Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Ilya Shmulenson, Executive Director of Lime Hollow Nature Center, first discovered the transformative power of outdoor learning in college. Exposure to diverse environments around the world ignited his passion for hands-on environmental education.
At Lime Hollow, he champions equitable, multi-generational access to nature. From offering New York State’s only year-round, publicly accessible Action TrackChair for those with mobility challenges to stewarding New York’s first licensed forest preschool, his work ensures that everyone—from toddlers to elders—can engage meaningfully with the outdoors. He’s a firm believer in the power of repeated, immersive experiences to foster deep connections with nature, whether through forest play days, wilderness skills programs, or multi-sensory field trips.
An advocate for blending tourism with quality of life, Ilya envisions Lime Hollow as a gateway to the region’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation. By fostering connections between people and the land, he inspires locals and visitors alike to explore, learn, and embrace the Finger Lakes’ rich ecological and recreational offerings.
“At Lime Hollow, we imagine a place where someone in a wheelchair, with a walker or cane, can join someone pushing a stroller, while kids run through fields and forests, all enjoying time together in nature,” Shmulenson says. “By creating that place, we believe we are harnessing the transformative power of nature for the mental and physical well-being of entire communities.”
Lime Hollow offers access to a very unique water feature, a hidden gem not found in other areas of the Finger Lakes: a classic bog. While not on the Lime Hollow property, it is accessible via Lime Hollow’s trails. Ilya and his team have worked hard to build and maintain a good relationship with the owners of the property on which the bog sits so visitors to Lime Hollow can experience its unusual beauty. There’s even a bench nearby where you can rest and simply enjoy the view.
Enjoy the slow beauty of the natural palette created by still, crystal-clear water.
Each of our 11 Finger Lakes, our one Great Lake, the bog at Lime Hollow, and other lakes in the region has its unique shoreline, and its unique beings living in and around the water. Do you want to add a slow travel activity to your visit? Here’s one way to do that!
Choose a lake near your lodging, find an easy spot to access by the water, and visit it every day at the same time to see how the micro-view changes and how it stays the same over time. What colors seem to jump out at you today? Is it the same the next day? Come back in a few months or a year and experience how that same spot has transformed and how it has remained the same. Lean into the feeling of the transformation as well as the stability of the micro-view. Is the general color palette the same or has it shifted? Do you find the design on one of the days/visits more appealing than others? Bring a journal and jot down some of your thoughts – take a few pictures to add to the journal. Perhaps add some thoughts about what kinds of transformations are happening in your life.
As you build this relationship with your unique little spot, you’ll find yourself thinking about it when you’re not there – you’ll remember the feeling you had and begin to trust that your life transformations also create a beautiful picture.
Want suggestions on quiet lakeside spots that are easy to reach?
You can connect to the colorful lake transformations in hundreds (or even thousands!) of locations in and around the Finger Lakes, here are a few of our favorite hidden gems for you to check out.
Upper Onondaga Park, 655 Onondaga Ave, Syracuse, NY 13207
Lodi Point State Park, Lower Lake Rd, Lodi, NY 14860
Clute Park, 155 S. Clute Park Drive, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
To uncover even more, visit our FLX Outdoor Experience page and discover the beauty of the Finger Lakes region through exciting adventures and hidden treasures. We’re thrilled to showcase the abundant outdoor offerings and sustainability initiatives that make this area so special.
