Events
Special Event
Training
Educational Presentation
Guided Hike
Kids and Families
Volunteer Opportunity
Nature Exploration
Older Adult Program
Tabling Event
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Santa Land 2025 Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Location: Chestnut Ridge Save the date for our annual Santa Land Event! |
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Winter Nature Hike Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - Location: Como Lake - Meeting Location Como Casino Building Join Ranger Matt as he leads a Winter Nature Hike at Como Lake Park. Come explore one of Erie County's Heritage Parks as we trek along some Cayuga Creek trails. Please review the hike summary to be sure this hike is a good fit for you! · Meeting Place: Como Lake Park Casino · Duration: 1-1.5 hours · Elevation: Varied · Surface Description: Mix of paved roadways and dirt trails; potential for icy conditions · Equipment Needed: Warm waterproof winter boots; weather appropriate clothing · Other: Dog friendly, no wheelchair or stroller accessibility |
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Guided Hike: Hike in the New Year! Thursday, January 1, 2026 - Location: Emery Park - Meeting Location Emery Fieldhouse Join Park Ranger Austin as he leads a Winter Nature Hike at Emery Park, please review the hike summary to be sure this hike is a good fit for you! · Meeting Location: Emery Park Fieldhouse · Duration: 1-2 hours · Elevation: Varied · Surface Description: Mix of paved roadways and dirt trails; potential for icy conditions · Equipment Needed: Warm waterproof winter boots; weather appropriate clothing · Other: Dog friendly, no wheelchair or stroller accessibility |
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Winter Trivia Hike Sunday, January 11, 2026 - Location: Chestnut Ridge - Meeting Location Chestnut Ridge Park Casino We will enjoy a moderately vigorous hike in Erie County’s flagship park and try our luck with trivia questions from a number of subjects. · Meeting Location: Meet at the glorious Chestnut Ridge Park Casino · Duration: Approximately 90 minutes · Distance: Approximately 2 miles · Elevation: No significant elevation changes · Trail Conditions: Roads and some trails, conditions will be specific to day of program. · Equipment Needed: Sturdy and waterproof winter boots, dress for the weather day of program, bring poles if you use them · Other: Dogs are welcome on a leash. This program is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. |
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Fossil Exploration Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Location: Akron Falls - Meeting Location: Akron Falls Park, Falls Parking Join Ranger Nikki to explore the types of fossils found in Akron Falls Park! Starting at the magnificent falls itself learn about the types of rocks found here, their importance and why we have fossils throughout the park! Bring your inner explorer because we are going fossil hunting! · Meeting Location: Akron Falls Park, Falls Parking Lot · Duration: 1-2 Hours · Elevation: Hilly, will be walking FLT trail from the falls to the reservoir and then back up the hill to the main roadway · Surface Description: Cement, stone. May be snowy, muddy and icy. · Equipment Needed: Proper footwear, dress warm for the winter weather, walking sticks encouraged · Other: Dogs are welcome, no wheelchair or stroller accessibility |
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Frozen Footprints: A Wildlife Tracking Expedition Saturday, January 24, 2026 - Location: Bureau of Forestry - Erie County Bureau of Forestry Sawmill & Sugar Shack, Main Lot Join Park Ranger Adam on an exciting adventure through a 1,000-acre forest as we search for signs of winter animal activity. Learn how to track wildlife, identify animal footprints, and discover which species thrive during the harsh winter months in Erie County’s diverse Forestry Lots. Bundle up for a day of exploration and immerse yourself in the beauty of one of the region’s most unique public forests! · Meeting Location: Erie County Bureau of Forestry Sawmill & Sugar Shack, Main Lot · Duration: Approximately 2 hours · Distance: Approximately 2 miles · Elevation: Light elevation change · Surface Description: Forested trails, potential for snow/ice/mud · Equipment Needed: Proper footwear, gloves, coats. Layers recommended · Other: The warming shelter and restrooms will be available before and after the program. Dogs are welcome on a leash. This program is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Register for Frozen Footprints: A Wildlife Tracking Expedition |
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Winter Preparedness: The 10 Essentials for Winter Exploration Saturday, January 31, 2026 - Location: Sprague Brook - Meeting Location: Sprague Brook Park, Park Casino Join Park Ranger Adam at Sprague Brook Park to learn the 10 Essentials for Winter Preparedness. After a quick introduction to key survival tips, we'll be putting your new knowledge into practice as we explore some of the Park's extensive trail network. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting out, this program will help you stay safe and confident in the winter wilderness. · Meeting Location: Sprague Brook Park, Park Casino · Duration: Approximately 2 hours · Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles · Elevation: Moderate elevation change · Surface Description: Forested trails, potential for snow/ice/mud · Equipment Needed: Proper footwear, gloves, coat. Layers recommended! · Other: Casino restrooms and fireplace will be available before and after the program. Dogs are welcome on a leash. This program is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Register for Winter Preparedness: The 10 Essentials for Winter Exploration |
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The Winter Beach Saturday, February 7, 2026 - Location: Wendt Park - Meeting Location: Main Parking Lo Join Park Ranger Roy to check out the beach in our tumultuous winter season. It may be ice free, it may be ice covered- who knows? Last winter we had “ice volcanoes”! · Meeting Location: Main Parking Lot · Duration: 60 to 90 minutes · Distance: Up to one mile · Elevation: No significant elevation changes · Trail Conditions: There may be paved walkway, trail and different assorted conditions on the beach. · Equipment Needed: Wear sturdy and waterproof boots, hiking poles if you use them. Dress for conditions on the day of program and remember that the beach is nearly always windy. If conditions are icy bring crampons if you have them. · Other: This program is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. |
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Finding Love in the Dead of Winter (Owl Edition) Saturday, February 14, 2026 - Location: Ellicott Creek - Ellicott Creek Park, Casino Join Ranger Nikki for a nighttime walk searching for our quietest nocturnal bird, the owl. Learn owl calls and some interesting facts about the species we have here in our parks. This program will start inside with a short seminar about owl species and how they are the first species to mate every season. After, we will head out in hopes of catching some owls calling out looking for love! · Location: Ellicott Creek Park, Casino · Duration: 1-2 hours · Elevation: Varied elevation · Surface Description: Paved walkway but may go down grass trail · Equipment Needed: Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather, it could be cold · Other: This is a very quiet program- no dogs please Register for Finding Love in the Dead of Winter (Owl Edition) |
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Bird Feeder Crafts Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Location: Chestnut Ridge - Meeting Location : Chestnut Ridge Casino Join Ranger Nikki at the Chestnut Ridge Casino making some easy bird feeder crafts to take home and hang around your yard for the birds that like to stay during the winter. All materials will be provided! Come sledding and make a craft while getting warmed up! · Meeting Location: Chestnut Ridge Park, Casino · Duration: 1-2 hours · Elevation: None · Surface Description: Inside · Equipment needed: All materials will be provided |
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Winter Tree Identification Sunday, February 22, 2026 - Location: Franklin Gulf - Meeting Location: Franklin Gulf -Larkin Road Lot We are lucky enough to live in a region that has beautiful forests with fall foliage that dazzles the eye. After the leaves fall the trees go largely dormant, join Ranger Austin for a walk and a chance to start picking up the cues for tree identification when the deciduous trees have shed their leaves. We will learn basic cues to help identify trees we find. · Meeting Location: Franklin Gulf -Larkin Road Lot · Duration: 1.5-2 hours · Elevation: Varied elevation, steep in some areas; potential for icy conditions · Trail Conditions: Most likely snowy · Equipment Needed: Bring your 10 essentials, waterproof clothes and boots and any hiking gear you prefer; potential for icy conditions · Other: Not dog friendly, no wheelchair or stroller accessibility |
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History Hike Sunday, March 1, 2026 - Location: Emery Park - Meeting Location: Emery Park Fieldhouse Join Ranger Matt for a walk in the past at Emery Park. Come explore one of Erie County's Heritage Parks and learn some history of the property, the family that owned it, and its place in our park system. · Meeting Location: Emery Park Fieldhouse https://maps.app.goo.gl/xbeXTd649AVHdnJE9 · Duration: 1-2 hours · Elevation: Varied elevation, steep in some areas; potential for icy conditions · Trail Conditions: Most likely snowy/icy · Equipment Needed: Bring your 10 essentials, waterproof clothes and boots and any hiking gear you prefer; potential for icy conditions · Other: Not dog friendly, no wheelchair or stroller accessibility |