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.

Winter Wildlife Survival

Niagara Falls State Park

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.

 

Saturday, January 26

11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Winter Nature Hike

Golden Hill State Park

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.

 

Saturday, February 9

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Cross-Country Ski Tour

Beaver Island  State Park

Join the naturalist and ski flat trails enjoying great views of the Niagara River.

For information and registration please call (716) 826-8895.

 

Saturday, February 16

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

 

Saturday, February 16

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

Field Guide to Animal Tracks

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

Learn about the fabulous ice bridges of the Niagara River and the many stories from years gone by. Take a walk with us to view this winter wonder of Niagara Falls. For information and registration call (716) 745-7848.

 

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.

 
Saturday, March 8

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

 
 
Saturday, March 8

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.

 
Saturday, March 22

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.

Exploring the Signs of Spring

Whirlpool State Park

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.