Unwind to the songs of Blue-winged Warblers, Eastern Towhees, and Chipping Sparrows…

Pass through abandoned fields, shrubland, and young forest, on your way up the trail to the former hilltop meadow, now young woods.  Continue past the meadow to the wonderfully diverse mature forest on the western side of the hill.

Natural History

Today, the old farm has a fine mature hardwood forest on the west and south slopes, young woods on the east slope, and young trees/shrubland and small wetlands on the gently sloping eastern portion of the property.  The mature forest provides ideal habitat for the Scarlet Tanager, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. Blue-winged Warblers, Yellow-throats, Yellow Warblers, Song and Field Sparrows thrive in the brushlands.

The farm pond where children used to splash has leaked and is now a cattail marsh, the sound of laughter now replaced by the croaks, peeps, and squawks of frogs and Red-winged Blackbirds.

Recent History

Named after their grandsons, Chris and Mike Parker, the 170-acre preserve was donated by Gene and Joan Lane in 1993.  Like so much land in these parts, the Parker Nature Preserve was once a farm.  One hundred years ago, the entire property probably was agricultural, but only the more level, eastern portion was still farmed in recent memory.  Near Velie Rd., the old stone walls of the barns give silent testimony of those days.  The farmhouse burned down years ago and is buried now.

The trails can be wet and muddy at times, so don’t forget your boots!

Land Acknowledgment

The Finger Lakes Land Trust recognizes that our nature preserves exist on the homeland of the Haudenosaunee. We hope to honor indigenous peoples’ ongoing relationship with the land by conserving wild places forever.

Public Use

Please see our public use policies for recreational activities on nature preserves.

During the early bow-hunting season, from October 1-November 15, bow hunters will be hunting on the preserve in locations that are at least 150 feet from the marked hiking trail loop, and the trail will remain open to the public during that time. Hikers must stay on the marked trail at all times.

During the regular gun and late muzzle-loader hunting seasons, from November 16-December 17, the whole preserve will be closed to the public.

SEE MORE PRESERVES ON GOFINGERLAKES.ORG

Go Finger Lakes is the free web site created by the Finger Lakes Land Trust to promote recreation and conservation. Use the interactive map of 50+ hiking, biking, paddling, skiing, and outdoor adventure destinations across the region!