Play Area: Natural Playground
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Abraham Lincoln Park – Play Area
Location: Penfield, NY Abraham Lincoln Park (formerly Bay Park East) is located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. This is one of our favorite play areas in the area! There is a traditional playground next to the parking lot, but down the hill is a newly renovated natural log play area. There is a small log… Read more
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Abraham Lincoln Park – White Trail
Location: Penfield, NY Abraham Lincoln Park (formerly Bay Park East) is located 10 minutes east of Rochester, NY. The White Trail begins at the main parking lot off of Empire Boulevard behind the Play Area. The trail begins with a downhill section past a small evergreen tree grove. The white trail can make a short… Read more
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Audubon Community Nature Center – Nature Play Area
ocation: Jamestown, NY This nature center is located 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, NY. One great spot in this nature center is the nature play area. Follow the painted animal prints on the paved path to a beautiful wooded area with large animals to climb on, wooden logs… Read more
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Clark Reservation State Park – Cliff Trail
Location: Jamesville, NY This state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY near Syracuse. This park has restrooms, an interpretive center, gardens, a nature theme playground, and nature trails. The Cliff Trail is a 0.62 mile trail that starts near the main parking area by the interpretive center. It can be made into… Read more
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Clark Reservation State Park – Nature Play Area
Location: Jamesville, NY This state park is located 1.5 hours east of Rochester, NY near Syracuse. This park has restrooms, an interpretive center, gardens, nature trails, and a nature themed play area. The play area has a traditional playground structure as well as natural elements and informational signs for kids. Map: Trail Map Official Website:… Read more
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Glen Park
Location: Williamsville, NY We visited this beautiful park on a recent trip to Buffalo, located 1.5 hours west of Rochester, NY. We parked near the Nature Play Playground which had fun signs for kids, a mural, a pavilion, a Little Free Library, and beautiful hand painted benches. We walked across the street to the view… Read more
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Greece Town Campus Walking Path
Location: Greece, NY The Greece Town Hall Campus Walking Trail is located 20 minutes northwest of Rochester near the Greece Public Library and Community Center. There is a 1/2 mile paved, accessible, stroller friendly path around the pond that includes a StoryWalk, benches, exercise stations, dock platform, Little Free Library, and pickleball court. Near this… Read more
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Highland Forest County Park – Hiking Trails
Location: Fabius, NY This beautiful park is located south of Syracuse, NY and 2 hours east of Rochester, NY. Highland Forest County Park contains over 20 miles of year-round trails and is known as the “Adirondacks of Central New York.” Near the Skyline Lodge is the start of several types of trails: hiking/snowshoeing trails, skiing/mountain biking… Read more
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Highland Forest County Park – Skyline Lodge
Location: Fabius, NY This beautiful park is located south of Syracuse, NY and 2 hours east of Rochester, NY. Highland Forest County Park contains over 20 miles of year-round trails and is known as the “Adirondacks of Central New York.” The lodge has a huge parking lot, Little Free Library, deck with a beautiful view,… Read more
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Highland Park – Gary Beikirch Memorial Park
Location: Rochester, NY The memorial section of Highland Park was renamed to Beikirch Memorial Park in recognition of Vietnam Veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch. To visit this park, we park at Lilac Adventure Zone (natural log playground) and enter the park near the restrooms along Highland Ave. There are several memorials… Read more
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Highland Park – Lilac Adventure Zone
Location: Rochester, NY Lilac Adventure Zone, located in the City of Rochester NY, is part of Highland Park. There is a natural play area made of logs for climbing and playing plus some benches, picnic tables, large parking lot, and restrooms. There is a tiny 0.1 mile walking path in a loop around the play… Read more
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Highland Park – Walking Path
Location: Rochester, NY Highland Park is one of my favorite parks in the Rochester area. There is so much to see in any season. I spend a lot of my visits walking along the paved walking path. While there are some stairs, they can be avoided! There are some hills, many benches, a reservoir, and… Read more
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Ithaca Children’s Garden
Location: Ithaca, NY This is a magical and wonderful place to walk around in Ithaca, located 1.5 hours southeast of Rochester. There is so much to do! There is a giant turtle you can walk on, multiple gardens, a play area, story walk, music garden, troll house, playground, and so much more! Important Info from… Read more
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Letchworth State Park – Highbanks Recreation Area Playground
Location: Mt Morris, NY This park is located 1 hour southwest of Rochester, NY. The Highbanks Recreation Area is located at the northern end of the park, near the town of Mt. Morris. The playground is fantastic – with unique, nature-themed features, informational signs, and some inclusive elements. Behind the playground is access to the Highbanks… Read more
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Mendon Ponds Park – Birdsong Fairy Trail
Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY This super fun trail located 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY is lined with fairy doors and fairy houses that are painted on and built into the trees. There are other whimsical treasures and informative displays to be found along the path. This trail is stroller friendly with a durable stroller, with… Read more
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Mendon Ponds Park – Log Play Area
Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY Mendon Ponds Park is located 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY. The natural log play area is located near Wild Wings Nature Center and birds of prey sanctuary, Sharon’s Sensory Garden, and the Birdsong Fairy Trail. There are large logs to climb over and inside of, a wooden table and several other… Read more
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Mendon Ponds Park – Sharon’s Sensory Garden
Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY This beautiful garden is located in Mendon Ponds Park, 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY. I obviously did not visit at the right time – this garden would be much better in spring or summer when things are in bloom and not covered in snow! This sensory garden is located right next to… Read more
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Mendon Ponds Park – Wild Wings Nature Center
Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY We really enjoyed our visit to Wild Wings at Mendon Ponds Park after hiking the Birdsong Fairy Trail and playing at the natural log play area. We walked around and enjoyed looking at the birds of prey. If you’re looking for an alternative to the zoo for looking at animals, it helps… Read more
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Northampton Park – Alpine Adventure Zone
Location: Spencerport, NY This natural wooden play area is located 20 minutes west of Rochester, NY. From the Monroe County Parks website: ” The playground is free and open to the public and features a number of fallen logs, tunnels, towers, swings and even a log cabin fort for kids to enjoy. The playground was created mostly… Read more
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Northampton Park – Victory Fairy Trail at Springdale Farm
Location: Spencerport, NY This short fairy house trail is located at Springdale Farm 20 minutes west of Rochester, NY. To reach the fairy trail, follow the 0.2 mile paved path with a slight incline through the farm and toward the woods. There are some beautiful apple trees and a lovely pond with a nice deck… Read more
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Boardwalk
Location: Depew, NY This wonderful nature preserve is located a little over an hour west of Rochester, NY. Brick paths lead to a network of trails and a woodchip path to a natural log play area. There is a short (less than 0.1 mile), accessible boardwalk trail that starts near the main entrance. The end… Read more
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Lily Pond Loop
Location: Depew, NY This wonderful nature preserve is located a little over an hour west of Rochester, NY. Brick paths lead to a network of trails and a woodchip path to a natural log play area. This 0.3 mile flat path over crushed stone and mowed grass circles Lily Pond. The trail has views of… Read more
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Play Area
Location: Depew, NY This wonderful nature preserve is located a little over an hour west of Rochester, NY. Brick paths lead to a network of trails and a woodchip path to a natural log play area. The play area had some benches, a tiny wood bridge, logs, stumps, and fire pit. The nature preserve entrance… Read more
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – State Symbols Trail
Location: Depew, NY This wonderful nature preserve is located a little over an hour west of Rochester, NY. Brick paths lead to a network of trails and a woodchip path to a natural log play area. The State Symbols Trail is a 0.1 mile flat stone dust path but can only be reached by hiking… Read more
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RMSC Cumming Nature Center – Beaver Trail
Location: Naples, NY RMSC Cumming Nature Center is located an hour south of Rochester, NY. The Beaver Trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail starts with a walk through the picturesque red pine stand. The trail follows a creek and passes through marsh and meadow habitats and leads to a 35-acre beaver pond. The path through… Read more
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RMSC Cumming Nature Center – Gnome Roam (SEASONAL)
Location: Naples, NY 🚨 Read this before visiting!!! This is a seasonal trail exhibit. Check the RMSC Gnome Roam Website to check for open dates 🚨 This 0.75 mile long whimsical trail is located at RMSC Cumming Nature Center, one hour south of Rochester, NY. The Gnome Roam is only open in winter (mid December… Read more
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RMSC Cumming Nature Center – Natural Play Area
Location: Naples, NY RMSC Cumming Nature Center is located an hour south of Rochester, NY. Near the visitor center is a natural play area. There is a wooden play house, stone frogs and turtles, and logs for climbing. This play area is located near the famous red pine stand and many other hiking trails. $$… Read more
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Sandbar Park
Location: Webster, NY This new little park is located just northeast of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. There is an accessible path along the water with beautiful views, especially at sunset. The path is quite short (about 0.2 miles or so) but there is also a sidewalk path along the road and… Read more
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Saunders Finger Lakes Museum – Natural Playscape
Location: Branchport, NY The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum is located 1 hour southeast of Rochester, NY. There are nature trails, a kayak launch, story walk, and a natural playscape. Other exhibits are currently under construction. The natural playscape is a fun spot for children to play with natural elements. There is a sand box, an… Read more
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Trillium Nature Center – Nature Playground
Location: North Java, NY This Buffalo Audubon Society nature center (formerly Beaver Meadows Nature Center) is located 1.25 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 40 minutes from Buffalo. A short walk from the interpretive center is the nature play area. There are some neat features for kids such as a swing, a willow tunnel and… Read more
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The Wild Center – Pines Play Area
Location: Tupper Lake, NY The Wild Center is located in the Adirondacks 4 hours northeast of Rochester, NY. The Pines Play Area is a clearing in the woods for children to use natural materials for imaginative play. There is a lean-to, sticks, logs, and even a tipped over tree to climb on! The Wild Center… Read more