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Your inside look at what’s happening on Webster’s trails

6 Nov

I got my digital newsletter from the Friends of Webster Trails the other day. It’s my quarterly reminder about all of the amazing things this group is doing for our community, and an opportunity to share some of those things with you all.

You can read the whole newsletter for yourself here on the Friends of Webster Trails website, but here are some of the highlights:

Improvements to the Hojack Trail

If you’re a regular trail user, you’ve probably already seen all of the recent improvements made to the Hojack Trail. Thanks to a large grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Trails Maintenance Fund, over the summer months, the Friends worked hard through the summer, resurfacing the entire stretch between Holt and Drumm roads. The new surface solves a lot of recurring drainage problems, and is also suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.

In the weeks since the resurfacing was completed, new bollards have been installed to prevent motorized vehicles from driving on the trail. Still to come: benches, kiosks, informational panels, new wayfinding signage and new plantings.

New Herman Rd. Trail

Back in August, the Friends officially introduced another brand new trail system, the Herman Road Forever Wild Forest, located on Herman Rd. east of Pellett Rd. The mature forest features two miles of easy and intermediate trails, which connect with the pink and orange trails at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve. (Click here to read the blog I wrote after the ribbon-cutting.)

Trail counter program

The Friends’ trail counter program has continued apace this year. The goal of the project is to try to get a handle on how many people are actually using the trails and which trails are most popular. Knowing which trails are more heavily used, and which might then need the most care, will help the Friends target their limited maintenance funds to where they’re most needed.

The trail counting gadget is being deployed methodically across all 28 miles of trails which stretch throughout our town. The numbers they’ve seen so far are surprising. Click here to read more.

Eagle Scouts have been working hard

Here’s a quick rundown on some of the projects completed this year by our Webster Eagle Scout candidates:

  • Whiting Road Nature Preserve: Two old boardwalks were removed, new boardwalks were installed, and a new bench was added.
  • Hojack Trail at Lake Road: A new kiosk was built at the Lake Rd. trailhead, replacing one removed during the reconstruction of the trail at Lake Road.
  • Vosburg Hollow Nature Trail: The bridge over Shipbuilders Creek was replaced. It was a huge project, which you’ll read more about in another blog soon.
  • Bird Sanctuary Trail: Two benches were replaced, and a table added.
  • State Road Nature Preserve: Three new benches and a table were installed, along with three new boardwalks along the creek, and a new kiosk at the parking lot trailhead.
  • Four Mile Creek Preserve: This trail system saw some major maintenance. One puncheon section was rebuilt, another section was added, a bench was repaired, and a table was installed.

Kiosks sport new look

Speaking of kiosks, you might have noticed how the trailhead kiosks are all getting a fresh, more professional look. They’ve been newly stained and they’ll all soon include updated rules, regulations, maps and history panels.

ReTree effort

The Friends’ ReTree effort has been busy this year.

The Webster ReTree Project was begun in 2022 to address the loss of forests to insects and disease, by raising and planting a variety of native trees. Its two objectives are to improve the ecological resiliency of forested habitat and to increase public knowledge of the threats to local forest ecology. This year’s accomplishments include:

  • Potting more than 300 seedlings for the ReTree nursery
  • Planting 30 large pollinator-friendly plants along the Hojack Trail between Klem and Hard roads.  
  • Repotted seedlings as they outgrew their pots, kept the nursery weeded and watered during the very dry summer.

There was lots more in the newsletter about trail improvements made this year, including a new side trail at the Michael A. Johnson Preserve, and an extended Blue Trail and new viewing area at the State Rd. Preserve. Click here to go to the newsletter and read more about all of these great enhancements.

And don’t forget about the Hot Cocoa Hike this Saturday Nov. 8. This year’s evening hike is at Finn Park at 7 p.m., just days after the full Beaver Moon, so the conditions should be excellent! Register online so they know how much cocoa to make, and bring your own cup and flashlight.

Click here to read more about it and to register.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/6/2025)

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Great friends, great races, great fun

23 Oct

Most of you know by now that I consider myself a runner, and as part of the Webster Village Runners, I run every Tuesday night with a group of fellow running and walking enthusiasts. (We meet at Ploty’s. Join us!) I like to feature this group in my blog every once in a while, because it’s just a terrific bunch of people, and I have so much fun with them.

Occasionally we participate as a “team” at different races around town, and today I’d like to highlight two recent ones.

The first took place last Friday afternoon Oct. 17 at the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp in Rush. Sponsored by the Rochester Rotary every year, it was called the Trail Mix 5K and Beer Fest, and took runners along wooded paths and walkways for three miles through and around this beautiful facility. And true to its name, after the race, runners were treated to a real festival, where perhaps a dozen Rochester-area breweries handed out generous samples of their beers. Plus there was live music and dancing and prizes, old friends and new. It was great.

I signed up for this race in large part because I knew it was a worthy cause, and I like to support worthy causes. I knew a little about Sunshine Camp, which is a fully-accessible residential summer camp for children with physical challenges. But I didn’t know a whole lot about it and was intrigued to think that the property was big enough and wooded enough for an actual 5k trail run. It most definitely was, and I discovered that the trails were just a small part of this incredible camp.

I learned that Rotary Sunshine is a 157-acre camp, a magical place where more than 2,500 children and young adults with special needs come to every summer just to … well, be kids … without worrying about wheelchairs, medications, or being “different.” Along the trails I ran by a tree house, climbing wall, zip line, splash pad, playground, a lake — and an actual TRAIN! It’s like a child’s magical dream, where the most fun things you can imagine are all in one place.

About 120 runners participated that day, ages 6 to 84, and the money raised through our entry fees went straight to support Sunshine Camp. I did OK (not a big fan of trail racing); I took second in my age group and came home with a medal. (Of course, there were only two in my age group.) The post-race music and beer and snacks were excellent.

Well done, Rochester Rotary. I’ll be back next year.

This next Webster Village Runners team event took place just two days later at the inaugural Boos and Brews 5K held at Charles Sexton Park last Sunday morning.

About 160 runners and walkers participated, which was pretty good given it was just the first time it was held in the Rochester area. It was a perfect autumn day and the park was in full color. Runners were encouraged to wear costumes, and there were some really cute ones. And two Village Runners got to put on some ghoul masks and jump out and scare the runners. A portion of the proceeds was donated to the Friends of Webster Trails.

After the race, runners were encouraged to meet for some socializing at the Mary Wee Pub, where owner Mark Petzing offered drink specials for the participants (thanks, Mark!). I made some new friends and even recruited a new Village Runner.

It was lots of fun, especially being with my Village Runner friends, and I’m already looking forward to next year.

Here’s a slideshow from the day:

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/23/2025)

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The numbers don’t lie: we really LOVE our trails

16 Oct

Not long ago, I got a behind-the-scenes look at an important initiative being undertaken by the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT). They call it their “Trail Counter Study,” and it’s an effort to determine how much our trails are being used.

I’ve been a huge supporter of the all-volunteer Friends of Webster Trails for years, and I frequently hike the trails they work so hard to build and maintain. So I’ve always known that the trails are very popular.

But I had no idea just how popular.

Two years ago, the Friends purchased a trail counter — a heavy-duty, military-looking gadget which uses an infrared beam to record the number of people who cross its path. Its operation is pretty simple; basically, the counter is attached to a tree on one side of a path, it shoots its beam across to a reflector on the opposite side of the path. When someone interrupts the beam, he or she is counted.

Richard adjusts the counter

It’s a daunting project. Thanks to the Friends’ efforts, our town now boasts an amazing 28 miles of trails, stretching from Lake Rd. to the north to State Rd. south of the village. And eventually, they want to compile stats on every individual trail in the system.

FWT volunteers John Boettcher and Richard Murray are leading the project. The day I got my behind-the-scenes peek at the operation was a beautiful early-autumn day, ideal for a hike. John and Richard led me perhaps a half mile to the Green Trail at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve to where the counter had been installed days earlier. I watched as they worked together, adjusting the counter on the tree, and carefully calibrating the infrared beam so it would reflect accurately across the trail and back.

They’ve become a well-coordinated team. Before Richard came on board as a volunteer about 18 months ago, John often found himself trying to juggle both responsibilities, doing a kind of back-and-forth dance as he tried to precisely aim the beam. By himself, it took “forever,” John said. “I’d aim and go over and move it and go back.” But working together, he and John finished the job in less than a half hour.

The trail counting project was in large part prompted by COVID. On weekends during the shutdown, John said, so many people were using the trails that “you couldn’t park your cars in the lots. They were parking along the roads. So that prompted the question, ‘How much are the trails being used?'” Knowing which trails are more popular, and which might then need the most care, will help the Friends target their limited maintenance funds to where they’re most needed.

Accurate data is also important for when the Friends apply for grants. Typically, grantors want to know how and where the money will be used, and whether it’s actually necessary. Having hard data helps the Friends make their case.

Right now the Friends only have one counter (they’re rather expensive), which they’re methodically deploying on one trail after another, usually leaving it in place for about a week to get a full seven days worth of data. They’ve already installed it near the main access points of each of our trail systems, but are still working on getting it onto every individual trail within those systems. And there are a lot of them.

The data they’ve collected so far is pretty impressive. For example, in just one week, more than 1,000 people visited Gosnell Big Woods. That’s an estimated 50,000 people a year, and even if the counter is recording both the coming and going of a visitor at a main trail head, those counts are still huge. The Bird Sanctuary Trail and Gosnell Big Woods are also seeing very big numbers, almost reaching a thousand a week at certain locations.

The counter also provides hourly data which can be used to examine the most popular times of day for trail usage. But that’s a project for a later date.

Thanks to their trail counter, there’s a lot of data pouring in, but there’s a lot more to learn. Knowing how many people use the trails is a start, but the FWT would also like to determine WHO the users are — hikers, dog walkers, bikers? Unfortunately, the counter can’t help with that stat. What the Friends really need are observers to actually sit along the trails and tally the different categories of trail users. If you’re interested in helping with this, please contact John Boettcher at john2w3b@gmail.com.

Which leads me to my regular public service announcement. If you’re one of those thousands of people who use our trails and you’re STILL not a member, please consider becoming one. It only costs $15 (individual) or $20 (family) a year, and your donation will help them continue to do great things for our community.

But better yet, become a volunteer. Join their work parties. Sit on a trail some beautiful day this fall to count and chat with hikers. Email John for more information about that, or check out the Friends of Webster Trails website for more volunteer opportunities.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/10/2025)

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Good news from the Arboretum and the Hojack

10 Sep

I got some email updates recently about two beloved Webster attractions that are back in action after undergoing some much-needed repairs.

First, the newly reconstructed Robert and Carroll Manning Bridge at the Webster Arboretum was officially welcomed back Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

It took several months to complete the work, and strong support from the Webster community helped make it happen. Back in July the Arboretum set up a GoFundMe page to help raise the estimated $12,000 needed to reconstruct it. That effort collected more than $6,000 alone, and the donations are still coming in. The folks at the Arboretum are incredibly grateful for that support.

Wendy Mendola from the Arboretum wrote,

Constructed in 2017, the Carol Manning bridge has become an essential part of the community landscape. In addition to its aesthetic value, the bridge holds significant symbolic importance to the arboretum, having been funded by community contributions and named to honor two long-term benefactors. For the volunteers who maintain the arboretum, the bridge is regarded as a key emblem of Webster, extending beyond its function as a physical structure.

The bridge holds considerable importance for both the Webster Arboretum and the surrounding community, serving as a notable location for photographs during weddings and other events. It is possible that images of the bridge are displayed in homes throughout the area.

Several local dignitaries attended Wednesday’s ceremony, including Arboretum Board president Carole Huther, Webster Chamber of Commerce President Barry Howard, Webster Town Board Deputy Supervisor Patty Cataldi and New York State Senator Samra Brouk.

I also got notice from the Friends of Webster Trails that the work they’ve been doing on the Hojack Trail is finally done.

The Friends wrote,

Temporary orange barriers at road crossings are in place, and the trail is open to walkers, runners, hikers, and bikers. The new surface is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, as well. As always, no motorized vehicles. Up next, FWT will be adding more benches and new signage, access gates, and plantings, with that work to be completed over the next several months.

Friends of Webster Trails couldn’t have done this project without the grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trails Maintenance Funds and matching funds from a generous anonymous community member.

Click here to read more about the grant and the enhancements.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 9/10/2025)

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The Hojack Trail is getting better

21 Aug

It’s already one of the best trails in Webster — part of our town’s outstanding trail system — but the Hojack Trail is getting even better this summer.

Thanks to a large grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Trails Maintenance Funds, the Friends of Webster Trails has been working hard for many weeks this summer, improving the Hojack Trail from Holt Rd. to Drumm Rd.

The grant, totaling $181,086, is administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and the funds are also being matched by an extremely generous member of the local community.

In addition to resurfacing the entire stretch between Holt and Drumm roads, the Friends will be adding drainage, plantings, signage and benches. The entire cost will be covered by the grant and matching donation.

“The Hojack Trail is one of Webster’s gems, and this project will make it shine even brighter for the thousands of people who use the trail each year,” said Sarah White, secretary and social media coordinator for FWT. “Each part of the project addresses an area of focus from a community survey conducted in the spring, and it enhances the trail’s connection to other parts of the community.”

FWT was founded in 1997 in large part to help maintain the Hojack Trail, so this project harkens back to those roots.

The new stone surface is expected to be completed soon (if it isn’t already). Other parts of the project will be completed over the next several months.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 9/21/2025)

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Discovering the Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest

10 Aug

I do believe I have a new favorite trail.

Most of my friends and acquaintances know that I’m a huge fan of our town’s trails. And when they ask me what my favorite trail system is, I invariably say it’s Four Mile Creek, which I love because of its natural beauty and the old cars that you can see along the paths.

But last week, the Friends of Webster Trails introduced me to the Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest — and it is beautiful.

Last Tuesday, the Friends hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new trail system, which is located on Herman Rd. east of Pellett Rd. The mature forest features two miles of easy and intermediate trails, some which were pre-existing, and others which were built and improved by the Friends. They connect with the pink and orange trails at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve. allowing hikers to extend their adventure. Frequent blazes and trail markers make navigating the trails especially easy.

The two-year-long effort to preserve the land and create the trail system is an incredible example of how residents, businesses, local organizations and governmental agencies can work together for the good of the community.

The 28.7-acre parcel of land was acquired in late 2023 from Gary and Judy Wood, thanks to a $270,000 Community Forest Conservation Grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), procured by the Town of Webster, and a donation in memory of Michael A. Johnson. About 35 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, including Judy Wood and representatives from the Friends of Webster Trails, the NYS DEC and Webster Parks and Recreation.

After a few speeches and the cutting of the ribbon, Herman Rd. Trail Steward Ben Wisniewski led about a dozen hikers on a one-mile long walk along a few of the beautiful new trails. There were a few small hills, but in general it was an easy hike that snaked through old and new forest, thick with more than a dozen varieties of trees. Small animals skittered across the path, and birdsong filled the air. It was extremely peaceful.

A well-designed informational kiosk enhances the experience, providing lots of information about the preserve and its trail system. Plus, there’s plenty of parking.

The Friends of Webster Trails website has lots more information about each of the preserve’s four trails, including their difficulty and some of the natural features you can look for along the hike. There’s even mention of “hidden treasures”: a half-buried car engine, an old cistern, and a stone foundation.

So check out the website, then head on out to enjoy the new trails for yourself. And if you really like what you see, please consider supporting the Friends of Webster Trails by becoming a member. It’s only $10 for individuals and $15 for families. Your support will really help the Friends continue building and maintaining outstanding trails like these.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/10/2025)

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Friends of Webster Trails introduce new trail system

2 Aug

As a huge fan of our Webster trails system and the great work accomplished by the Friends of Webster Trails to build and maintain them, I’m always excited to share the news when the Friends introduce yet another new trail.

This Tuesday, Aug. 5, the Friends will officially open the new Herman Road Forever Wild Forest trail system. Located at 760 Herman Rd., the new preserve features mature forest and a dense, two-mile network of easy-to-moderate trails that connect to the pink and orange trails in Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve. The park was conserved by former owners Gary and Judy Wood with funds provided by a New York State DEC Community Forest Conservation Grant and a donation in honor of the late Michael A. Johnson.

The ceremony will begin with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. followed by a guided hike. The public is invited.

Below is a map of the trail system, which I pulled from the Friends of Webster Trails website. If you’d like to learn more about the Herman Road Forever Wild Forest, including some of the trees and wildlife you’ll find there, click here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/2/2025)

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More than just books: Webster Library launches weekly walking club

25 Jul

The Webster Public Library has always been a hub for lifelong learning, filled with book clubs, storytimes, lectures, creative workshops and educational opportunities designed to keep your mind engaged. But now, it’s taking things a step further — literally. A new walking program is putting physical wellness on the agenda, recognizing that staying mentally sharp is easier when your body is active, too.

The Library Walking Club kicked off about two months ago and meets every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Led by library assistants Lee Cooney and Maggie Gibson, the group takes an at-your-own-pace walk around Webster. The hour-long strolls begin and end at the library and follow a route that’s manageable for all ages and ability levels. So far, that’s usually meant a walk along the Rt. 104 bike path from Hard Road to Holt Road and back.

“We aim for the least amount of traffic engagement,” Lee said. “The path is paved and for the most part reasonably kept up,” which makes it accessible for everyone. Having two staff members on hand also allows the group to spread out while still staying connected. “We do try to be mindful of everyone’s pace,” Lee added.

As the program grows, Lee and Maggie are exploring other routes to keep things fresh. For example, a few weeks ago the walk included a stop for Bruster’s ice cream, and just last week, the group explored the Hickory Bark Trail in the wooded area behind the library.

But wherever the trail leads, the goal remains simple: “Keep moving, meet new people, and have a good time together,” Lee said.

The Webster Public Library Walking Club continues every Tuesday at 2 p.m. through Sept. 20. Walks are held rain or shine (“Some people actually like walking in the rain,” Lee noted), unless conditions are unsafe. The program is free, and no registration is required; just meet in the library’s main lobby. If a walk needs to be canceled, updates will be posted on the library’s calendar, Facebook page, and a sign in the lobby. You can also call 585-872-7075 with questions.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/25/2025)

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Heads up! There’s construction on the Hojack

21 Jul

This is a bonus blog today, piggybacking on an email I just got from the Friends of Webster Trails.

Starting this week, the Hojack Trail will be under construction to improve the surface of the trail. While the work is being completed, trail sections will be closed to the public, and signs will be put in place.

Please follow the signs and don’t enter the trail sections while the work is being completed. Yes, it will be an inconvenience for a while, but yes, our cooperation will help the Friends get the work done that much more quickly. And once it’s done, the Hojack will be even more awesome than ever.

If you’re reading this and saying to yourself, “What’s the Hojack Trail?”, you really should get to know the Friends of Webster Trails a whole lot better.

The all-volunteer Friends of Webster Trails have built and constantly maintain a ton of amazing trails, which already measure more than 20 miles — and they keep creating more every year. You can view a map of all the trails on the Friends’ website. If you’re already a regular trail user, please consider showing the Friends some love by becoming a member. It doesn’t cost much (really, just $10 or $15 — check it out here) and the funds they raise go directly to making our trail system better for everyone to enjoy.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/21/2025)

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Help save the Arboretum bridge

28 Jun

Chances are, if you’ve lived in Webster for even a short time, you’ve visited the Webster Arboretum.

The Arboretum, located at 1700 Schlegel Road, is a non-profit park featuring incredibly peaceful and beautiful nature trails, pathways, gazebos, ponds and horticultural displays, all meticulously maintained by volunteers. In addition to its being a delightful place for a stroll, weddings are often held there, and numerous professional photographers use the Arboretum as the background for graduation, anniversary, and wedding photos.

But if you’ve been there recently, you might have noticed that the lovely — and very popular — bridge located in the park has been closed off because it’s become unstable and needs urgent repairs. Unfortunately, the repairs will be very expensive; a recent quote came in at more than $12,000, which is a sum that the non-profit Webster Arboretum Association will have a hard time managing. So they’re reaching out to the very supportive Webster community to help them out.

The Arboretum has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise enough money to bring the bridge up to snuff again. Donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated, and you can even leave them anonymously.

So if you can help, click here to go to the GoFundMe page and contribute to the rebuilding of the beloved bridge.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/28/2025)

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