Mendon Ponds Park Winterfest | Monroe County, NY

Rev 7/07/2020

All Monroe County Park’s lodges, shelters, will be open starting July 1st, 2020. All reservations for the foreseeable future must comply with New York State guidelines and limitations concerning social distancing, including but not limited to limitations on number of people to gather. As of June 22nd 2020, we have begun taking new reservations with restrictions. To make a reservation use our online system or call our office at 585-753-7275.

Any cancellation requests should be e-mailed to MCParks@monroecounty.gov for refund consideration. Please check back for future updates.

Winterfest 2020

Sunday, February 23rd

Bring the whole family and come on out to Mendon Ponds Park for a FREE, fun-filled, action-packed day, brought to you by County Executive Adam J. Bello, and the Monroe County Department of Parks!
The event is spread throughout the park, including the Nature Center area, East & West Lodges, Cavalry House Lodge, Cobblestone House, Evergreen Shelter, Hopkins Point Lodge, on the trails, on the sledding hills, and on the ponds!
Event runs from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm

Activities include:
- Arts & Crafts, Kids Activities
- Free Sleigh Hay Rides provided by Heberle Stables at Hopkins Point Lodge
- Sledding- in designated areas, near East Lodge and Cavalry Lodge, only.
- Food & Refreshments- for sale at East/West Lodge Area.
- Demos and Try-it opportunities at many booths/stations.
- Hikes and Learning Opportunities

Organizations setting up a booth/station include:
- Nature Center Area (including Wild Wings, Inc. and Sheriff’s Horse Barn)
  - Monroe County Sheriff: Mounted Patrol (DEPENDENT ON SERVICE CALLS)
  - Monroe County Sheriff: Snowmobile Unit (DEPENDENT ON SERVICE CALLS)
  - Monroe County Forestry: Chain Saw Demo
  - Genesee Valley Audubon Society (GVAS): Chickadee Feeding & Nature Hikes on Birdsong Trail, and Bird ID
  - Wild Wings, Inc.: Birds of Prey Educational Demos & Programs
  - Free hot chocolate and coffee inside the Nature Center(Limited Supply)
- East and West Lodge Area
  - Monroe County Parks Department, Recreation & Education Division: Winter Recreation Opportunities in the 21 County Parks
  - GeoROC, Geocachers of the Rochester Area: Info display and props providing overview of Geocaching. Live demos/Try-it & Q&A
  - Seneca Park Zoo: Zoo Mobile (12:00pm-2:00pm only)
  - Sledding: next to East Lodge
  - REFRESHMENTS from Chef's Catering- fresh, and local food (available for purchase)
  - Free hot chocolate and coffee inside the East Lodge(Limited Supply)
- Cobblestone House
  - Sock Making & Spinning Guild: Demonstrations
  - Rochester Academy of Science, Astronomy Section: Solarscope, astronomy books, brochures, giveaways, displays, and a slideshow
  - Rochester Academy of Science, Mineral Section: Minerals from New York State and elsewhere
  - Rochester Academy of Science, Fossil Section: The Fossils of New York and the World
- Hopkins Point Lodge and Pondview Shelter area
  - Rochester Orienteering Club: Beginner Ski-Orienteering and Snowshoe-Orienteering course, with instruction provided.
- South Meadow Trail
  - Seneca Siberian Husky Club: Sled Dog Race at 11am, Meet & Greet until 1pm only (TRAIL ITSELF CLOSED TO GENERAL USE DURING RACES. FOR YOUR SAFETY, AND DOG TEAM SAFETY, NO OTHER DOGS ALLOWED NEAR RACE COURSE.)
- Stewart Lodge Area
  - Rochester Cross Country Ski Foundation: Program Information
  - Rochester Nordic Ski Club: Table displays, Groomed trails, and information for County wide offerings
  - Massasaugua Search & Rescue Team: Search & Rescue Tools Display, and Meet a K9 Search & Rescue Dog
  - Honeoye Falls/Mendon Volunteer Ambulance Corps: On-Site EMS, Ambulance Tours, Info Table, and Blood Pressure Checks
  - Green Spark Solar Energy: A local, employee-owned B Corp providing information about powering your home with clean, local solar energy.
  - GROC: Genesee Regional Off-road Cyclist information table
- Cavalry Lodge
  - Monroe County Department of Environmental Services: Recycling Education
  - Girl Scouts: Information table
  - Cornell Cooperative ectention: Information table
  - Snow Man station: across Douglas Road from Cavalry Lodge
  - Sledding: across Douglas Road from Cavalry Lodge
- Evergreen Shelter
  - Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK): Snowshoe Demo/Try-It and a 6-mile/3-hour Hilly Hike at 10:30am (meet at 10:15; bring a lunch)
  - Traction Devices (for Hiking & Walking) Display
- North Meadow Trail
  - Open Cross-Country Skiing on Groomed Trails
- Youth Camping area
  - Bon-fire
  - Heberle Stables: Hay Rides

Important Information

Parking- at each shelter, lodge, or parking lot.
Bathrooms- there are flush toilet facilities, portapotties, and pit toilets conveniently distributed throughout the park.
Staying Warm- each lodge has a warming fire.
Winterfest 2020 will be held on February 23^rd, 2020

print this page email this page back to top