Go Off-the-Beaten-Path: Erie's Lesser Known Sylvan Arcadias
Nurture a deeper appreciation for nature this spring
After a brutal winter season where Erie and Syracuse, New York were duking it out for the title of America's Snowiest City in the Golden Snow Globe Competition, spring has finally arrived. It's the time of the year when many are simply ready to get back outside to breathe in some fresh air, soak in some sunshine, and get back in touch with nature. Of course, there are plenty of well-known outdoor staples for such occasions including Presque Isle, Asbury Woods, and Wintergreen Gorge — but if you are itching for some new places to explore the springtime beauty that Erie County has to offer, here are a few ideas to get you started.
West Branch French Creek Conservation Area
Only a couple of miles past Seneca High School on Wattsburg Road is the West Branch French Creek Conservation Area. This preserve is over 1,000 acres of uplands and wetlands and includes over six miles of frontage along French Creek. Near the parking lot is a paved and handicapped-accessible path that takes visitors to a pavilion with tables and outside grills, perfect for an afternoon picnic. There is also a one-mile unpaved dog-friendly hiking loop as well as a boardwalk providing scenic views of the wetlands. You'll see beaver dams, ponds, and plenty of birds including cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, warblers, red-tailed hawks, and, if you're lucky, bald eagles.
Speaking of French Creek, if you have never had the pleasure of kayaking or canoeing it, there are plenty of public access points across the county for you to paddle along the same water route that George Washington famously once took. Find an experienced friend and enjoy a few hours of quiet on the creek.
On your way to or from the West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, you can also make a pit stop at the 61-acre glacier-made, groundwater-fed Lake Pleasant located in Venango Township just past the Greene Township line. There's a boat launch for non-motorized boats, great spots for fishing, or you can merely find a spot to sit down, relax your brain, and take in the flora, fauna, and fresh air.
As my own kids hear me repeat every time we drive by it, Lake Pleasant quite famously is the site where the Moon Mammoth was discovered by scuba diver George Moon in 1991. It remains one of the most complete mammoth skeletons ever discovered (currently located at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg for research purposes). If you are lucky while at the lake, you may also get to see scuba divers in action, as the lake is used often for certification diving.
This state park, officially established in 2004, is definitely not unknown, but it still surprises me how many people who live in Erie County have told me they have never visited. Just past Lake City and only 12 miles west of Erie is the nearly 600-acre park which has a full mile of undeveloped shoreline that includes vertigo-inducing bluffs nearly 100 feet high overlooking Lake Erie.
You can explore the old growth forest, dip your toes into Elk Creek, and look for some of the dozens of species of birds, mammals, plants, reptiles, amphibians, and fungi while on your journey. Afterwards, swing on over to Raccoon Park in East Springfield for some additional exploring and, once they reopen in May, drive a few extra minutes to Conneaut, Ohio for some shredded turkey sandwiches and a frosty root beer at the White Turkey Drive-in.
Maybe I shouldn't advertise one of my favorite super duper secret summer spots, but, hey, sharing is caring, right? This 72-acre park is located off Route 8 on Wager Road, nestled, of all places, between an industrial park and Interstate 90. Made up of streams, wetlands, woods, and meadows, it's a little taste of reclaimed forest paradise only a few minutes from the city.
The park gets its name for containing the headwaters of Mill Creek. It has eight intersecting and well-maintained trails totaling around three miles and includes a short but serene ADA accessible trail overlooking wetlands. The forest is populated with hemlock, yellow birch, beech, black willow, and maple trees.
It also serves as an educational hub on environmental sustainability. Many schools visit Headwaters Park throughout the year, which helps serve its intended purpose of connecting people with nature and building "a spirit of stewardship of the environment among its visitors." The best part? There are many times when visiting the park that we have had the whole woods to ourselves.
Past Harborcreek but before North East off of Clark Road is the 425-acre Six Mile Creek Park, gifted to Harborcreek Township by the county in 2011. While Wintergreen Gorge may get all of the glory, this is still an enjoyable outdoor visit if you are looking for a new place to explore. It has a short and sweet 0.7-mile loop, a handicap accessible trail, the peaceful Six Mile Creek, and plenty of scenic views that would look great on your Instagram. There are also numerous unmarked trails that people explore on land intended for future park development. As with Headwaters Park, there is also a good chance that you will have the whole place nearly to yourself.
Edinboro Lake is a great place to spend a day with family in the summertime. As we in Erie emerge from the hibernation of a long winter, getting outside and exploring the parks and forests throughout the county feels better than ever. (Contributed photo)
Just shy of the New York line, nestled between Ashton and Findley Lake roads is the Howard Eaton Reservoir, sometimes referred to as Bull Dam. This nearly 250-acre reservoir was built in 1941 on a tributary to French Creek to provide water for North East residents. Today, it has an easy and relaxing 3.2-mile trail around it called Bull Dam Loop along with numerous other wooded trails to the north and south of the reservoir. For fishing, the reservoir is plentiful with bass, bluegill, walleye, black crappie, and northern pike.
If you're looking to walk some serene beaches on Lake Erie, but want somewhere different than Presque Isle, give Shades Beach off of East Lake Road a visit. There is, of course, the beach where you can walk and search for the lake's famous beach glass, but there are also wooded trails on the bluffs overlooking the glistening lake, as well as a boat launch, rental pavilions, and a well-maintained playground. Swing by Park Tavern or Fiddle Inn on the way to pick up some of the area's best chicken wings to enjoy by the water. Just don't forget your napkins.
In 1966, Summit Township purchased Picnicana Park from the Klaus family, who had first established it as a picnic area in 1951. U.S. Army Veteran Andrew Klaus had dreamt of creating the park since his time in Europe during World War II and, upon his return, used 23 of his farm's 80 acres to build it. After the township purchased it, for years it was a popular spot for horseshoe leagues, volleyball and basketball camps, and other summer recreational activities. The Erie Times-News described it at the time as one of "nicest parks in the entire county."
Today, it still offers up 34 acres of woods to explore with 1.5 miles of trails added in 2014. The park also includes a great playground, as well as a softball field and basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and horseshoe courts.
While Crawford County has the popular Woodcock Dam, Erie County has its own dam located between Union City and Waterford, a short distance off Route 97 on Middleton Road. After the passage of the Flood Control Act of 1962, the dam was authorized and then completed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1971 to prevent flooding along French Creek.
The dam's gate is open from 7 a.m. to dusk all year to soak in the tranquil views, take a hike, bird watch, or fish the water's perch, bluegill, crappie, and occasional muskie. Picnic tables, grills, and restrooms are also available.
Edinboro Lake is a 250-acre glacial kettle lake that is a popular summer spot for locals and tourists. If you attended Edinboro University or lived in one of the surrounding towns, you already likely know that Edinboro Lake has some unique summer lake town vibes. On the west side of the lake, there is Pat Crawford Beach and the uniquely designed Billings Park Playground. Kayaks can be rented daily at the south boat launch along Lakeside Drive. Simply walking up and down Pine, Maple, Hickory, and Walnut streets, looking at all the various summertime houses and cottages is an enjoyable time.
On the eastern side of the lake is Edinboro Lake Resort where you can snag some grub at the Sunset Grill overlooking the water, hear some live music, and rent kayaks, canoes, or pontoon boats. If you have friends or family visiting from out of town, have them skip the hotel and instead rent one of their one or two-bedroom log cabins right on the lake. While in Edinboro, you can also check out the Hurry Hill Farm Maple Museum, Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm, and, of course, the original John's Wildwood Pizzeria.
Jonathan Burdick runs the public history project Rust & Dirt. He can be reached at jburdick@eriereader.com
