Ellison Park

Park Information

At 447 acres, Ellison Park has the beauty of natural woodlands combined with steep slopes and the level flood plain of the Irondequoit Creek. Ellison has baseball diamonds and playgrounds equipment. Tennis courts are located in the park off Blossom Road. There are two designated sledding hills located in Ellison Park. A Canoe Launch located by the Circle Shelter allows you to canoe in Irondequoit Creek, fishing is allowed. Ellison Park has many trails, their locations are shown on the trail map. Fort Schuyler is another attraction that the park offers; this replica of the original Fort is a great attraction for the whole family.

This park has four enclosed lodges and six open-air shelters including the newly renovated Pavilion Lodge!

For information and reservations please call 585 753-PARK (7275) or go to our Online Parks Reservation System.

Location and Directions

The park office is located at 395 Rich’s Dugway, Rochester, NY 14625. The main entrance of this park is located east of route 590 on Blossom Road in the Town of Penfield.

Download PARK MAP

Click to get detailed directions

Rent Ellison Park's Pavilion Lodge HERE

Park Activities

Baseball/Softball
Biking
Disc Golf
Dog Park
Fishing
Geo-caching
Hiking/Running
Ice Skating
Kayaking/Canoeing
Kickball
Lodges and Shelters for Rent
Multi-use Athletic Fields
Pickle-ball
Playground
Sledding
Snowshoeing
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Proximity to pond and creek

History

Officially the first Monroe County Park, Ellison Park came into being in December of 1926. The county accepted approximately 200 acres of land from Mr. and Mrs. Frank T. Ellison in memory of Mr. Ellison’s father, Nathaniel. Ellison Park has been the hub of many historical events and locations. Indian Landing which was located on Irondequoit Creek, for many years was used by the indigenous Iroquois as the beginning of the portage route which stretched along Ellison Park.

The Lost City of Tryon, originally founded in hopes of creating a commercial settlement, used the Irondequoit Creek for trade. A store was built that bartered with the Seneca Indians, beginning its trading roots.

Rules and Regulations

Ellison Park is open daily 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. and has a carry in-carry out rule, which means you must take all your garbage with you for disposal after leaving the park. All pets must be leashed and you are responsible for cleaning up after them. Amplified music is not allowed at the South Lodge and the Island, Spruce, Circle and Sycamore Shelters.

Winter Park Hours

November 1st until March 31st, Monday through Thursday the park is open 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Lodges are available 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday through Sunday the park is open from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Lodges are available starting at 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Summer Park Hours

April 1st until October 31st, the park is open everyday from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Lodges and shelters are available to rent from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Restrooms

There are four restrooms located in the park. There is one located by the Disc Golf Course off Landing Road. There is another behind the Hazelwood Grove Lodge. Another facility is located by the Creekside Lodge. The last restroom is located by the Sycamore Shelter. All of the restrooms have flush toilets. See the park map for specific locations.

Trails

Before heading out to Ellison Park print the park map. The color coded hiking trails and additional details will keep you on the right track.

Coyote Den Trail, this 1.1 mile walk (one way) passes by a few ponds and walkers can expect to see many birds and other wildlife.

Overlook Trail, this .6 mile walk overlooks Thomas cove and the stone quarry.

Mill Race Trail, this .4 mile walk, shows the stages between wetlands and a forest.

Indian Landing Trail, this 1.5 mile walk, is full of history, from the location of an old trading post (Fort Schuyler), to the presumed famous Butlers’s Rangers hideout, marked with commemorative plaques.

Butlers Gap Trail, this .7 mile walk (one way) has many interesting historical features as well as an intersection that overlooks the wetlands.

Disc Golf

Disc golf is now open and ready for play. Conditions are good so enjoy the extra play time you have this year. If you've never played before, there's never been a better time to get out early and learn. COURSE MAP

Playgrounds

The playground equipment in Ellison Park is located in two different areas, one on each side of Blossom Road. See the park map for specific locations.

Sports Fields

The softball fields are located throughout the park, one by the Old Meadow Shelter, two along the road leading to the South Lodge, and two near the Sycamore and Circle Shelter. There are 4 tennis courts off Blossom Road. The Disc Golf Course is located along Landing Road, in between Park Road and Blossom Road.

Winter Activities

Ellison Park offers one designated sledding hill, and an ice skating rink. The sledding hill is located off of Landing Road by the Disc Golf Course. The ice skating rink is located in the large parking lot off of Blossom Road. There are no skate rentals, you must bring your own. For rink and sledding hill conditions call 585 753-PARK (7275) or 585 753-7270 on weekends.

Water Activities

Fishing is allowed in Irondequoit Creek with fishing license for people over the age of 16. There is a car-top Boat Launch located on the south side of the park, near Circle Shelter. For fish regulations (size and season) please contact the County Clerk’s Office.

Ellison Park Area Master Plan Update

Monroe County is developing plans to improve the Ellison Area Parks. The DRAFT Master Plan Update from the consultant was reviewed at the Parks Advisory Committee meeting on 2/26/09 and is now posted here for your review. Please direct any comments regarding the DRAFT Master Plan Update to this e-mail address or the Monroe County Department of Parks at 171 Reservoir Ave., Rochester, NY 14620. The Parks Advisory Committee will consider the plan at its next meeting, scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the Monroe County Parks Office at 171 Reservoir Avenue in Highland Park. In order to accommodate public comment to the fullest extent, while also providing the Parks Department, its Master Plan consultant and the Parks Advisory Committee with ample time to review the comments, the deadline for submission will be: Monday, March 16, 2009 at Noon. Comments received after the deadline will continue to be received and catalogued for inclusion in the final appendix of public comment, up until the conclusion of the master plan update process.