Cornwall Preserve (Williamson, NY)

WILLIAMSON WEATHER

Cornwall Preserve is a serene 77-acre landscape nestled along the southern edge of Lake Ontario along NY-104. Managed by the Genesee Land Trust, who acquired the property in 2016, the preserve showcases the region’s rich natural beauty, blending diverse habitats such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and active orchards. Visitors can meander through approximately 1.5 miles of well-maintained trails, including the 2/3 mile Lake Bluff Trail, which runs from the wetlands on the east side to a beautiful woodland in the west. Along the way, openings in the trees offer views of the lake, with a few allowing access to the beach, which are covered in large stones and sun-bleached driftwood. 

One of the unique features of Cornwall Preserve is its mix of natural agricultural landscapes. The trails guide visitors through wildflower meadows buzzing with pollinators, shady woodlands filled with towering trees and mossy stones, and the charming orchards where apple and peach trees thrive. The Throop Trail’s winding boardwalk passes through lake-side wetlands, allowing guests to observe the diverse ecosystem up close. Benches placed along the paths offer perfect spots for relaxation, inviting visitors to take in the vast beauty of the lake.

The preserve is a peaceful haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike, providing opportunities to spot a wide range of local wildlife and migratory birds. From the moment we exited our car, the sounds of birds chirping and singing as they went about their business filled the meadow air. I’m awful at photographing birds, so you’ll see no photos here, but take my word for it, this is a great spot if your patience is as long as your lens.

Open year-round, Cornwall Preserve invites visitors to slow down and savor its tranquil atmosphere. From the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore to the fragrant wildflowers dotting the meadows, each season offers a unique sensory experience. The Genesee Land Trust did a wonderful job making such a tiny, but important, preserve a joy to explore.  The trails are well-kept, easy to manage, and pass through so many interesting sights. Whether you’re there for a leisurely hike, a quiet moment of birdwatching, or to learn about the area’s ongoing habitat restoration efforts, Cornwall Preserve provides a perfect escape into nature just a short distance from town​.

The first white settler in this area was Bill Waters, a New Englander who settled in 1804 on the lakeshore at the point here, approximately where the Throop and Lake Bluff Trails meet. The area earned the name Appleblossom Point, from the apple trees he planted there. Sailors referred to it as Apple Boom Point, due to its resemblance to a vessel’s boom. Waters built himself a shake and primarily hunted for sustenance. He lived here for several years before packing up and moving on. No record of his existence past this point in time exists.

A few years later, Matthew Martin moved from Pennsylvania to Pultneyville and built a farm at Appleblossom Point. He brought with him the first sheep, cattle, and horses, and he grew the first corn and wheat in the town of Williamson. Over generations his farm passed through the family and, for a time, was known as “Shore Acres.” 

Andrew and William Cornwall arrived in Pultneyville from Connecticut around 1809 to stay the winter. William passed away shortly thereafter, and in 1810, Andrew married Eliza B. Martin, marking the first marriage in the town.

The first village cemetery was established on the Martin farm and William Cornwall was one of the first internments. It is now the incorporated Lake View Cemetery.

Since their families joined over 200 years ago, the descendants of the Cornwalls have moved out of New York. To honor their pioneer ancestors, they worked with the Genesee Land Trust to turn their former farming estate into a preserve. It opened in 2016.

Difficulty: Easy. Mowed grass and dirt trails with a stretch of boardwalk in the wetland area. It’s a slight incline up the meadow trail, and some exposed roots and unevenness in the woods. The trails are well maintained and this is a very leisurely walk for most visitors.

Distance: 2 miles if you hike all the trails.

Description: Starting from the Lake Road parking lot, Cornwall Preserve offers approximately 2 miles of well-maintained trails for public access. It doesn’t have any perfect loops so study the map below to get a feel for where the different trails lead and intersect.

The Cass Meadow Trail, about 0.5 miles long, starts at the Lake Rd parking lot and winds northward toward Lake Ontario through a picturesque meadow filled with native grasses, wildflowers and a small pond. This grass-covered trail is regularly mowed from May to September, and its gentle slopes (0-5%) make for an easy walk along the six-foot-wide path. About 2/3 of the way to the lake, the Throop Trail intersects on the right. I recommend making a right here.

The Throop Trail leads you through a young forest and wetland area. This trail features grass paths, boardwalks, and bog boards, although only the boardwalk sections have ramps. Like the Cass Meadow Trail, it maintains gentle slopes between 0-5%. This takes you to the Lake Bluff Trail on the eastern end of the preserve. Heading east (right) will take you to a small beach near the village’s water treatment facility and the eastern entrance to the preserve. Our impression of this beach was not good. Stagnant water and an abundance of rotting algae wafted a highly unpleasant aroma. Hopefully there are plans to clean this up.

The Lake Bluff Trail spans the lake’s edge and offers stunning views of Lake Ontario. Head west on it from the end of the Throop Trail and it will lead you past openings in the trees and views of lake. One such opening, just west of here, leads to a small beach. Continuing west, you’ll pass by Cass Meadow and the end of that trail on the left and then apple orchards (the cemetery is behind these).

At the west end of the Lake Bluff Trail is the Woods Trail. This trail is more rugged, with a dirt surface and varying widths, as well as uneven terrain featuring roots and stones as it winds around mature woodland. The trail ends at the end of the woods and you must turn around and make your way back down the Cass Meadow Trail to the parking lot.

Alternatively, on your way back from the woods trail, veer right after the first orchard. A small trail leads through Lake View Cemetery. Follow the cemetery road south to Lake Rd and then head a hundred feet east along Lake Rd towards the Preserve Parking Lot.

Markings: Wooden signs at intersections and well-defined trails.

Maps: Interactive map.

Fishing is not allowed at Cornwall Preserve.

Historic Gates Hall

Located on Lake Rd, a third of a mile east of the Preserve entrance is this small community theater that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in 1926 by the Union Church Society as a multidenominational place of worship, it began to see use as a community gathering spot and summer theater in the 1860s, making it the longest running community theater in the United States.

St. Peter Shipwreck

The wreck of the St. Peter occurred in 1898 off the shores of Pultneyville, during a fierce November storm. The Canadian schooner, laden with chestnut coal, was en route from Oswego to Kingston when it encountered a violent storm on Lake Ontario. Despite attempts to weather the storm, the three-masted schooner was driven ashore and broke apart. Tragically, three crew members, including the captain’s wife, were lost in the disaster, and only the captain and two sailors survived. For decades, the ship rested along the lake bottom, upright and intact and on occasion, it would emerge visible from the shoreline, serving as a reminder of the perilous nature of 19th-century lake travel.

Medina Sandstone

• If shooting from the beach, try to incorporate those red beach stones into the shot. When wet they take on a deeper color.

Sunsets

• Because of the angle of the beach, sunsets are best (positioned more over the water) in mid-summer.

More tips

• See the Articles and Message Board sections for more photography tips.

Genesee Land Trust
46 Prince Street, Suite LL005
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: 585-256-2130
geneseelandtrust.org