Sgoh-sa-is-thah
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Channing H. Philbrick Park (formerly Linear Park)

Location - Penfield, Monroe County Maps - Google Map, Google Earth, Multi GPS -  Hidden Falls : (N 43.12769 W 77.48245) Directions - Take I490 to exit 23 and head east on Linden Avenue. follow Linden as it becomes Penfield Rd. past the Panorama trail exit. Make the next right onto Linear Park Drive. Follow this road into the parking area.

Information Number of falls: 4 Size/Types: 3 small cascades/rapids. Honey Creek, a tributary from the north makes a 30' total fall (3' cascade, 14' gradual slope then a 15' cascade) Best time to visit: Year round. Dries considerably during Summer. Flow: low to high Waterway: Irondequoit Creek Time: 15 minutes

Accessibility Seasons/Hours: Open year-round. Park is open from 6 AM to 10 PM Parking: Parking lot in the park (8 cars) and Roadside parking on Fallsview Lane (4 cars) Admission: Free. Handicap accessibility: Yes, partially. Pets: Allowed (on leash). Accommodations: Restrooms, a few trash cans, playground, picnic tables, telephone.

Description This small town park, once a striving factory district with mills that lined the banks of Irondequoit Creek, is now a popular fishing and picnicking spot. The remnants of the foundations of former mills line the creek, which features little in the way of falls, but features fast-moving water that thunders down this relatively steep section of the creek. Trails line the creek and ride the surrounding hills, passing over an island and across wetlands. The section of the creek closest to the parking lot and bridge is known for its pounding rhythm. Small cascades batter the bedrock, which may have small underlying hollow caved, acting like natural drums.

Trails - Map Difficulty: Medium Markings: Well defined trails with wooden signs. From the parking area, head to the bridge to get an overlook of the cascades. The trail beginning at the parking lot (marked with a trail kiosk) will run upstream on the north side with many small trails leading to the banks for a closer look. This section of Irondequoit Creek is known for it's steep drop (90 feet over a mile) so the walk is uphill. Keep an eye out for a tributary on the left (Honey Creek) that forms a waterfall 30' high. It's partially seen from the trail. climb to see the rest.

Do not miss... Migratory birds will use the park as a stop-over, you will find many species using the creek to refresh along the way. Watch out for hooks. A popular fishing site- be careful of anglers. Many rock formations mark the site of old mills. The steep drop of the creek made this a prime location for mill works. Iroquois referred to this section of the creek as SGOH-SA-IS-THAH (smashing water against rock) because of the sound made by the fast moving water on the bedrock.

History For more on the history of the town of Penfield, check out the book: Penfield (NY) (Images of America)

Contact Town of Penfield Parks & Recreation 3100 Atlantic Avenue Penfield, NY 14526-9798 (585) 340-8655 recreation@penfield.org

Weather

Links Park Map Town of Penfield trail maps Town of Penfield "City-data" Town of Penfield History