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The Subnivean: Winter’s Hidden World 2/2/25
 
Kids and Families

The Subnivean: Winter’s Hidden World ~ Franklin Gulf Park ~

Sunday, February 2, 2025

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Location: Franklin Gulf - Meeting Location: Franklin Gulf Park, Larkin Road Parking

Have you ever asked where all the small critters go in the winter? Have you ever seen tunnels in the snow and wondered where they came from? How do trees play a part in winter travel for wildlife? Join Ranger Adam and get all of these questions answered by discovering the secrets of the subnivean!

· Meeting Place: Franklin Gulf Park, Larkin Road Parking Lot 

· Duration: 1-2 hours

· Elevation: Varied elevation

· Surface Description: Wooded trails; potential for icy and/or muddy conditions

· Equipment Needed: Sturdy boots, dress for the weather; crampons recommended

· Other: Dog friendly, no stroller or wheelchair accessibility

Register for The Subnivean: Winter’s Hidden World ~ Franklin Gulf Park ~

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2/9/25 Animal Tracks
 
Kids and Families

Animal Track ~Sprague Brook Park ~

Sunday, February 9, 2025

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Location: Sprague Brook - Meeting Location: Sprague Brook Casino Parking Lot

Join Ranger Adam for a winter hike through Sprague Brook Park in search of animal tracks and signs! Learn how to identify many animal footprints so you can learn what's in your own backyard! What if there isn’t snow or mud to help see the animal tracks? Ranger Adam will teach you what to look for to determine what creatures have been through your area!

· Meeting Place: Sprague Brook Park Casino Parking Lot 

· Duration: 1-2 hours

· Elevation: Varied elevation

· Surface Description: Mix of paved roads, grassy areas, and wooded trails; potential for icy conditions

· Equipment Needed: Sturdy boots, dress for the weather

· Other: Dog friendly, no stroller or wheelchair accessibility

Register for Animal Track ~Sprague Brook Park ~

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2/15/25  Finding Love in the Dead of Winter (Skunk Edition)
 
Kids and Families

Finding Love in the Dead of Winter (Skunk Edition) ~ Ellicott Creek Park ~

Saturday, February 15, 2025

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Location: Ellicott Creek - Meeting Location: Ellicott Creek Casino Parking Lot

Join Ranger Nikki and learn about the first mammals that find love every year! Much like an old Looney Tunes favorite, Pepé Le Pew, skunks may have a putrid odor but are able to overcome that (and the frigid cold) all in pursuit of love and romance! Learn about skunk behavior and other fun facts about this mammal in an easy hike around Ellicott Creek Park!

· Meeting Place: Ellicott Creek Park, Casino Parking Lot 

· Duration: 1-2 hours

· Elevation: Flat

· Surface Description: Cement, stone, grass. May be snowy, muddy and icy.

· Equipment Needed: Proper footwear, walking sticks encouraged, dress warm for the winter weather

· Other: Dog friendly, not fully wheelchair or stroller accessible

Register for Finding Love in the Dead of Winter (Skunk Edition) ~ Ellicott Creek Park ~

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The 10 Essentials for Winter Preparedness Chestnut Ridge Park
 
Kids and Families

The 10 Essentials for Winter Preparedness ~ Chestnut Ridge Park ~

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

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Location: Chestnut Ridge - Meeting Place: Chestnut Ridge Park Casino

Don’t let the cold keep you inside this winter! Join Ranger Greg for a hike as he guides you through the essential tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the winter wilderness.

· Meeting Place: Chestnut Ridge Park Casino

· Duration: 1-1.5 hours

· Elevation: Slight elevation gain

· Trail Conditions: Potential for snowy conditions, ice and wind. Will be walking paved and unpaved trails

· Equipment Needed: Winter clothing, boots, hats & gloves; crampons recommended

· Other: Dog friendly, no stroller or wheelchair accessibility.

Register for The 10 Essentials for Winter Preparedness ~ Chestnut Ridge Park ~

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2/23/25 Winter Tree Identification
 
Kids and Families

Winter Tree Identification ~ Emery Park ~

Sunday, February 23, 2025

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Location: Emery Park - Meeting Place: Emery Park Fieldhouse

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 Roy 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 Place: Emery Park Fieldhouse
· Duration: 1-2 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

Register for Winter Tree Identification ~ Emery Park ~

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2025 maple syrup programs graphic
 
Guided Hike

Maple Syrup Facility - Group Tour

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Location: Bureau of Forestry - Bureau of Forestry Visitor's Center and Maple Sugar Shack

Book your classroom or group for a tour of the maple syrup facility and sugar bush at the Erie County Parks Bureau of Forestry. Learn how we produce maple syrup from sap running from the sugar bush in our Forestry lot and even get a taste! Tour the historic Fales sawmill and see Forestry in action!

Pre-registration is required and programs are subject to availability. 

Register by submitting a Program Request Form: https://www3.erie.gov/parks/form/ranger-program-request.

Register for Maple Syrup Facility - Group Tour

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3/1/25 Coffee with a Ranger
 
Kids and Families

Coffee with a Ranger ~ Chestnut Ridge Park ~

Saturday, March 1, 2025

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Location: Chestnut Ridge - Chestnut Ridge Park Casino Meeting Room

Join Erie County Park Ranger Nikki for a meet and greet at the Chestnut Ridge Casino! Ranger Nikki will be hanging out by the fireplace discussing the ranger program, the history of our parks and answering any curious questions you may have about life in the parks department! Join her for a couple hours of conversation with coffee and donuts provided!

· Meeting Place: Chestnut Ridge Park, Casino Meeting Room

· Duration: 1-2 hours

· Elevation: None, this is a seated event

· Surface Description: None, inside event

· Equipment Needed: Bring your own coffee and snacks if you like. Questions related to the parks, or the Park Rangers encouraged

· Other: Not dog friendly, wheelchair/stroller accessible, donuts and coffee also provided

Register for Coffee with a Ranger ~ Chestnut Ridge Park ~

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2025 maple syrup programs graphic
 
Guided Hike

2025 Maple Syrup Season - Group Tour

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Location: Bureau of Forestry - Bureau of Forestry Visitor's Center and Maple Sugar Shack

Book your classroom or group for a tour of the maple syrup facility and sugar bush at the Erie County Parks Bureau of Forestry. Learn how we produce maple syrup from sap running from the sugar bush in our Forestry lot and even get a taste! Tour the historic Fales sawmill and see Forestry in action!

Pre-registration is required and programs are subject to availability. 

Register by submitting a Program Request Form.

Register for 2025 Maple Syrup Season - Group Tour

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2025 maple syrup programs graphic
 
Guided Hike

2025 Maple Syrup Season - Group Tour

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Location: Bureau of Forestry - Bureau of Forestry Visitor's Center and Maple Sugar Shack

Book your classroom or group for a tour of the maple syrup facility and sugar bush at the Erie County Parks Bureau of Forestry. Learn how we produce maple syrup from sap running from the sugar bush in our Forestry lot and even get a taste! Tour the historic Fales sawmill and see Forestry in action!

Pre-registration is required and programs are subject to availability. 

Register by submitting a Program Request Form

Register for 2025 Maple Syrup Season - Group Tour

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2025 maple syrup programs graphic
 
Guided Hike

Sugar Shack Open House!

Saturday, March 15, 2025

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Location: Bureau of Forestry - Bureau of Forestry Visitor's Center and Maple Sugar Shack

Visit the Bureau of Forestry Sugar Shack and Fales sawmill for public demonstrations of our maple syrup operation and guided hikes of the sugar bush! Learn how the Bureau of Forestry produces maple syrup during the 2025 maple season! 

Registration is not required and this program is free. 

Warming hut and restrooms will be open. 

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Maple Fest March 22 10am to 4pm
 
Special Event

Maple Fest

Saturday, March 22, 2025

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Location: Bureau of Forestry - Bureau of Forestry Visitor's Center and Maple Sugar Shack

Event includes:

TapTrekker from 42 North, live local music, tours of the sugar bush, demonstrations of maple syrup in process, maple baked goods, sawmill demonstrations and Park Ranger education