NEW
YORK STATE PARKS
HEAT
UP THE WINTER
Experience the beauty of winter in Western New York in the New York State Parks. A variety of events will provide all attendees with entertaining and educational opportunities that will help beat the winter doldrums.
The line up of events throughout the Niagara Region is as follows:
Saturday, January 12
10:00
a.m.-12 noon
Winter Trails Day
Joseph
Davis State Park
Winter
Trails Day, now entering its 13th year, offers children and adults NEW to
snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing for FREE, and to discover the great
fitness and social benefits with this easy-to-learn winter sport.
We will hike without snowshoes in the event there is a lack of snow.
For information and registration
please call (716) 745-7848.
Saturday, January 12
10:00
a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Cross-Country Ski Tour
Evangola
State Park
Celebrate
Winter Trails Day. Join the naturalist
and ski a flat course through 2 miles of trails. These park trails were
named Buffalo Spree Magazine’s “Best X-Country Ski Trails.” For information and registration
please call (716) 826-8895.
Friday, January 18
6:30
p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
As
the seasons change and we are busy winterizing our cars and houses for the
winter months, the natural world is going through its own wintertime changes.
Learn about what creatures experience during this harsh time of year.
For
information and registration call (716) 745-7848.
Friday, January 25
6:00
p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Stargazing at the Beach
Woodlawn
Beach State Park
Join
us with the Penn Dixie astronomers for a night of stargazing. There will be both
indoor and outdoor presentations and information on the winter night sky. For
information and registration please call (716) 826-8895.
Saturday, January 26
10:00
a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cross-Country Ski Tour
Knox
Farm State Park
Join
the naturalist and Cross-Country ski these beautiful gentle rolling wooded
trails.
For
information and registration please call (716) 826-8895.
11:00
a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Winter
provides a unique opportunity to look at nature from a different perspective.
Animals behave differently due to a change of season.
Let’s head out on the trails to examine and see how the birds, plants
and wildlife adapt to winter conditions in this rural park.
We will use snowshoes if the weather permits.
For information and registration call (716) 745-7848.
Saturday, February 2,
10:00
a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Track Attack
Fort
Niagara State Park
Family
fun for all! We will discuss
various clues to tracking, make a track cast and head out on the trails to
reveal tracks left and signs left behind by various animals in our parks.
For information and registration
call (716) 745-7848.
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Page 2-NYS Parks Winter Events
Friday, February 8
6:30
p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wilderness Survival 101
Niagara
Falls State Park
What
would you do if you were in “survivor man’s” shoes and lost, hurt and
stranded in the woods? Join a park naturalist for an informal presentation and
hands on display about wilderness survival.
Come learn a little about a lot; from how to dress, first aid, hiking
safety and much more. For information and registration
(716) 745-7848.
Saturday, February 9
10:00
a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
History of Niagara Falls
Power
Vista, 5777 Lewiston Rd.
Lewiston,
New York
Join
a state park naturalist at the NYS Power Authority’s Visitor Center. Learn
some fun and unique facts about the history of the Niagara Falls area.
For
information, contact the NYS Power Authority (716) 286-6661.
Join
the naturalist and ski flat trails enjoying great views of the Niagara River.
For
information and registration please call (716) 826-8895.
2:00
p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Snowshoe Patrol
Fort
Niagara State Park
Go
on a winter patrol through the woods with costumed Re-enactors and learn about
18th Century winter travel. Use snowshoes, weather permitting. Return
to the Old Fort for warm beverages and hands-on activities. Co-presented by New
York State Parks and Old Fort Niagara. Fee per person includes admission to the
Old Fort.
For
information and registration call (716) 745-7611
10:00
a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Goat Island Icicle Walk
Niagara
Falls State Park
Park
naturalists will lead a walk through a winter wonderland.
Learn the history of Niagara Falls and maybe see a rainbow or two.
An optional “buy your own lunch” at the Hard Rock Café to follow. For information and registration call (716) 748-7848.
Saturday,
February 23
6:30
p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Snowshoe Night Hike
Buckhorn
Island State Park Sanctuary
Calling
all stargazers and snowshoe enthusiasts! Shake off the winter blues by going
outside and snowshoeing. Winter is a great time to see constellations such as
Orion, Big Dipper and Pleiades. The
full moon will be out to guide our way along the Niagara River.
For
information and registration call (716) 745-7848.
Sunday, February 24
10:00
a.m. Woodlawn Beach State Park
2:00
p.m. Evangola State Park
The
snowy trails are crisscrossed with tracks left by shy creatures that have
disappeared. Be a track detective
and investigate animal movements and behavior. For
information and registration please call (716) 826-8895.
Sunday, February 24
1:30
p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Ice Bridges of Niagara
Niagara
Falls State Park
Saturday, March 1
10:00
a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Birding on the River
Beaver
Island State Park and Buckhorn Island State Park Sanctuary
Join
us as we search for migratory waterfowl and other wintering birds found along
the shores of the Niagara River.
For
information and registration call (716) 745-7848.
11:00
am. – 12:00 p.m.
Multi-Legged Home Invaders
Knox
Farm State Park
“Little
Miss Muffett” isn’t the only one who gets scared away by the sight of a
spider along side of her. This indoor presentation will help us understand the
insects and arachnids that cohabitate with us in our homes.
For
information and registration please call (716) 826-8895.
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Page 3-NYS Parks Winter Events
10:00
a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Old Growth Trees
Power
Vista, 5777 Lewiston Rd.
Lewiston,
New York
Join
a state park naturalist at the NYS Power Authority’s Visitor Center. Learn
about the characteristics of “old growth” trees, why they are important, and
reasons for scattered areas of Old Growth.
For
information, contact the NYS Power Authority (716 ) 286-6661.
Saturday, March 15
10:00
a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Maple Sugaring 101
Evangola
State Park
It’s
that time of year again! Maple sugaring time that is!
Park naturalists will give an indoor presentation about the maple
sugaring process. An outdoor hands-on informal presentation will follow.
Learn how to tap a tree and watch sap turn into syrup.
For
information and registration call (716) 826-8895.
6:30
p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Lakeshore Owl Prowl
Wilson
Tuscarora State Park
What
is that screech along the beach? Who’s tooting with that hooting? Come find
out on a prowl to learn about the mysterious owls found here in Western New
York. For
information and registration call (716) 745-7848.
Friday, March 28
7:00
p.m.-9:00 pm.
Night Sounds
Evangola
State Park
Night
Sounds is a journey through dusk into the world of night. Listen for the sleigh
bell serenade of Spring Peepers under shooting stars and a copper Mars. Will the
Wood Frogs quack and the timber doodles twitter? Do screech owls whinny and can
Barred Owls call for dinner? Find out on a night hike softly illuminated by our
candle lanterns.
For
information and registration call (716) 826-8895.
Saturday, March 29
10:00
a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Winter
is gone, time to get out, stretch those legs and get some fresh air! Come join
us as we explore along the rim of the Niagara Gorge as well as a walk over to
DeVeaux Woods. Let’s welcome once again the sights and sounds that springtime
brings us.
For
information and registration call (716) 745-7848.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Snowshoe at
Knox Farm State Park
January
6, January 20, January 27, February 3, 2008
On
availability and snow!
Sundays-
9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Meet
at the Audubon Room/Sheep Barn
Snowshoe at
Fort Niagara State Park
January
19, February 9,
February
23, March 15, March 29, 2008
On
availability and snow!
Saturdays-
9:00 a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Meet
at the Fort Niagara Nature Center
Winterfests:
Join
state park naturalists at:
Village
of Williamsville Winterfest
February
10, 2008
snowshoeing:
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sponsored
by the Village of Williamsville Recreation Dept.
Evangola
State Park Winterfest
February
16 and 17, 2008
A
celebration of winter fun with plenty of free activities including snowshoeing
from 1p.m. - 4 p.m., hayrides, snowmobile rides and a snowman building contest.
Watch a firefighter winter rescue contest while you munch on a reasonably-priced
chicken B.B.Q. On Saturday the Buffalo Nordic Ski Club will conduct a Cross
Country Ski Workshop and trail tour at 10a.m. Call for information (716)
826-8895.