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Activities
Summer
scenic driving, forest hiking, biking, and trail explorations. There are places for family and group picnicking, as well as great children's play areas. We also have 12 tennis courts, which offer court lighting from April 15th - September 30th each year, and other various informal diamonds.
Chestnut Ridge Park contains The Ravine 18-hole Disc Golf Course. To find out more information about the course, Click Here. Course Map
There are many great outdoor activities to experience in all seasons. There is an outdoor athletic sports field as well as family picnic grills. A little-known section of the park is the southwest portion, sometimes referred to as the “Shale Creek Preserve.” It is within this remote section that nature is at its finest, with its seemingly primitive wooded ravines and a most unique natural feature, the “Eternal Flame Falls.” NOTICE: From mid-July to mid-August 2023, the trail to the Eternal Flame will be CLOSED for repair and upgrades. A detour route will be marked. Do not attempt to access the original trail until it is reopened.
As a park with natural aquatic features, aquatic alerts of various types may have been issued. Be sure to check these sites below!
- For more information about preventing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48221.html
- For more information on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html
- To learn more about Fish Consumption Advisories for Western New York, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/health_advisories/regional/western.htm
Winter
Tobogganing, sledding, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing (ungroomed), hiking, and snowmobiling on designated trails. Please visit this website for more information on the snowmobiling trail updates. ( www.wnysnowtrails.com ) The sled hill is open daily from 10AM-8PM (when conditions allow). The Ski Tow is operational Wednesday - Friday 3PM-7PM and 10AM-7PM on weekends and holidays. Tobogganing is open on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 10AM-4PM. Check under Winter Activities on the Parks home page for daily status.
Park Facilities
Chestnut Ridge has 2 indoor buildings available for rent year-round, as well as various shelters available May 15- Oct 15. The Commissioners Cabin is available to rent April 15- Nov 30.
The Lower Meeting Room of the Casino is now available to rent on our reservation page up until March 30th of 2023. Any date after will require a Special Request through our website. The space accommodates approximately 60 people, and will be available from 10am- close. Alcohol is prohibited in the Lower Meeting Room. Great for birthday parties!
History
Chestnut Ridge, named by early settlers of the region for the wealth of Great Chestnut trees on the hills. The park is approximately 1151 acres. The Casino, est. in 1925 provided a meeting area for public and private uses. Included in the Casino designs were a fireplace, concession counter and observation platform on the upper level- it offered an impressive view of Buffalo to the Canadian shore. A timber and stone structure replaced the original in 1938; this Casino structure remains in commission today.
Map of the Eternal Flame Trail
Make your shelter/building reservation online or call (716) 858-8355 from 8:00 to 3:45 weekdays.
The Chestnut Ridge Conservancy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to work closely with the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry to be of help as an added resource for restoration and improvements to, and the hosting of events, in Chestnut Ridge Park. Generous contributions of time and talent from our Board of Directors as well as financial contributions from the public make our mission possible.
