So Much Fun at Kreag Road Park

We have lived in the Rochester area for almost six years, and I had never known about Kreag Road Park until last month. One of my fellow ROCmommas suggested it for a play date, and I'm so glad she did.

Kreag Road Park is located at 555 Kreag Road in Pittsford, NY - although technically, it is part of the Town of Perinton. The parking lot is adjacent to the playground, so it's a short walk if you're hauling diaper bags, lunch bags, or just your kids. There are two play structures with lots of areas to climb up and slide down. One of the structures is larger and geared toward older kids...

...while the other play structure is better suited for younger kids.

You'll also find a swing set with two regular swings and two infant swings, a basketball court, tennis court, baseball diamonds, plus a large sandbox under a big shady tree. There are some toys already available in the sandbox, or you may bring your own.

If you bring lunch or snacks, there are several picnic tables located under trees for shade. Then when it's time for a potty break, the restrooms are close to the playground and sandbox. One note on the restrooms: there are no diaper changing tables.

If you are visiting the park with older children, you may want to take a short walk beyond the playground area to sit or walk along the Erie Canal. There is a new boat dock with a beautiful view of the canal. 

It's a great spot to watch the ducks and kayaks go by.

We even made up our own version of Pooh Sticks where we threw dandelions into the canal and watched as the current swept them away. The dandelion in the lead was the winner of that round.

Kreag Road Park is now one of our favorites, thanks to the fun playground, large sandbox, and access to the Erie Canal. We will definitely be regulars this summer!

What is your favorite playground in the Rochester area? Post a Comment and let us know. As always, thanks for reading.

Mendon Ponds Park

Mendon Ponds Park is one of those places you can go back to and visit a different spot each time. There are hiking trails, recreational areas, ponds, wetlands, playgrounds, as well as special features such as Sharon's Sensory Garden and Wild Wings. Mendon Ponds Park has glacial features that make it a Natural Historic Landmark.

The park is approximately 10 miles southeast of Rochester, located south of the NYS Thruway I-90 in the Towns of Pittsford and Mendon. It is bordered by Clover Street on the west and Pittsford-Mendon Center Road on the east. Click these links for directions or a park map.

During our last visit, we used the Canfield Road entrance from Clover Street, turned right on Douglas Road, and followed the sign for beach area parking, on the right side. First we had to try out everything at the playground. My boys love the train and they will sit on it for the majority of our visit, each time. The train does not actually move, but they have fun pretending to be the engineer and driving to different locations. We stop at the Grand Canyon, New Jersey, and California. How's that for living large?!

The playground has smaller structures with slides and tunnels...

...as well as a larger structure with plenty to climb on and slide down. There are also swings (baby swings and regular swings), picnic tables, and restrooms. This area is stroller friendly, but the restrooms do not include baby changing tables.

After the playground, we walked to the pond to collect rocks. That's the Hundred Acre Pond in the background.

When we were finished in the beach area, we hopped back in the car to continue down Douglas Road, and kept to the right onto Pond Road until we reached the Nature Center, on the left. Sometimes you can see horses in the training area, adjacent to the parking lot. However, the horses were not out during our last visit. So we walked past the restrooms and Cottage Store, and into Sharon's Sensory Garden.

This garden is designed for people with visual or physical disabilities, and has features that highlight all of the senses. The plant labels are even in Braille. There are whimsical bells that jingle in the wind, or when a two-year-old is nearby.

There are wooden chimes that can become a symphony in the hands of a five-year-old.

The waterfall was not working during our visit, but the boys usually like to watch it and try to touch the water. Oh well.

When we exited the garden, they wanted to go exploring. There is a great path nearby through the woods that is fairly level (no climbing required) and goes in a big square, so you really can't get lost. Plus there are a few small shelters along the trail with interactive exhibits, designed to teach about the soil, animals, and plants found in the area. The exhibits have not been maintained well, but my kids still like to explore them.

The sensory garden is stroller-friendly, but the walking trail is not. While the path is level, there are still the obstacles of tree roots and rocks that would make it difficult to push a stroller. While there are restrooms by the Cottage Store, they do not offer baby changing tables.

Behind the Cottage Store and Sharon's Sensory Garden, you'll find Wild Wings, a not-for-profit educational organization that houses and cares for permanently injured birds of prey. It is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day except Wednesday and Thursday. We didn't have time to stop by, but right now you can visit 21 birds of prey and a bobcat named Tara.

These are just a few highlights within Mendon Ponds Park; there are so many more. In the summer you can hike a trail, utilize their boat launch, or go fishing. In the winter you can go sledding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. There is even a Mendon Ponds Winterfest in January.

If you haven't already visited, pack up a lunch, print out the map, and go explore. Be sure to Post A Comment and let us know about your experience. As always, thanks for reading.

Powder Mills Park Fish Hatchery

The first time we drove past Powder Mills Park, I was more interested in the "mushroom house" next to it. I took my son there specifically so I could get a better view of a home that looks like something straight out of the Ewok Village - Bright Tree Village on the Forest Moon of Endor, to be exact, for all you fanboys and fangirls out there. I love driving by and imagining what it would be like to actually live there.

Turns out the park is fun, too.

There are six pools holding tons and tons of trout at different ages. They are certainly not the prettiest fish, but they are still fun to watch. Bring quarters and a plastic cup or bag so you can buy fish food pellets from the dispensers at the park. When your kids throw the food into the water, the trout make a mad dash to get some. Caution: they splash, especially the big ones.

After we feed the fish, we usually stop by the two ponds. The first is next to the fish pools; there are usually some more trout in there as well as ducks and geese. (beware of goose feces as you walk around)

The second pond is across the park road. There are benches in the shade to enjoy the pond view, as well as a little dock for fishing or checking out the pond. My boys love to scare me by hanging over the railing on the dock. I hate being "that mom," you know, overly cautious. But at the same time, I do not want to have to jump into that pond. Ever. Gross.

Powder Mills Park Fish Hatchery is located at 115 Park Road in Pittsford, NY. There is a gazebo with picnic tables by the fish pools, so you can bring lunch or snacks. However, I have yet to find a restroom there. Thanks to my fellow ROCmomma Kim for providing the following information about the restrooms: They are located in the park office building adjacent to the six fish pools. Hours are limited to when the office is open.

Parking is free, and the park is stroller-friendly. If you have older children, there are some trails through the woods that can be fun. We started out on them once, but I quickly decided that we needed one adult per child at this stage, with a 2 1/2 and a 5 year old. When you walk back toward the parking lot, before crossing the bridge over the creek, follow the creek to the right into the woods and you'll see the worn trails. That part is definitely not stroller-friendly.

If you are looking for a low-key place to take the kids and get some fresh air, Powder Mills Park is a great place. If everyone still has energy to burn after visiting the Fish Hatchery, there are some other areas to stop along Park Road and visit more of Powder Mills Park.

Enjoy, and as always, thanks for reading.