I began this series on Rochester's best picnic locations with visits to Seneca Park and Charlotte Beach. In part two, we'll visit Hamlin Beach State Park and Webster Park.

If you're looking for a place to host a big picnic event, Webster Park in Webster, NY is just right for you. The five enclosed pavilions will accommodate your group of 35 to 135 people. Each pavilion has charcoal grills, a wood burning stove and lots of picnic tables. Check out these pavilions for your next corporate picnic or family reunion.

If you want a place to camp, Webster Park's 45 site family campground can handle your trailer, tent or motor home. All the sites are equipped with electrical outlets and there are plenty of drinking water taps. Other facilities include bathrooms, showers and a dumping station. There is also a playground to keep the children busy while you cook or just sit back and relax.

Webster Park is known for its hiking trails. A total of five trails offer about five miles of relatively easy hiking. When hiking these trails you'll be treated to a great variety of beautiful scenery. When you hike the West Loop Trail, be sure to check out the West Field which offers wildflowers and a good variety of trees and shrubs. This variety of plant life makes the West Loop a great place for birding during the migration seasons. The number of different kinds of trees makes it especially appealing during the fall foliage season.

Webster Park also features a baseball field, tennis courts, a fishing pier and romantic views of Lake Ontario. Webster Park is located at 255 Holt Rd. in Webster. Make sure you bring garbage bags because Webster Park is a carry in - carry out facility..

Back in the 1960s, Lake Ontario was polluted in Rochester so Charlotte Beach was closed to swimming. Because Charlotte was closed, my family drove 20 miles to Hamlin Beach State Park a few times each summer. It was a special treat to go there because it was the closest open bathing beach to our house. The water is still clean and and in 2009 Hamlin Beach is a favorite picnic destination for families from all over.

Whatever picnic plans you have, Hamlin Beach has what you need. There are handicapped accessible pavilions to accommodate large groups like family reunions and corporate events. There are plenty of picnic tables and grills in these pavilions. For your family or small group, there are lots of charcoal grills and picnic tables located throughout the park.

Besides swimming, there is plenty to do at Hamlin Beach. The Yanty Creek Mash area features a mile long, self-guided hiking trail.. In addition there are 10 miles of other trails that are great for biking and hiking. During the winter, these trails are just right for cross country skiing. You can also launch your car top boat and do some fishing and the kids will have fun on the sports fields and playgrounds.

Hamlin Beach's campground is open from May through the middle of October and has 264 RV and tent sites. For more information, or to make campground reservations, call 1-800-456-2267. The park itself is open from 6:00 AM through 10:00 PM. Pets must stay on their leashes and are prohibited from the bathing area.

Durand Eastman Park and Powder Mills Park are two of my favorite spots for a picnic when I go home to Rochester. Stay tuned for my next article and I'll tell you why.