Wegman's Passport to Family Wellness in Rochester, NY

Beginning September 1, 2008 and running through July 1, 2009, Wegmans Supermarkets is sponsoring a family wellness program designed for residents of the Rochester, New York area to take part in some no-cost family fun and exercise.

At any Wegmans store you'll be able to pick up a "Passport" complete with ten separate trails in Webster, New York. Completion of these trails (from four to all ten) results in small prizes up to their grand prize drawing of a one-hundred dollar gift card (when all ten trails are completed).

The first trail listed is the trail behind the Webster Arboretum. It is located on Schlegel Road, between Salt and Basket and is listed as "very easy." The length of this particular trail is 1.3 miles. The arboretum is home to much natural beauty. There are educational, cultural and leisure activities in and around this area, and it is often visited by lovers of birds, flowers and peace and quiet.

The Bird Sanctuary Trail is the second trail listed and is located across from North Ponds Park. Part of this trail is currently under construction, but most of it is available to walkers. The difficulty is rated as "very easy" as it is mainly flat earth with gentle bends. The length is relatively short at .7 miles. This trail is wide and non-threatening and a good place to let the youngsters enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

Finn Park Nature Trail is located off Maple Drive, north of Route 104 at 1.25 miles. At easy, the only difficulty here might be for some, its length. Parking is available at Liberty Lodge off Maple Drive and the trail begins behind Liberty Lodge in the woodlot. This trail crosses a small stream, runs through a beech forest and trails around a meadow. This meadow is home to many monarch butterflies.

Gosnell Big Woods Preserve has two separate and distinct trails, the first is Big Field Trail. Parking is located at the corner of Vosburg and Drumm Roads, and the difficulty is rated as easy. This trail runs 1.2 miles around the perimeter of a field ideally suited for cross country skiing. This trail offers spectactular views of wildflowers and the grasslands. Common wildlife spotted along this trail are turkeys, deer and a wide variety of birds.

The second trail on the preserve is Big Woods Trail, parking for Big Woods is located just .2 miles north of Big Field Trail parking lot. The level of difficulty for Big Woods is moderate but is just .7 miles in length. This trail gives access to one of the only remaining old-growth forests in the Rochester, New York area. No blazes mark the trail and there is minimal clearing due to the efforts to leave the woods intact. No bikes are allowed.

The Hojack Trail is a very easy trail that runs 3.5 miles in length. It follows the rail bed from North Ponds Park to Lake Road. Walking and biking is permitted, as the trail is mainly flat and wide. Parking is available at Vosburg Hollow Nature Preserve and at North Ponds Park.

North Ponds Park is a very easy trail that runs the perimeter of North Ponds Park. It is located off Route 104 between Hold Road and Route 250. The length is one mile and along the trail there are exercise "stops" intended for handicapped people, though anyone can use them, that encourage you to work your arms, legs, etc. There is also a sledding hill at the north end of the park. The ponds are open for fishing and there is ample parking off of Route 104 and off Orchard Street.

Vosburg Hollow Nature Trail is overall an easy trail one quarter mile in length. Parking is located in the area behind the pumping station. This trail is one of nature's beauties, as it leads through a stand of red pines and into a marshy area, over a boardwalk. It delivers you into a glade of flowers.

The Whiting Road Nature Preserve has several smaller trails that run from easy to moderate. Parking is located between Pellett and Whiting Roads. If one walks all of the trails (blue, yellow, orange, white and red) the total would be approximately 4 miles. These trails meander through open clearings, over bridges built by Eagle Scouts, through deep woods, and down steep inclines.

Webster Park is located off Holt and Lake Roads and is rated as easy. There are two separate trails, Valley View Trail which is .6 miles in length, and West Trail, 1.6 miles. There are 550 acres in Webster Park and they are filled with rolling green valleys and slopes and also border Lake Ontario. The East Trail passes through an old orchard which is home to seckle pear, apple, cherries and crapapples. The West Trail is more of a wooded area and an ideal habitat for wild turkey.

If you are interested in taking the fitness challenge, stop by any Rochester area Wegmans and pick up the "Passport to Wellness." Don't forget to bring bug spray, the passport pamphlet and a crayon. The crayon is used to mark the post rubbing to prove you were at the trail.

After visiting four trails you can receive coupons for free products. Six trails wins you a t-shirt and a $5 Wegman's gift card. After ten trails you're eligible to win one of two grand prizes, A $100 Wegman's gift card or a picnic pack for 20 people from Wegman's.

This little passport is an excellent way to get your family not only outside and moving, but to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells in and around the Rochester area.