Events
Special Event
Training
Educational Presentation
Guided Hike
Kids and Families
Volunteer Opportunity
Nature Exploration
Older Adult Program
Tabling Event
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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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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Location: Emery Park - Meeting Location : Field House Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join Environmental Specialist Wendy on a winter walk through Emery Park. Bundle up for a morning of exploration and immerse yourself in the beauty of one of the region’s most wonderful winter recreation destinations! If there is snow, we encourage you to bring snowshoes and Wendy will provide a few extra pairs for those who want to try them out.
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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 |
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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - Location: Akron Falls - Meeting Location: Falls Parking Lot Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join a Park Ranger on a hike to raging Akron Falls. Bundle up for a morning of exploration of the murder creek trail that leads to the mighty spring flow of Akron Falls.
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Maple Fest Saturday, March 21, 2026 - Location: Bureau of Forestry More details to come. |
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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - Location: Eighteen Mile Creek - Meeting Location: Parking Lot Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join the Environmental Specialist Wendy on a hike along the upper rim trail of Eighteen Mile Creek Conservation Park gorge. As we take in the beautiful views of the gorge, we will look for spring ephemeral flowers and flower buds.
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Friday Field Days Friday, April 10, 2026 - Location: Thomas F. Higgins Natural Habitat Park (Bailey Peninsula) - Parking Lot Friday Field Days engage volunteers in habitat management and park stewardship projects. Park Staff will teach you about the task and provide tools. Volunteers Needed: 10
Task: Planting native perennials, seeding, and strawing
Rain Date April 17th
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Friday Field Days Friday, May 1, 2026 - Location: Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park - Parking Lot Friday Field Days engage volunteers in habitat management and park stewardship projects. Park Staff will teach you about the task and provide tools. Volunteers Needed: 20
Task: Invasive Species Pull - Garlic Mustard, Thistle, Teasel
Notes: All tools will be provided however we recommend you wear long pants and sleeves to prevent scratches.
Rain Date May 8th
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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - Location: Sergeant Mark A. Rademacher Memorial Park/Hunters Creek - Meeting Location: Parking Lot Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join the Environmental Specialist Wendy and a Ranger on a dual hike where you can pick either the moderate or the high-level difficulty! Wendy will lead the moderate group on a shortened version of an intense hike lead by the park ranger. You can decide as you hike to either turn around with Wendy or continue on with the ranger.
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Friday Field Days Friday, June 5, 2026 - Location: Red Jacket Natural Habitat Park - Parking Lot Friday Field Days engage volunteers in habitat management and park stewardship projects. Park Staff will teach you about the task and provide tools
Volunteers Needed: 20
Task: Invasive Species Pull - Thistle, Teasel, Dames Rocket
Notes: All tools will be provided however we recommend you wear long pants and sleeves to prevent scratches.
Rain Date June 11th
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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - Location: Como Lake - Meeting Location: Casino Parking Lot Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join the Environmental Specialist Wendy on a leisurely walk through the park to the light house! We will cross over three bridges over Cayuga Creek as we walk and look for birds, butterflies, and turtles. This park is a great place to be on a hot summer day.
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Friday Field Days Friday, July 17, 2026 - Location: - TBD Friday Field Days engage volunteers in habitat management and park stewardship projects. Park Staff will teach you about the task and provide tools
Volunteers Needed: 15
Task: Newly planted tree care such as watering, weeding, replacement staking
Notes: The location will be determined by June 17th and the event updated. It will depend on the site most in need
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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, August 5, 2026 - Location: Sprague Brook - Meeting Location: Cross Country Ski Trail Parking Lot Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join the Environmental Specialist Wendy on a summer hike of the cross country ski trail! On this hike we will explore the forests at the park and also the adjacent forestry lot. This park is a great place to be on a hot summer day.
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Friday Field Days Friday, August 7, 2026 - Location: Thomas F. Higgins Natural Habitat Park (Bailey Peninsula) - Parking Lot Friday Field Days engage volunteers in habitat management and park stewardship projects. Park Staff will teach you about the task and provide tools
Volunteers Needed: 20
Task: Invasive Species Seedhead clipping - Teasel and Thistle
Notes: All tools will be provided however we recommend you wear long pants and sleeves to prevent scratches.
Rain Date Aug. 14th
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Friday Field Days Friday, September 11, 2026 - Location: Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park - Parking Lot Friday Field Days engage volunteers in habitat management and park stewardship projects. Park Staff will teach you about the task and provide tools
Volunteers Needed: 20
Task: Native Perennial plug planting
Notes: All tools will be provided
Rain Date Sept. 18th
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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - Location: Franklin Gulf - Meeting Location: Larkin Road Parking Lot Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join the Environmental Specialist Wendy on the orange loop trail through this conservation park’s forest! We will hike along a creek, up and down ravines, while listening to the sounds of the forests and breathing in the clean hemlock scented air.
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Friday Field Days Friday, October 2, 2026 - Location: - TBD Friday Field Days engage volunteers in habitat management and park stewardship projects. Park Staff will teach you about the task and provide tools
Volunteers Needed: 15
Task: Native Tree Planting
Notes: The location will be determined by September 2nd and the event updated. It will depend on the site most in need and the nursery stock available.
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Senior Hiking Club Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - Location: Wendt Park - Meeting Location: Main Parking Lot Join us as we partner with Erie County Senior Services for their Senior Hiking Club. The Hiking Club is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. Summary: Join a park ranger on a fall stroll along the beach and boardwalk at Wendt Beach Park! Enjoy the fall orange colors contracting with the rich blue of Lake Erie water. Perhaps see some spooky nature sightings on our final Senior Hike of 2026.
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