Location: 110 Coachman Drive, Penfield, NY 14526
Size: 94 acres
Why You Should Visit: Hipp Brook Preserve is one of only three Class 1 wetlands in Penfield. It offers a short and flat trail offering views of wildflowers, pollinators, and birds. The trail winds through various habitats including deciduous swamp and cattail marsh. Thes Preserve provides habitats for great horned owls, wood duck, numerous songbirds, as well as fox, raccoon, and deer. Wildflowers are numerous and include cardinal flower, marsh marigold, and closed gentian.
Parking and Public Transit: The parking lot for this preserve is under repair. Currently, parking for the Preserve is located along the road shoulder near the intersection of Coachman Drive and Brougham Drive. Please do not block any neighboring driveways. There are no public transit options to Hipp Brook Preserve.
Trails: The main trailhead for the preserve is located at the intersection of Coachman Drive and Broughman Drive. The main trail, the Wild Iris Path, is approximately 1/2 mile long, and is a combination of compacted soil, mulch, and boardwalk. The width of the compacted soil and mulched trails is approximately 4’ wide. The first boardwalk is approximately 6’ wide and the second boardwalk around the outer loop is 3’ wide. A second trailhead is located at the Phaeton Drive cul-de-sac for pedestrian access only. There is no parking available at this entrance. Max slopes on all trails are between 0-5%.
Benches and Shade: There are several benches along the trail spaced out throughout the Preserve. See the trail map for approximate locations of benches. The trail is through a wooded wetland and offers shade at several points.
Restrooms: There are no restrooms at Hipp Brook Preserve. The nearest public restrooms are at Veterans Memorial Park, approximately 1.7 miles away at 3100 Atlantic Avenue in Penfield.
Access Barriers: The outer trail boardwalk is only 3’ wide. Trails can also be wet in the spring.
For more details on accessibility: Contact us with questions at land@geneseelandtrust.org.
Photos by Elinor Osborn, Gloria Weyerts, and Genesee Land Trust staff
History: Assembling the puzzle of Hipp Brook Preserve began in 1990 and continued through 1999. Land donors included Monroe County, Fran Hirsch, Paul Petrella and Scottwood Builders, and Crosstown Construction. Now under single ownership, Genesee Land Trust manages this wooded wetland as a nature preserve.
Getting There
Driving Directions: Brougham Drive runs west off of Jackson Road between Atlantic Avenue to the north and Whalen Road to the south. Parking is at the end of Brougham. Look for signs to Wild Iris Trail. There is also limited public access off the south side of Atlantic Avenue, between Jackson Road and Baird Road at the Frontier switching boxes. There is no trail from there.
Approximate Address of Parking:
Brougham Entrance: 110 Coachman Drive, Penfield, NY 14526
Phaeton Entrance (pedestrian access only): 100 Phaeton Drive, Penfield, NY 14526
GPS Coordinates: 43.139074,-77.4646