Of Ice and Mendon: A Guided Trail Hike (EVENT IS SOLD OUT)

This event has been sold out and registration is closed

Join us for a ecological tour of Mendon Ponds Park!  Our Guide, Steve Pudiak will bring his 25+ years of experience as an Earth Science educator and lifelong outdoorsman to highlight the unique features of the Monroe County gem.

Mendon Ponds Park is a unique place.  It holds a variety of glacial landforms; bogs, vernal pools, glacial ponds, eskers, drumline and kettles.  These land forms help to create a very special place where in this short but vigorous hike, one can see upland hardwood forests, meadows and wetland eco systems. The wetlands are a signature feature of Mendon Ponds Park.  Wetlands create vital ecosystems that play an important role in groundwater recharge; acting as a natural filter to remove impurities from surface waters; control flooding and regulating stream flow; and creates habitat for a large variety of plants and animals.

There are also a number of places within the park that illustrate the may uses of the area by humans over time.  Unique buildings, old stone fences, tree plantations and abandoned quarries are just a few of the sites that act as a testament to the presence and affects that humans have had on this environment. We will hike near or through some of them.

This will be a vigorous hike lasting 2-ish hours, covering a few stretches that include steep assents and descents.  The hike will be held rain or shine.  When wet, the park can be quite muddy therefore hikers should dress appropriately, paying special attention to footwear.  We recommend hikers bring water and be prepared with sunscreen and bug repellent.

After the hike, we will be hosting a BBQ so that we can ask questions and further our discussion of the park!

This event will benefit R Community Bikes, a grassroots, 501(c)3 organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, that collects and repairs used bicycles for distribution, free of charge, to the Rochester, NY area’s most needy children and adults. They give away over 2,000 bicycles every year and do over 3,000 repairs for their clients, many of whom depend on bicycles as their main source of transportation. Starting in 2014, they began providing tricycles to disabled individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to ride. In addition, they supply bicycles or repair services to dozens of community organizations, including church groups, youth centers, and neighborhood associations.