When I was a kid, this park was known as Linear Park, and we used to come to the park to practice softball. The park back then wasn’t nearly as impressive as it is now. The park has grown with trails that run alongside Irondequoit Creek, making Channing Philbrick Park a great place to hike, fish, or just cool off on a hot day.
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Hiking Channing Philbrick Park
There are several trails at Channing Philbrick Park, the Honey Creek Trail, the Mills Trail, and the Channing Philbrick Park Trail. Irondequoit Creek features prominently in the landscape of these trails. There are places within the creek where large rocks create beautiful rapids. There is a small waterfall off the side of the trail not far from the top parking lot. This waterfall is water table dependent and isn’t always flowing, but it is charming when it is.
The trails at Channing Philbrick Park run along the creek, and numerous small trails lead right to the water, providing incredible vistas. Several elevated wooden boardwalks look out over the water. The trails here are, for the most part, flat and wide.
Word of warning: When we were hiking the lower end of the Channing Philbrick Trail (the Panorama Valley end), we noticed a large amount of poison ivy along the trail (even the open part) and throughout the woods.
Fishing & Cooling Off
This is a popular destination for fishermen for the large amount of Rainbow Trout in the creek. Brown trout and largemouth bass are also found here.
This park is also a popular place for people to cool off on a hot day. Swimming is not allowed here, but that doesn’t stop people from wading and enjoying the crisp cool water. The long stretch of trail makes it easy for people to spread out and enjoy the creek without feeling crowded. We saw people bring chairs and picnic baskets, preparing to enjoy the day.
Wintertime at Channing Philbrick Park
This park is also breathtaking in the wintertime. Not only is this a fantastic place to take a winter hike, but to also perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Our hike here in the winter was amazing. The way the snow covered the trees, rocks, and the ice sparkling along the water is incredibly enchanting.
Park Facilities
There are playground facilities for the kids to play on and a large picnic pavilion that can be rented. This is an excellent picnic park.
Getting to Channing H. Philbrick Park
Address: 1 Linear Park Drive, Penfield
Google Map Link
