Our story
Backwoods is one part farming, one part conservation, and one part community.
Backwoods was born from a love of nature, community, and family. After years of clearing 30 acres of dense brush and invasive species, building with materials from the land, and rescuing a 200-year old farm house from demolition, our family now proudly shares this special place with our friends and neighbors.
sustainability
Backwoods was created by the farming family of Kettle Ridge Farms. For many years, the 30-acre wooded parcel on the side of busy Route 31 sat neglected and under-utilized. Its tangle of invasive plant species grew so thick the property was nearly impassable. The 200-year old farmhouse barely stood, engulfed by the forest. When we noticed the property for sale in 2021, we immediately saw the vision. A way to use the land in every possible way it can be enjoyed–fully, sustainable, for generations.
We utilize the trees for maple production on our farm, developed natural play areas built from the deforested trees, cleared trails to explore the land, and created an outdoor space unlike any other for people to gather.
bridging a gap
With a young growing family, the Hurleys noticed a void in the community: a lack of spaces for the full family to enjoy. With that mission at the heart of this project, they set out to build a hillside music stage, a bevy of Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, and fire pits, a shipping container bar, and a natural playground for kids. The 30-acre area also includes a 2-mile mountain biking trail and a separate hiking trail that connects to the 35 miles of Crescent Trail.
Encouragement and assistance came from all corners of the community, including Town of Perinton employees and volunteer committee members. “Build it and they will come,” several remarked. And boy, we’re they right. It’s been an incredible experience seeing people come to enjoy Backwoods in every way it can be enjoyed–through connection, nature, and music.
