It was a great opportunity to go out and see the waves while collecting glass at Avonia Beach. As you know, we have continued to find opportunities to get outdoors and social distance, but also to try and find some shade from the sun. It has been warm over the last few weeks with temperatures easily reaching into the 80’s and 90’s consistently. That’s why we decided to wander around Brown’s Farm in Millcreek, Erie, PA.
Location
Brown’s Farm itself is an interesting place with respect to the location. While the main entrance of Brown’s Farm has the actual barn and a parking lot, the farm itself goes from a field with trails, then connects into woods along Walnut Creek, crosses a bridge, and eventually links up with Asbury Woods. This is a large property and easily one you can wander for hours. The specific location is on Sterrettania Road, across the street from Asbury Elementary School and Walnut Creek Middle School, and just North of Frank’s Farm Market and Bakery.
Property Description:
The property does have a Barn which is used for special events, educational programs, and more. The property also has a strong focus on understanding agriculture, watersheds, and land maintenance. The trails are long as well, as local schools continue to use Brown’s farm as their course for cross country running events. Brown’s Farm also uses the land in conjunction with Asbury woods, where they have multiple trail races and can easily fit a 5-mile-run onto the property.
Advertisements
Things to do:
The trails themselves are a great item to explore. There is access to Walnut Creek, room to walk, jog, or run, bike, fish, watch birds and look for other wildlife. This is an excellent spot for photography as there are many locations such as hills, bridges, and foliage throughout the property.
The woods also have more hills, while the front of the property is more of a field. This means you can venture as deep as you would like while being able to complete one of many loops or trails, depending on your preferred level of exercise in the day.
Even in the cooler weather Brown’s Farm remains popular, as the fall brings changing of the leaves and bright colors, while the winter allows for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Pets are also welcome here, as numerous dogs are found along the trails. As always, be sure to be responsible for your pet, and remember that dogs must remain on leashes. There is also a dog waste station at Brown’s Farm Barn. A note of warning, Pets are not permitted at festivals or events, and this is just for the safety of all guests as well as pets.
Who Can Go:
The trails are for anyone who wants to go, including pets, as already mentioned. The trails are open year-round during daylight hours, so whether you want to take a morning jog at sunrise, or go for a stroll in the evening, this is a great spot. Be aware that some of the terrain may be more difficult for those who don’t get around as easily. We had to leave the stroller in the car. And, while carrying a little one isn’t too difficult for most of this property, be aware the trails and paths do contain some hills, some roots, and some slightly uneven terrain.
Final Thoughts:
Remember that Erie, PA is in a cool climate. Depending on when you are watching or reading this, we are down to only a couple of weeks left of official summer. The days will get cooler soon, and if you are trying to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine before fall arrives, you really only have another month or two left. With that being said, Brown’s Farm is not just a great place to wander in the late summer, but even as we transition to fall.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
We had a ton of fun being spectators at the Erie Ultimate Disc Dogs event (which are still going on, so be sure to check them out!), it was time to let our toddler run around and explore. For that reason, we headed to Avonia Beach in Fairview, PA. We were also strategic in choosing a day after a storm for a handful of reasons.
Location
Avonia Beach Park can be found somewhat easily. Find Avonia road which cuts through Fairview, PA, and then head north. There isn’t technically an address that we could find, but there are many signs. You will also know you are there when you’ve reached the parking lot as well as where trout run empties into the lake.
Advertisements
Property Description:
The property itself has a decent sized beach. This is yet another way to get into the water without having to fight some of the larger crowds of Presque Isle. And if you are out in the west county area, this is a quick place to get to without needing to head down into the heart of Erie.
There is a long beachhead which stretches nearly 1,000 feet. And, though this isn’t the miles and miles of Presque Isle, it is certainly a great place to enjoy the waves and breeze if you are trying to have some privacy and maintain social distancing.
Things to do:
This access to the lake is not only a great place to enjoy sights, but it is a place to fish or swim. However, because fishing is allowed along trout run and at the beach, please be cautious when swimming as there could be lures. This is probably not a beach to travel on with bare feet, but wading in the water with shoes or crocs is completely doable.
Advertisements
We specifically chose to come out to this beach the night after a rainstorm (and it was still raining at the time) to look for beach glass! The rains and storms cause enough disruption in the lake that stones and glass are pushed around and have a better chance of floating into the shore during higher tides.
It also just so happens that if a toddler is going to splash in the water anyways, it doesn’t matter if it’s lightly raining outside! Just remember to bring a towel!
Another item to note is that there is a house available for renting. The Brugger house is a popular place to host parties for graduation, wedding receptions, showers, and more. Just contact Fairview Parks and Recreation at 814-474-5077.
Who Can Go:
This is a great spot for anyone in the family. The access to this beach can be a little harder to get to the water because there is a lot more rocks mixed in with the sand than in some places. However, you can park literally just feet away from the beach itself, so as far as accessing the beach – it’s not going to be hard to get to it. There are also benches and places to sit just off of the beach which make this have availability for all to enjoy the water.
Advertisements
In addition, there are plans in the works to install a viewing platform over trout run, and to have a handicap accessible fishing platform, so anyone can find something to do here when it comes to the water, and more accessibility and additions are on the way.
Final Thoughts:
Besides just the water itself which could be for splashing, swimming, or fishing, this is a quiet park with ample wildlife. In addition to the Brugger house for possible rental, this is a place where some can come and just walk and talk, take photos, skip rocks, or hunt for beach glass. If you are looking for a place to go when it comes to the outdoors, this is another place to check out. It’s worth the drive if you aren’t on the west side of Erie, Pa, and if you’re already out there it’s a quick spot to get away and enjoy the view while passing the time for anyone in the family.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
Once our hard work of picking and then pickling the cucumbers was over, we wanted to try something new. After all, our goal has been to get out and see what Erie, PA has to offer. And while the era of social distancing has certainly limited our ability to try new places indoors, we still want to wander to new locations. That’s why we decided to check out Erie Ultimate Disc Dogs, and believe it’s something everyone should as well!
Location
Erie Ultimate Disc Dogs competes at Lucky Dog Stay and Play. The location is at 9170 Lake Pleasant Road, Erie, PA 16509. Once you enter the facility and head down the driveway, you will want to maintain your current direction and head straight back into the field. You will drive past the gate on what looks like a road only big enough for one car, but then there is ample room for parking.
These competitions occur multiple days throughout the year, and we highly encourage you to check out their Facebook page first, as the specific events they are running might be more interesting to you. For example, the month of August has the K9 toss and fetch league running on Sundays at 9AM. However, another competition is already slated for the fall league starting in September and going into October.
Property Description:
Because these competitions are literally competitions, in some ways this is no different from any other sporting event. There are a handful of spectators, but there is ample room for social distancing. In addition, watching the various abilities of these dogs is true entertainment.
As pet owners, even having the slightest amount of discipline in a dog is impressive. In addition, all of the dogs had their own personality. Some of them were more focused on the sport itself, and one or two may have been looking more to socialize or were just out there to have fun. However, all of the dogs were amazing at their craft. This activity was certainly something new, and something to take in. And, being a spectator of this event was enjoyable.
Things to do:
This is a spectator event! Bring a small lawn chair or a blanket to sit down on. The way it seems to work is that every dog gets a chance to chase down frisbees, and the spectator areas are perfect as they give you the opportunity to watch the competition right in front of where the dogs are catching the frisbees. In addition, more competitions are set to go, and at some of the events it appears as if you can even bring your own dog. However, remember that these are competitions and so you are responsible for your pup!
Final Thoughts:
Our goal has been to try new things and get out of the house. This certainly crossed off both items from our list. In addition, our toddler was absolutely mesmerized with the different dogs, and didn’t want to leave when we actually headed out. The venue was open and provided space, and there was even an ice cream truck that made an appearance, so there is fun for the whole family if you are looking for something to do. There may still be more to explore with this as well, because they continue to have events almost every weekend it seems and we only were there for one of them. However, we will probably be wandering back to this one at some point in the future.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
After traveling down the path known as the Corry Junction Greenway Trail, we looked for an opportunity to get outdoors but also knew there would be a few days of rain coming. For that reason, we knew this was the perfect season to go gather some Pickles at Mason Farms.
This is certainly not a *new* destination, as we previously have been to Mason Farms for both strawberry picking, as well as raspberry picking. However, as the seasons change, so does the type of fruits or vegetables that are available.
Location
If you haven’t been here yet, now is another great opportunity! Mason Farms Country Market is located on 8603 W Lake Rd, Lake City, PA 16423. It is located on Route 5, and while the stand is open at the front of the property with a small parking lot, if you are trying to go pick pickles (cucumber pickles that is), you need to drive the dirt road back into the field. It’s a simple road that is a straight shot back, and in addition to pickles there are other items still in season.
Property Description:
In addition to cucumber pickles, at this point Mason Farms still has raspberries, as well as Blueberries to be picked. There are other items getting ready to come into season, however, so by the time you read this there could be other fresh fruits or veggies to be had.
Things to do:
This was a very simple day compared to the other times we have been picking items at Mason Farms. Compare the size of a strawberry or a raspberry to a cucumber, and you can imagine why. We filled up a basket which gave us probably around 4 or 5 dozen pickles. They vary in size, but the average one was about 4 inches long, and 2 inches in diameter. Filling up a basket of pickles literally only took about 10 minutes.
One point of note: While we only picked a single basket of pickles, there were other patrons there who picked multiple baskets and of multiple fruits and veggies.
Who Can Go:
This activity was actually one of the easiest we had done. Compared to the size and fragility of raspberries (not to mention the prickers on the vines), picking cucumber pickles is a very easy thing to do. The cucumbers are much more stable for young hands than a raspberry (so less “destroyed” produce at the hands of our toddler). In addition, the size of the cucumbers means it’s a lot easier to spot one compared to trying to find berries behind leaves.
Final Thoughts:
Because this was such a short activity, we actually used many of the cucumber pickles themselves to jar pickles. This is another activity that can be done off of the cucumbers, and with a few more items that can be grabbed from the farm stand at the front of the property (for example. We grabbed peas, cauliflower, and peppers). You will of course need the other supplies such as vinegar and the mason jars, but this was an additional activity we were able to do in order to preserve the vegetables over the coming weeks and months. After all, while fresh food is a healthy part of any diet, it may be hard to eat 60 cucumbers in a week or two before they start to rot. For that reason, both the experience of picking the cucumber pickles, as well as the process of preserving them in jars, is a set of fun activities that the whole family can participate in.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
We took a fun trip recently to Presque Isle State Park, and while we have been active zigging and zagging around town for the Park Bingo event, one of the stops we decided to hit was the Corry Junction Greenway Trail. It was a great destination, a fun event, and one we would recommend. It was cut short, however, and that’s just part of the fun of wandering to new locations.
Location
Corry Junction Greenway Trail is a trail that starts in Corry, Pennsylvania, however, it travels up near Clymer, New York in Chautauqua county. This trail is accessible from both ends. In Pennsylvania, the entrance is near the intersection of Sciota Road and Sciota Street in Corry, Pa. In New York, it is at Knowlton Road.
Property Description:
This roughly 13.1-mile trail is something we were looking forward to doing, as there are many sights to see along the way. There are various forms of terrain on the trail itself, as it is not exactly paved. However, it is smooth enough with some rough spots, and some hilly portions of the trail. However, for the most part this is a very simple, clear, flat trail that attracts many individuals looking to get some exercise out and about in nature.
This trail is a straight line, in and out. It is mostly crushed stone, but not quite dirt for the ground itself. And, while you could always coordinate the trail to have a car waiting on the other end of the trail, most people head in and then either turn around at some point, or make the full distance before heading back.
It’s important to note that the entire trail from one length to another is only about six and a half miles, but that means heading all of the way down and then coming back would be the full loop of basically a half of a marathon.
Things to do:
At first glance, this trail literally seems like a simple activity. You walk down a well-maintained trail, through mostly nature and serene sights. However, it’s a lot more exciting than that. In addition to the countless opportunities for photography, there are runners and joggers, bike riders, hikers and walkers down and through the trail. Dogs are allowed so long as they are leashed, and while the terrain isn’t paved, it is easy enough for a stroller or a wheelchair. This is a warmer weather type of activity, however, as you probably don’t want to be trying to trek this trail with snow on the ground. However, at that point individuals have suggested this is an excellent trail for cross country skiing. And, though unconfirmed, snowmobiles may also be able to access this trail.
While unconfirmed, the historic site has also been classified and listed as a place for things such as ATVs and Horseback riding. We can’t confirm that at this time, but it would make sense as the trail is wide enough to support many people walking shoulder to shoulder.
And, while the number of animals to be seen is vast, you do want to keep your eyes open. This is the wild after all. For example, we were able to see birds, butterflies, and then a black bear crossed our path, right in front of us. With this in mind, we left! It is important to be safe in this process, and we wanted to go deeper, but it’s probably important to respect the bear’s wishes!
Who Can Go:
As long as you remember you are in the middle of nature, then this is a trail for anyone. If you are looking for a place to exercise, to photograph, to find animals, or just take a long walk, then this is an ideal location for you. In addition to the sites, the sounds of nature are something you should be able to enjoy. And, because the improvements and maintenance of the trail itself, whether keeping things properly mowed or having the correct drainage, this is a tremendous trail to explore.
Final Thoughts:
Be aware of what your goal is. Some of our wanderings have been places you can slip in and slip out. This is a great trail but it could take a bit of time to complete the whole thing. If you head deep into the trail and realize it’s been a while (or if you run face to face into a bear), then simply turn back! Don’t forget that however far you walk into the trail, you are going to need to walk that far back out!
This is a wonderful trail, regardless of your purposes, and the best thing is that every time you go you get a different experience. Sights, sounds, flora and fauna, the chances of experiencing something new are great. In a time of social distancing, this is one wander you should try.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
I hope you’re all doing well! We wanted to do something different today and give you some information on upcoming charity events in the Erie area! All the information was taken from Facebook and the nonprofit’s websites! Please support local causes! And if you know of other events we missed, please comment below!
Bark and Brunch
Join the Erie Humane Society on Saturday, August 8, 2020 for Bark & Brunch! They will have Tuxedo Dogs selling food, Sundae selling vegan treats, and bubbly refreshments made available by the Erie Humane Society. The first 100 dogs will receive a free doggy brunch bag. Admission is $10. Doggy activities include a Doggy Agility Contest, Puppy Pool Time, and a Pupsicle Stand with Pupsicles for donation.
Childrens activities include Popcorn, Slushies-for donation, Cotton Candy, and a Craft Station. There will also be a Bad Art Show! This is how it works: A $5 donation a portrait will be painted of your pet. A volunteer will paint a portrait of your pet within 15 minutes. There will also be a Shelter Pet Toy Box where you can purchase a $5 toy to help provide each shelter pet residing at the Erie Humane Society a new toy for their kennel (There are 124 Kennels).
There will be a 20% Discount on all pet adoptions from 10AM-1:30PM (August 8, 2020 only).
Open Air Craft Fair
Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary is having an Open Air Craft Fair! Stop by 12pm – 4pm on August 9! After you’re done stop in to meet our adoptable cats and kittens!
Erie Gives Day 2020
It’s the tenth year of Erie Gives! Join us to top off a decade of amazing generosity and community support. Nonprofits – register at ErieGives.org! Members – access the Erie Gives toolkit now at YourNPP.org! The minimum gift is $25. There is no limit to the amount of money you may give. There is no limit to the number of organizations you can donate to in a transaction. Credit Cards: Only Visa, MasterCard and Discover will be accepted. Checks: Donors can write a check for their Erie Gives donation. Prorated Match: The Erie Community Foundation and our sponsors will enhance donors’ gifts by providing a prorated match to each gift made to a nonprofit. Your Receipt: You will receive an email receipt of your gift, which you should retain for tax purposes. Unless you choose to remain anonymous, your donor information will be sent to the appropriate organizations. Questions about #ErieGives2020? Contact Khristina Bowman at kbowman@eriecommunityfoundation.org
2020 Grady’s Golf Tournament
The Annual Graden Vincent Smith Golf Tournament is held every year in August at Whispering Woods Golf Course in Erie, PA. The tournament is structured as a four person scramble. Both men and women are welcome to play in the tournament. At the tournament, prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 23rd, and last place teams. Proceeds from the tournament will help us continue our vision of assisting NICU families in need of support. They will take requests for tee times as they will not do a shotgun start this year. You can request early morning, late morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon teebtimes. They also will be taking 9 hole tee times. They only have room for the first 40 foursomes, so register today!
FUROCIOUS 5K Run/Walk and Children’s Fun Run Virtual Race
NEW DATE: RUN NOW UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2020. The Ashtabula County APL FURocious 5k Run/Walk & Kid’s Fun Run is now a VIRTUAL RACE. ONLINE REGISTRATION:
https://www.gcxcracing.com/furocious PACKET PICKUP: SEPTEMBER 3rd-6th during open hours@ Ashtabula APL 5970 Green Rd Ashtabula, Oh 44004 SOME FAQ:
1. What is a Virtual Run? You register for the event and run 3.1 miles wherever you want between NOW and August 31st. 2. What do I do after I complete my run? Email raceinfo@acapl.org or text (440)413-9250 with your name and 5k finish time. To be included in awards, you must submit your name and time by September 1st. 3. How do I pickup my shirt and medal? Stop by the APL on the days listed under packet pickup. Only 5k participants registered by 8/22 get a shirt. You must email or text your results in order to be included in the medals/trophies.
No Fleas Market
NOW COLLECTING DONATIONS for the NO FLEAS Market Purrista Yard Sale Fundraiser!
*PLEASE NO broken items. NO clothing WITH stains OR rips. NO OLD electronics, TVs, VCRs, or computers. ITEMS THEY WANT/NEED: (They are looking for items that you would sell at a garage sale): Tools, Books, Clothing, Kids Toys, Baby Gear, Home Décor, Small Furniture, Anything Vintage/Antiques, and any items in decent or gently used condition that you are looking to donate or get rid of. When you donate your used goods to the Purrista Sale, your donation has the potential to help find cats their forever homes. Items sold at The Purrista No Fleas Market will help raise start-up funds for the opening of Purrista Cat Café. DONATION DROP OFF DATES & TIMES: Every other Saturday starting July 18th from 11am-2pm (JULY 18 | AUG 1, AUG 15, AUG 29). Contactless Drop-Off will be behind the Bastion Studios … you can just leave your items by the back door. Someone will be there to get them into the studio for storage. VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY:
If you can volunteer the morning of the sale, Saturday, September 19, please let then know! They will need help setting up and “cashiers”. Email: PURRISTACATCAFE@GMAIL.COM with the subject of “Volunteering” … would love to have your help! About the event itself: Join them for an open-air NO FLEAS Market fundraising event behind the Bastion Studios (back parking lot) September 19 8AM-2PM!
You will find a variety of gently used, old, and new goods to check out. Come sip some coffee and walk around in a safe, open market environment (with plenty of sanitizer and wipes). The NO FLEAS Market will open at 8AM sharp. From 1PM – 2PM, they will have a $10 bag sale; you pay $10 for a garbage bag & fill it, they will provide you with the bag.
Pets at the Pub
Erie Humane Society is offering a re-vamped, special Corona Edition of Pets at the Pub (formerly known as Pints for Paws) this year on September 6 from 3-7. The event will be held at the Erie Humane Society, on the 3 acres of green space behind our Pet Wellness Clinic. The ample space will allow attendees to enjoy this event outdoors with plenty of room to comply with CDC guidelines, as we will have two large tents set up, with seating available. Beer will be available for purchase from Erie Ale Works, and wine will be sold by EHS. Food will be available for purchase from Tuxedo Dogs, and Sundae will have vegan dog treats for sale. Take a chance on a themed basket in our basket raffle or try your luck in a 50/50 raffle. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome and encouraged to attend. Tickets are available for purchase at the Erie Humane Society. Cost is $10.00 and includes a free pint glass. Still have questions? Feel free to contact the shelter at 814-835-8331.
Lions Tigers and Beers
On October 3 Small Town Rollers will be performing at Erie Zoo’s Lions, Tigers, & Beers Festival, in Erie, PA!!! Enjoy sampling craft brews while listening to our acoustic grooves! Gates open at 6P and proceeds go to the Erie Zoological Society!
Emma’s Footprints Virtual Memorial Walk
Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walk is going VIRTUAL! While we are certainly disheartened that we will not be able to meet at an event location, we want to offer you a chance to be with your friends and family, taking steps to remember your baby in a social distance atmosphere. Emma’s Memorial Walk offers friends and family grieving pregnancy and infant loss the opportunity to gather and remember the lives of their babies. While their life on this earth was far too short, their memory and impact live on forever. Please join them virtually on Thursday, October 15th – October 18th. Stay tuned for more details! Family Fundraising is back!! What does this mean?! No registration fee! Without a registration fee, they hope you’ll be able to build your team, gather more support than ever, and walk in memory of your baby for free!
Serverie Soiree
Join them for a night out on October 16th from 7-10 to celebrate ServErie and help support future Erie community initiatives. Enjoy the Erie Art Museum after hours, as well as, numerous food tastings from several local restaurants! All this and more while enjoying music from one of Erie’s local talent. You won’t want to miss this event!
Keep checking the blog for information on upcoming charity events in the Erie area! We’re bringing you this information before the events so you can attend them! Hopefully we will be blogging a few of them!
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
We love exploring local parks, so when we found out about Erie County Park Bingo, we gathered up information and wandered some parks so we could let you guys in on the fun!
Park Bingo gives you the opportunity to explore nine different parks in Erie County. These parks include Pleasant Ridge Park, McClelland Park, Eaton Reservation/Bull’s Dam, Lake Erie Community Park, Headwaters Park, 6 Mile Creek Park, Frontier Park, Corry Junction/Greenway Trail, and Asbury Woods at Browns Farm.
Each park you visit of the nine will have a wooden letter tag hanging from a tree near the entrance. All you have to do is take a selfie with each tag and email ALL of them AT ONCE to kcurrier@erieconservation.com by September 30, 2020! If you send them in, you’ll be entered into a raffle of $200 worth of local gift cards! So, let me get this straight, they want us to go have fun at some parks while exercising PLUS give us the opportunity to win gift cards?! Sign me up!
Above are the Park Bingo cards and rules. If you can’t find the letter for some reason, feel free to take a selfie with the park sign pictured on the bingo card. And if you don’t want to take selfie, that’s completely fine; you can use the same item in every photo, or even your dog if you’d like! We chose to use our hand sanitizer; we thought it was fitting for this era we are living in!
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
After spending some time at the Goodell Gardens and Homestead where we wandered through the flowers, paths, and trees, we decided it was time to hit one of the more popular destinations in Erie, Pa. We strategically planned what we thought would be a great time and day, and headed down to Presque Isle State Park. With many activities to do and many different biomes all on the peninsula, this is an interesting area to spend some time wandering.
Location
Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acres peninsula full of sand, woods, trails, and roads. If you go to Peninsula Drive in Erie, then just head north and you will find yourself at the park in no time at all. Because this park is literally on the water, be aware of seasonal weather. It can be more than a few degrees cooler on the peninsula than even a mile or two inland. This is a day-use only park, but there is a lot to pack in during a day.
Property Description:
There are about 9 miles of beaches, a roughly 13-mile loop for those looking to run a half marathon. The pavement is smooth as evidenced by not only cars and motorcycles driving around, but the countless bikes, rollerblades, and longboards showed an excellent place to go. There are sidewalks and paved paths almost everywhere you go, and there are also running and biking trails that cut through the woods throughout the park as well. In addition to the beaches, there are multiple spots to launch a boat, walk on short boardwalks and piers, or sit and watch the water.
Because this is a peninsula, on one side you face the city and can see all of the boats or water activity, as well as the skyline, in the harbor. And on the other side there are miles of beaches to explore where you can fairly easily find yourself in a wide-open space. In an age of social distancing, it may take a few minutes but finding space along the beach is very achievable.
It’s also important to know that this peninsula has a lot of sand. This isn’t just talking about the beach. This is important to note because if you find yourself at Presque Isle during or after a rain storm, there can be pockets of water in no time at all. We strategically tried to go in the morning following a rainstorm with the intent of discovering any beach glass, and we ended up finding potholes that contained as much as a foot of water in them.
Things to do:
There really are many activities to be done at Presque Isle. In addition to soaking up rays on the sand or heading for a swim, there are many people who just want to experience physical activity and a bit of nature. Remembering that Erie only gets a few months of summer sun, it seems like the whole county plus travelers try to pack on the beach. There are also activities like sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, and even a beach just for kites.
Throw in the inland activities and you can find anything from events, grills for cookouts, canoeing, and even big-wheeled water tricycles for rent. Speaking of items for rent, there are multiple locations either at the park or right before it where you can rent canoes and bikes.
In addition to the many people looking for exercise on the paths, there are those who run, jog, swim, and bike off of the main paths. As a word of caution, this beach is well known and gets popular for locals. We strategically tried to visit early, and despite being mid-morning on a Monday, we left slightly before noon and the cars were flooding in. Whether you are trying to run or bike without crowds, or you want to stake out a spot in the sand, going earlier means you have less traffic to fight and more space to take up.
In addition to the fun, this is an exciting place for those who love wildlife and birds in particular. Presque Isle is a national natural landmark, and they claim there are, “a greater number of the state’s endangered, threatened, and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania.”
Who Can Go:
While the specifics will depend on what you are trying to accomplish, this park is for everyone. In addition to the amazing possibilities, the paths, beeches, and different seating locations and sights are open for anyone. There is even a beach with handicap access for those who need additional assistance when walking over the sand. Throw in the fact that there is a popular ice cream and burger shop in Sara’s Restaurant right at the entrance to Presque Isle, and you can quickly see why this beach is always packed for about four months per year.
Final Thoughts:
The reality is there are multiple reasons to head to Presque Isle. There are so many reasons that we will probably be back shortly to try and document other days, temperatures, activities, and crowds. In a time period where social distancing is the norm, people continue to seek out less crowded locations where space is ample. Presque Isle is one of those places, and can offer many activities in a large area, while still being a peaceful location for the whole family.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
We wanted to enjoy some of the sunshine that has been present in Erie, PA the last few weeks, so rather than checking out more trails like we did at the Girard Waterworks Park, we headed to a wide open space. We decided to wander around the Goodell Gardens & Homestead in Edinboro, PA. We not only got sun and a nice breeze, but the sights, paths, flowers, and trees provided for an excellent afternoon walk.
Location
The botanical gardens are located at 221 Waterford Street, also Route 6N in Edinboro, PA 16412. The exact location has a nice long driveway. At the front of the driveway is a park area for guests of a specific event, but if you continue to follow the driveway you will get to a parking lot.
This is a wide-open space for you to catch the breeze, so in times of social distancing or just being able to wander and look at the flowers or trees, you don’t have to worry about having anyone else right “on top of you.”
Property Description:
The property itself is known as Edinboro’s public garden. The entire property is approximately 78 acres on the Goodell family farm, but the walking area is on a much smaller footprint. While there isn’t a specific route or path to take, you will find many locations to view, many paths to walk, and many benches to just sit and relax. Other items include birdhouses, large trees for shade, bees flying amidst the many flowers, and even a giant windchime which actually works and plays in the wind.
This location is also an arboretum, which means many of the trees have labels.
In addition, there are multiple buildings. And, while a few of them appear to be closed due to the current Covid-19 issue, there does appear to space which can hold events, as well as ongoing plans to continue building and renovating the barns.
Things to do:
This specific visit was true to the wandering spirit. It was literally just a time period to walk around and look at all of the different trees, flowers, bushes, and more. The wildlife was also fairly decent in that we saw multiple species of birds. In addition, we saw bees, butterflies, and dragonflies throughout the gardens. This is definitely something teeming with activity.
The admission does appear to be a flat amount of $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, $2 for children, and free to members of the nonprofit as well as Edinboro University students, and children under the age of five. However, there are also group tours available if you make a reservation in advance.
Finally, while the current time period is a difficult one to navigate, it does appear that there are many opportunities available for events to occur, including harvest festival, Mother’s Day brunch, the Edinboro Art & Music Festival, and more.
In addition, the site is able to be rented to private events, weddings, parties, receptions, and reunions. This rental can include the grounds, event barn, cabin, and up to 300 chairs and tables. (However, if you are interested act fast as they are already booked through June of 2021 as of the writing/recording of this!)
This is also an excellent location to take photographs at, whether you are looking for family portraits, engagement or announcement photos, senior pictures, or more.
Who Can Go:
Depending on what you want to do, this is a completely suitable event for the whole family. Anyone who wants to walk through nature, do some bird or insect watching, check out the trees and flowers, or just sit on a bench for a while in peace; this is the place.
Final Thoughts:
Finding a historic site such as the Goodell Gardens is a pleasant surprise. And to have it in your own backyard is a benefit as well. Whether you are looking for a quick getaway into nature, or specifically trying to walk around in peace, this is an excellent location to do so.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
After spending a few different days picking fruit, including raspberry picking at Mason Farms, we got back into the parks and trails. We visited Waterworks Park, also known as the old Girard Borough Park, in Girard, PA. This is definitely a longer trail and one with large amounts of nature, multiple elements, and not a lot of competition for space when it comes to this social distancing season.
Location & Property Description:
The official park is located off of Lake Street, shortly before the high school if you are headed north, in Girard. Once you have turned to head down into the park, there are multiple access points and things to do. You first come to a pond at the bottom of the hill. This pond is suitable for fishing and includes a fishing pier, and while there you may be able to catch some wildlife here. There is also a small shelter in case of rain or wind.
Advertisements
When you get to the fork, you can either head left to go down past the sewage treatment plant to find access to Elk Creek and a trail, or you can head right. By heading right, you can see one of the most popular sled riding hills in the area. This spot is always crowded in the winter. Continue driving down the path and you arrive at a one-way loop which circles around the multiple baseball/softball fields, which are popular during normal summer seasons.
If you follow the loop, you will also arrive at another access point to Elk Creek where you can fish, swim, or just take a walk along the water. There is also a picnic shelter which can be rented out by reservation, and there are bathrooms available as well.
Things to do:
Girard Waterworks park is certainly quiet. There are many acres and not a lot of crowds. It’s also important to know that they are pet friendly. You can fish (with the proper license), and in the winter individuals have been known to skate on the pond as well. (Please skate at your own risk, and verify whether the ice is completely frozen!)
In addition to the sights and activities you can do right within the park itself, it’s important to know that the park itself is the start of the Elk Creek trail. This trail follows along Elk Creek for about 1.75 miles, and makes for a peaceful jogging trail or biking trail out in nature. The other end of the trail comes out very close to Elk Valley Elementary school, where long distance runners can simply take lake street to jog back and make it a longer loop, or you can turn around and head back for a 3.5-mile run.
Advertisements
While the exact amount of wildlife you will see is never predictable, there are many different birds, fish, and animals in this park. On the trails you can see multiple tracks, and there is ample evidence of nature. We saw a lot of very small frogs jumping around the stones by the water; make sure you watch your step! These guys are super tiny and easy to miss; please be careful not to hurt them!
Who Can Go:
There are some targeted activities in this park, so it really depends on what you want to do. In normal seasons, you can find organized activities like softball games being scheduled. In addition, there are spots to fish and swim. Jogging, biking, or running are also the case. And, while it makes the most sense to drive to the park, some individuals in the area will walk down as well from lake street. Keep in mind that the front portion of the park is paved and easy to navigate, but for the most part you are on a dirt and stone road. This can be great for joggers and mountain bikes, but this is not the long slow park for anyone with trouble walking or who may need assistance. Even by the water you don’t find sandy beaches, but rather many rocks. This is expected at a fishing creek or when you go swimming, but it’s probably best to be aware of this before you go.
Final Thoughts:
As long as you have a purpose to go to the Girard Waterworks park, then this is a great location to go. In addition, the park is so large that there is always space available. Whether you want to wander the dirt-paved roads, the trails, or just sit by the water, it certainly is a great location to explore.
Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!
Wander Erie 