead of winter, you’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and the kids are bouncing off the walls. Everyone’s tired of being stuck inside the house … but have no fear.There are still plenty of socially distant winter activities perfect for the whole family. Outdoor adventures like snowshoeing, sledding, tubing, and even some warmer indoor activities are included below.
Photo by Angia Armstong via flickr
Snowshoeing
Winter in Western New York means snow … lots and lots of snow. But don’t let the snow stop you from getting your family out of the house. Snowshoeing is a fun way to get some fresh air in the winter months. Carry toddlers on your back, pull them in a sled, or let them walk with some snowshoes of their own. It’s easy to learn. Start on flat ground and let your little ones get used to walking around in their snowshoes. Cumming Nature Center in the Finger Lakes region is a 900-acre preserve filled with wetlands, forests, and hiking trails. In the winter months, the nature center offers fifteen miles of groomed ski trails and three miles for snowshoeing, perfect for a winter day trip with the family. Ski equipment and snowshoes are available to rent at the visitor center. Tinker Nature Park in Henrietta offers a close to home snowshoeing experience. Deer and geese commonly gather in the park, which makes for a fun animal spotting adventure for children. This sixty-eight-acre, handicap accessible park features a short 1.2mile trail, pavilions for cold weather picnics, and a playground
recreation area. The park also offers snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals as well as public access to bathrooms.
Sledding
Sledding is a winter must; it’s free and fun for all. Whether you want to go fast or slow, play it safe, or take your sled over snow ramps, sledding can be anything you want it to be. The sledding hills in Monroe County parks are designated, maintained, and— most importantly—safe! A fan favorite of families on the west side of Rochester, Black Creek Park in Chili has a large sledding hill located behind the Woodside Lodge. The hill is tall but not too steep. A unique feature of this hill is the fence on the side of the hill that gives sledders a safe path to climb back up. Mendon Ponds Park has two designated sledding hills and several nondesignated. With multiple options of hills, you can scope them out to see which hill is least crowded in order to remain socially distant. In the colder months, this park is a winter wonderland. Mendon Ponds Park also has groomed trails that offer more than twenty miles of marked cross country skiing trails.
Birdsong Trail and Wild Wings
Birdsong trail in Mendon Ponds Park is a family favorite. In warm or cold weather, you can gather with loved ones, grab a handful of birdseed, and stand very still. Then, the birds will come and eat from your hands! Follow this looped trail in order to visit other 585mag.com | January/February 2021
45
