Corbett’s Glen

As overused as this statement may be, Corbett’s Glen is truly a hidden gem. I am always surprised by how many people drive past it daily and don’t realize it’s there. Nestled between an expressway and two highly trafficked roads near the Penfield-Brighton town border, Corbett’s Glen Nature Park is a glorious green space in a suburban jungle.

To visit Corbett’s Glen North, start from the parking lot on Penfield Road. You can follow stone dust, wood chips, and pine needle trails toward the south end. The pathways are easy to navigate, though some parts of the trail, like the Stone Steps, can be steep.

If you prefer to start at the park’s south end, you can park along the designated shoulder on Glen Road. The trails here lead through marsh meadow, shrubland, and wetland. There are also two designated accessible parking spaces after driving through the tunnel, though visitors who do not require using these spaces should walk through.

The park is divided into Corbett’s Glen North and Corbett’s Glen South.

Corbett’s Glen North

You can start your exploration of Corbett’s Glen from the north by parking in the eight-car lot off Penfield Road, across from Forest Hill Road.

Get directions to the parking lot off Penfield Rd.

Stone dust, wood chips, and pine needle trails lead you toward the southern area. The pathways are easy to navigate and crisscross and loop, encouraging you to choose your own adventure.

Corbett’s Glen North encompasses roughly 34 acres of land. The trails are relatively smooth, with portions that cut into the creek valley, like the Stone Steps, and down toward the Glen and Allen Creek.

• Stone Dust Trail Loop: 0.35 miles
• Trailhead to Park Lane Access: 0.4 miles
• Trailhead to Corbett’s Glen South: 0.75 miles

Splinter trails lead to the surrounding neighborhoods and up to Temple Sinai. Built in 1967, Temple Sinai was designed by Rochester architect James H. Johnson, who also designed the Mushroom House, Phillis Wheatley Library, the Liberty Pole, and dozens of other magnificent structures.

Keep heading south along the trails to reach the portion of the park most people envision when thinking of Corbett’s Glen.

Corbett’s Glen South

I do not have a photo of the parking area on Glen Road off Linden Ave, NY-441. But once you get there, you will see parking and no-parking signs that will guide you. You’ll park along the side of the road and walk down the hill toward Allen Creek through the neighborhood.

Get directions to the tunnel off Linden Ave.

There is also room for two cars in the handicap-only spots: drive through the tunnel to access these.

Tunnel Falls

Prom, wedding, and senior pictures are staged next to anglers trout fishing.

The landing between Tunnel Falls and Postcard Falls is the perfect spot for a picnic above a third unnamed fall.

When you visit, you will notice you seem to be walking through people’s backyards—you are. The homeowners are passionate about protecting Corbett’s Glen and ensuring it is available for everyone’s enjoyment today and into the future. The glen may have been a story of the past had it not been for this nature-loving community.

Postcard Falls

You’ll find a trail leading toward the falls and several large boulders perfectly placed for sitting.

Regular visitors to the glen may recall that the area used to have no fencing, resulting in damage to the creek and plant life due to foot traffic. To preserve the natural beauty of this “nature park,” we kindly ask you to respect the fencing and appreciate the creek from a distance. Unless you’re trout fishing, please refrain from wading in the creek.

The trails in Corbett’s Glen South wind through 18 acres of marsh meadow, successional shrubland, and wetland, offering a unique environment distinct from the woodlands in Corbett’s Glen North.

• Glen Road to Postcard Falls: 0.13 miles
• Perimeter Trail Loop: 0.65 miles
• Plus, the Cross Meadow Trail and South Meadow Trail that cut through the center

Map of Corbett’s Glen

More Information

Cost: Free

Located in Brighton, roughly 15 minutes / 10 miles from Rochester

Parking: North entrance: 415 Penfield Road, South entrance: 11 Glen Road

Website: townofbrighton.org

Both trailheads have informational signage that introduces the area’s history, with the south portion covering a much longer history.

I found this timeline section most interesting, but please read the rest when you visit. You will find Sandra L. Frankel‘s legacy and impact on preserving natural spaces throughout Brighton, including the Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park Brickyard Trail.

1990s – Much activity by Town Supervisor Sandra L. Frankel, the Town Board, and Administration, and various local grassroots organizations toward the preservation of the glen, maintenance of property as a wildlife sanctuary and park, vs. development

1994 – Chief Shenandoah, Iroquois, walks through the valley in Corbett’s Glen

1997 – Chief Waterman, Onondaga Turtle Clan, and members of his tribe come to the glen to perform a sacred tobacco ceremony and pray for the preservation of the Allen Creek Valley.

1999 – With the assistance of the Genesee Land Trust, the Town purchased Corbett’s Glen property for Corbett’s Glen Nature Park.

What do you enjoy most about Corbetts Glen?

I’d love to hear from you—please reach out and share your thoughts and experiences.