Lewis Nature Preserve

Donor: Evelyn Lewis, December 31, 2001, 25.990 acres

Primary entry points are denoted with a yellow dot ()
Directions to entry point. Note – the entry is a walkable easement from the road to the property

Monroe County Tax Map ID # 215.02-1-11

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History of the property

Evelyn Lewis of Mendon has donated 26 acres of wooded land to the Mendon Foundation. The land, which is a mix of soft and hardwoods along with evergreens, has established riding and walking trails. The parcel is located behind 1136 Pittsford Mendon Center Rd., across the street from Mendon Ponds Park. Mendon Foundation President Carl Foss said that the Foundation is “honored to accept this most-wonderful parcel of land from Evelyn Lewis. Evelyn is helping to shape the future of Mendon with this land donation to the Foundation this is a win-win situation. This type of donation represents our history and protects our future.” Foss noted that this recent donation brings 91 acres under Mendon Foundation protection. In addition, the Foundation has assisted several Mendon land owners in establishing conservation easements on their properties, which permanently restricts development on those parcels, but offer tax benefits to the land owners. “It’s reassuring for many who live in this area to know that these parcels of land will be protected from development forever, and will be there for future generations to enjoy,” Foss said. The Lewis’s purchased the land in 1971 and built a house and barn on the property. Before moving to Mendon, they had lived in Pittsford. “At that time there was very little market for land in Mendon,” she explained. The house and the barn have been subdivided from the parcel that was donated to the Foundation. Over the years, Mrs. Lewis and her husband cleared wide paths for riding trails. Part of the parcel has an open space in the middle of the woods where Mrs. Lewis said they used to have a jumping course for their horses. “I’ve ridden horses all of my life and I rode these trails with my daughters”, Mrs. Lewis said. She said that “at one time we had a view, but all the trees have grown and there is no longer a view.” But the views have simply changed into a quiet and peaceful woodland. When asked if she was sad to see the land leave her family estate, she said, “No, I’m happy that it will be preserved and it will never be developed.”

In November 2025, the Mendon Foundation officially named this forever wild property as the Lewis Nature Preserve as a tribute to Evelyn Lewis that donated the property to the Mendon Foundation nearly 24-years earlier. We hope to add signage reflecting the name in the near future.

Lewis Nature Preserve Trail Map