The 2012-13 Winter Adventures program, brought to you by the Bureau of Recreation, Wegmans and MVP Healthcare, provides many opportunities to experience, learn about, and appreciate Rochester's great and unique outdoors.
Savor Winter with Outdoor and Indoor Ice Skating
Outdoors at Manhattan Square Park:
Open Skate: Monday through Friday, Noon to 1:30 p.m., 3:40-5:10
p.m., 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., also Tuesday through Thursday. 7:20-8:50 p.m.
(if not rented).
- Indoors at Genesee Valley Park Sports Complex:
Open Skate: Sun., 2:30-3:45 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, noon to 1:15 p.m., Saturday, 5 to 6:15 p.m.
Adult Skate: Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30-11:45 a.m.,
Friday, 10 to 11:15 a.m.
Fees for both indoor & outdoor skating:
- Adults-$5,
- 17 and under-$2,
- Families-$14,
- Season Pass for Manhattan Square Park-$60,
- Season Pass for Genesee Valley-$125.
City rinks offer winter season activities including figure skating lessons, broom ball, ice hockey & more. Group rentals available.
Barking Up The Giant Trees
Learn how to identify 10 different species of trees, just from their bark and branches! We’ll wander among the mighty giants of the Washington Grove forest at Cobb’s Hill Park. You’ll also see how the City is working to protect the Grove and control invasive species such as Norway maples. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2 to 3:30 pm. Take the road up to the Reservoir off Highland Avenue. Meet by the pine trees at the top of the hill.
Saturday Snowshoe Hiking and Sports
Learn the basics of walking on the snow in snowshoes while discovering the beauty of the outdoors in winter. Look for the Rec on the Move van at some of these Saturday activities. Snowshoes provided FREE. Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m.
Jan. 5: Adams Street Community Center - 85 Adams Street
Jan.12: Avenue D Community Center - 200 Avenue D
Jan. 19: South Avenue Community Center - 999 South Avenue
Jan. 26: Edgerton Community Center - 41 Backus Street
Feb. 2: Flint Street Community Center - 271 Flint Street
Or... Try snowshoeing out on your own at any time! Snowshoe Rentals available from City Recreation Bureau, 400 Dewey Ave., 9 a.m. to -4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, $10 per weekend, $25 for families. For more information, call 428-6755. map
Sunday Park Hikes
Explore all our city's great outdoors has to offer. Bring your family and friends for a wonderful winter hike. Snowshoes available for the hike at no charge. Sundays, 1to 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 6: Pulaski Park, meet at the corner of Avenue D and Carter Street
Jan.13: Highland Park, meet in front of Conservatory
Jan. 20: Turning Point Park, off Lake Ave. at the end of Boxart St.
Feb. 3: Cobbs Hill Reservoir and Washington Grove, meet along fence at east end of reservoir
February 10: Lakeside Winter Celebration hike from Port Terminal building to Turning Point Park, meet outside terminal entrance.
Lakeside Winter Celebration Sunday, February 10, 11 am–4 pm
Join us at Ontario Beach Park for our outstanding winter celebration, including the 3rd Annual Lake Ontario Ice Wine Festival!
See the Lakeside Winter Celebration page for the full list of events and activities, and schedule! Activities and events include:
Outdoor Children’s Games, Frostbiter’s Sailboat Racing, Chilly Chili Challenge, Dog Sled Demo, Snow Sculpture Contest, Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, the 13th Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics, and much more.
Earth Explorers
A year-round environmental education program in the recreation centers, connecting youth to nature. Register for the Earth Explorers program at your neighborhood recreation center. Go to the Earth Explorers Page.
Snow Cheap Trail Race Series
Wednesdays: Dec. 19, Jan. 2, Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27.
6:45 p.m. registration 7:15 p.m. race start
Meet at Lake Riley Lodge, Norris Dr. and Culver Rd., Cobb’s Hill Park. Preregistration required no later than 6:45 p.m. on the day of race. Races will be held snow or no snow, snowshoes or no snowshoes. Post-race party, door prizes and fun! Regular price: One race is $10; entire series $45. Bring or mail registration to Fleet Feet Sports. To register online go to www.fleetfeetrochester.com, under events scroll to Snow Cheap Trail Race Series, print application. Snowshoes for rent at Fleet Feet Sports, 2210 Monroe Ave., 732-1090 and the City of Rochester Bureau of Recreation, 400 Dewey Avenue 428-6755. Reserve yours at registration (limited rental). Head lamps are required.
Urban Gardening is Growing!
Gardening can be inexpensive, fun and a great family activity. These workshops will cover a wide range of topics, from houseplants to starting seeds indoors. Saturdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 9: Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Blvd.
Feb. 16: Charlotte Branch Library, 3557 Lake Avenue
Feb. 23: Monroe Branch Library, 809 Monroe Ave
March 2: Winton Road Branch Library , 611Winton Road
Also consider entering our Winter Garden Contest: Yeah, we're serious! There's much you can do to make a garden beautiful even in winter. Deadline for entry is Feb. 29, 2012. Submit your application at the link above.
Learn More!
There are many other opportunities to learn about growing flowers and vegetables this winter. Check out these websites:
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of MonroeCounty: www.MYCCE.org/Monroe
• Rochester Civic Garden Center: www.RCGC.org
• NOFA-NY: www.NOFANY.org
• Rochester Roots: www.RochesterRoots.org
Passport to Family Wellness
Next time you’re at Wegmans look for the “Passport to Family Wellness” brochure. Inside the brochure you’ll find information about trails in the region.
The Winter Farmers Market
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 249 Highland Ave., Wednesdays, 3 to 6 p.m. through May 8, 2013.
Use the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transporation Authority's Trip Planner to get a bus to these activities