Genung Nature Preserve  (photo)
The preserve is fifty-three acres of undeveloped land (map) and has one mile of Fall Creek frontage. The parking lot is just outside the village, on Rte. 38/Groton Road.

“[The] trail starts [at the parking lot and] wanders through shrubby areas, a grove of musclewood (or ironwood) trees along the bank of Fall Creek, some of the wildest hawthorn trees you will ever see, then larger hardwood trees such as swamp white oak, red oak, sugar maple, basswood and shagbark hickory. Listen and watch for the many birds that find the place a great refuge, especially in the spring – Ovenbirds, Northern Waterthrushes, Chimney Swifts, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Ruffed Grouse and even Pine Warblers, to name a few. If you’re lucky, you may spot a four-foot tall Great Blue Heron stalking fish and frogs in the creek.”

The text above is taken from the Finger Lakes Land Trust Web site. You can find the trail map and more information at www.fllt.org/protected_lands/index.php.

Mill Dam Park  (photo)
Halfway down Mill Street (map), and affording a beautiful view of Fall Creek, this park is the site of an old mill where a nationally famous brand of flour was produced. The park was created in 1948 for Freeville’s sesquicentennial. It has swings and benches. The dam is still functional, although it is deteriorating. Swimming is not permitted.

Groton Avenue Park  (photo)
Years ago, residents planted truck gardens here (map) and sold (“trucked”) the produce to grocery stores in the area. Today the spot has a baseball diamond and sheltered picnic tables.