2025 First Day Cocoa + Critter Stroll
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Genesee Land Trust invites people of all ages and abilities for a special cocoa toast to celebrate the return of the fisher to Brookdale Preserve. The fisher – a very important member of the forest - was once hunted nearly to extinction for its thick dark fur. But now, thanks to decades of conservation, we’re finally starting to see the fisher again.
Start your new year with this fun-for-everyone stroll to look for signs of the fisher and learn more about this special tree-climbing critter, like why it’s sometimes called a “fisher cat” when it doesn’t eat much fish and isn’t a cat at all!
Genesee Land Trust will provide warm drinks and light snacks - please bring a mug. We will also be collecting nonperishable items for the state’s food drive.
We’ll start on the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail at Brook Road and go north toward Black Creek. Your outdoor adventure can be up to 4 miles – it’s 2 miles to the scenic double-arched stone culvert over the water, then 2 miles back. Move at your own pace and for as long or short as you like. Advance registration is appreciated for planning but not required.
Please bring a mug for cocoa and non-perishable items for the state park food drive.
Accessibility: If you have a disability or medical condition that impacts you, please contact Genesee Land Trust at info@geneseelandtrust.org or use the registration form to share ways to help make your First Day experience an outstanding one. Given holiday staffing, early requests for an ASL interpreter are appreciated. An ADA porta potty will be in the parking lot, and some spaces will be reserved for accessible parking.
The first 1.5 miles of the trail features a hard stone dust surface, leading to a road crossing. Beyond the crossing, the trail continues for about half a mile as a hard packed dirt and grass path with some dips and a few roots, ending at the turnaround point. Depending on weather conditions, the last half mile near the turnaround may become muddy. No part of the trail is plowed and there are no benches along the trail.
The parking lot is dirt and there’s a grassy/snowy incline up to the road-level trail entrance. There is a short, narrow path from the parking lot to the trailhead that includes a 2-degree slope for 10 feet, followed by a steeper slope of 8–11 degrees over 6 feet. The video below is available that demonstrates the route from the trail back to the parking lot (see video below). An optional accessible drop-off point will be available on both sides of the road at the trail entrance for those unable to navigate the trail connecting the parking lot to the trailhead. Please let us know if getting out at the trail level would be easier. No cars may be parked here.
A hot cocoa station will be set up near the parking lot, with a second, smaller station located near the accessible drop-off point.
Our inclusion point of contact is Elliotte Bowerman at ebowerman@geneseelandtrust.org or 585.256.2130. They are happy to answer any questions.
Dress warmly and wear boots! Depending on snowfall, you might want to bring snowshoes if you have them. You can learn more about the Brookdale Preserve where we’ll start by visiting our website: Brookdale Preserve — Genesee Land Trust
Meetup Location: Brook Road Parking lot/Brookdale Preserve (66 Brook Road)
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.