Genesee Valley Greenway

and play!”

The Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) State Park is a 90-mile combination of green space corridor that follows the route of the old Genesee Valley Canal (18401878) and Pennsylvania Railroad Rochester Branch (1882-1963) from the Erie Canalway Trail in Rochester’s Genesee Valley Park to the village of Cuba in Allegany County. The Greenway will eventually extend to Hinsdale in Cattaraugus County.

It includes a public, multi-use trail and natural and historic resources. The majority of the trail is an old railway bed that is a straight, level surface. The Greenway passes through woodlands, wetlands, river and stream valleys, rolling farmlands, steep gorges, and historic villages in sixteen towns in Monroe, Livingston, Wyoming, Allegany, and Cattaraugus counties.

Like other abandoned towpaths and rail beds across the country, the Genesee Valley Greenway provides opportunities for public recreation, an off-road link to communities, parks, other trails, attractions in the region and preservation of open space and the natural and cultural resources in the corridor. The GVG connects to the Genesee River Trail, Finger Lakes Trail, Erie Canal Recreation Way, the Erie Attica Trail, and the Lehigh Valley

Trail. A work-in-progress, the Greenway continues to improve and link the greenspaces along the 90-mile span.

The continuity of the corridor creates a ‘tunnel of green’ and acts as a physical link between adjacent habitats, providing an important bridge for organisms.

Throughout the year, the Greenway partners with organizations along the corridor to collect resources for worthy causes. Volunteers also help spread the word about the Greenway’s historically significant features such as the Black Creek Canal culvert, the Belfast warehouse, Oakland locks, and an array of old railway bridges and bridge abutments.

The Greenway allows biking, hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling in designated areas, and fishing in designated waterways. Families and individuals can even enjoy geocaching along the Greenway. There is truly something for everyone along the Greenway.

Each January, the GVG rings in the New Year with a guided First Day Hike in Avon, Cuba, Hinsdale, Mt. Morris, Nunda, Rochester, Scottsville, and York (with about 500 participants in 2023). Each April celebrates Trails Day to encourage veterans and newbies to explore the trail with guided tours. May features I Love My Park Day events in towns and villages along the span, encouraging folks to help clean up the community’s fabulous greenspaces.

The Greenway is part of the Wegmans Passport Program, encouraging families to get outside and explore the GVG, completing 2-7.5 mile hikes along the Greenway to receive a Wegmans coupon and enter to win an Empire Passport.

For the latest trail information, visit fogvg.org.

Stokoe Farms

Stokoe Farms has been a cherished family favorite among Western New Yorkers for the past two hundred years. In autumn, it’s time to visit Stokoe Farms for the annual Harvest Festival. With over 35 available familyfriendly activities, opportunities are endless for all ages. Come visit Harvest Fest to discover everything Stokoe has to offer this fall. According to Marketing and Operations Director, Julie Izzo Niedzwick, “Some of the favorite guest activities include the zip line, paint ball range, hayrides, pumpkins, giant slides, mazes, and more.”

Animal lovers rejoice! With Stokoe’s petting zoo animals ranging from the usual to the unusual, everything from farm goats, pigs, sheep, Riley the camel, armadillos, and Patagonian Mara, Stokoe boasts the largest petting zoo in the local WNY region. They are even known for their mob of kangaroos and wallabies, Niedzwick says. Little ones will fall in love with all the furry friends while creating memories that will last a lifetime. The Canine Spectacular Dog Show is also a hit, with three shows daily on the weekends.

Foodies delight in an abundance of fall treats. This festival includes mouth-watering apple cider donuts, kettle corn, homemade fudge (made with real butter), and food trucks including a candy cannon launch at 4:30 p.m. “We stuff a cannon full of 50 pounds of candy in the courtyard and it goes off for all the kids,” explains Niedzwick.

Providing a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere is what Stokoe does best. While Niedzwick has conducted thirteen seasons with Stokoe, including throughout high school and college, she says her favorite is seeing local families come out and have a fun time. “It’s really meant as a way for families to come together.”

There is always something new in the works at Stokoe Farms. Reserve your spot to see the 2024 Solar Eclipse on April 8th. For this event, spearheaded by the Rochester Museum & Science Center at Stokoe Farms, guests from across the country will partake in this once in a lifetime experience. For more information on Stokoe’s Eclipse event, Harvest Fest, Christmas Activities, and more, visit stokoefarms.com.