The track at Behrend Fields is located right on the campus of Penn State Behrend, near Erie Hall. Parking is available in the lot used for the baseball and softball fields, just off Station Road. The whole area feels tucked away and peaceful—great for unwinding or letting the kids stretch their legs.
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What’s Good:
This is a classic outdoor rubberized track, in excellent condition and well-maintained. In addition to the track itself, there’s an excellent opportunity for walking on both pavement and dirt paths around the area, making it a great spot to mix up your routine or enjoy a more scenic stroll. While it’s not nestled between the athletic fields, it’s surrounded by trees and open green space that give it a peaceful, natural feel.
Walking or jogging with a stroller
Letting kids run safely in circles
Track workouts if you want to time your laps
There is a port-a-potty available just past the track, and the surrounding Behrend campus has wide sidewalks if you want to extend your walk. It’s also dog-friendly, but remember to clean up after your pup.
There are usually a few college students jogging or teams practicing, but it’s rarely crowded—especially in the mornings and evenings. And because it’s slightly elevated, you get a bit of a view of the hills beyond, especially at sunset.
If you’re looking for a little variety, there’s also a frisbee golf course on the nearby fields. Just be sure to bring your own frisbee—it’s a fun, low-key add-on to a walk or jog.
Can I bring my dog?
While dogs are not permitted on the track itself, they are welcome on the nearby sidewalks and open grassy areas around Behrend Fields. Keep them leashed and clean up after them, and you shouldn’t run into any issues.
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Who it’s Good For:
Families with kids who need a safe open space to burn energy
Fitness walkers and runners looking for a calm, consistent surface
Anyone rehabbing or easing into movement thanks to the soft track and flat layout
Parents with strollers
Final Thoughts:
The track at Behrend Fields is one of those hidden-in-plain-sight places. Whether you’re looking for a quick walk, a way to reset your afternoon, or a place to run in peace, this spot is worth bookmarking.
If you’re nearby on a sunny day, stop by and take a few laps—you might just find a new favorite rhythm.
Looking for more walkable places in Erie? Check out our full list of family-friendly parks, trails, and low-stress local strolls on wandererie.com. And check us out on tiktok!
We want to start by saying we feel an urgency to bring this event at Asbury Woods in Erie, PA to everyone’s attention, as this is only a 3 day event. If you’re just finding out about it as we post it, you’ve already missed out on one day! So let us highlight one of Asbury Woods Fall events, the Scary Creature Feature!
Location:
The Asbury Woods Scary Creature Feature is located at 4105 Asbury Road, Erie, PA 16506, where the nature center is.
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Property Description:
The majority of this event is held in the woods, so the beauty of Asbury Woods will be surrounding you. You’ll want to keep that in mind, as you’ll be outdoors! Dress accordingly! You will also see the inside of the nature center, which includes a really great display of live animals for you to see.
As we walked from creature to creature, pumpkins lit our path! Each of the pumpkins were carved differently, and our littles loved pointing out the different designs and animals on the pumpkins! You are walking through the woods for most of this, meaning that you will be walking on a dirt path for roughly three quarters of the time that you are there. There are roots sticking up and bumps in the path, but we did have our stroller and found it tolerable to stroll through the event. It took some teamwork at times to get over bumps and down some curbs along the way. And we do have to say, walking through the woods at night with the pumpkins lit up made fore such an awesome atmosphere!
What to Do:
First, you can park your car in one of the numerous spots available to you in the parking lot. After parking, walk towards the nature center. Check in with one of the people waiting at the admission kiosk. You’ll give them your name, and they will verify your time slot. Then, you’ll head back to the area with benches, right in front of the entrance to the nature center. If you’d like, take some pictures of your kids in the Fall decor while you wait!
Once it is your allotted time slot, you’ll follow your guide through the tour. It starts with story time, then continues on to a tour through the woods meeting different creatures that come out at night. Although these creatures are not actual animals, they did a great job keeping the kids engaged and teaching them about the individual animals they were representing. We learned many different facts about several animals including owls, salamanders, spiders, bats, moths, and even skunks! Some asked questions about animals we’ve already seen, or hinted about animals up ahead, making this a very cohesive and interactive experience.
After your tour of creatures through the woods, you will enter a pavilion with a roaring fire place. Inside, you can make a bag full of goodies for woodland creatures at your house, filled with things such as seeds and corn. Our littles were super excited to have the ability to put out food for the chipmunks and birds at home! On the other side of the pavilion is a mad scientist, performing experiments every 15 minutes for the kids to watch. There’s also a huge wall of string lights, which makes for a fun background if you want to grab a picture or two of the kids!
Following our fun in the pavilion, we enjoyed some time in the nature center, looking at all of the real animals inside. We saw a bunny, turtles, frogs, and more!
We also went in the gift shop, which is open during the event. You’ll find a ton of natural products and animal trinkets and plushies, including birds that make real bird sounds when you press their bellies. They also have beautiful hand crafted jewelry, finger puppets, bath cakes, bags, and children’s books, to name a few more of the many items available. We recommend stopping in and looking around! Maybe you’ll find something great and be able to support Asbury Woods in the process!
The whole event was very interactive and entertaining for the kids! They had so much fun! They loved learning about each creature, and were eager to answer questions when asked by the creatures!
Who Can Go:
Bring the whole family to this event! And feel free to bring your kiddos in their Halloween costumes! We saw so many adorable littles walking around in their Halloween costumes, and even some adults!
Final Thoughts:
We had such a great time at this event that brings fun for the whole family! We recommend going, as this is not only super fun for the kids but educational as well!
In 2021, Asbury Woods in Erie, PA is offering the Scary Creature Feature on October 7, 8, and 9 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., with the last time slot at at 7:50. There are several times slots available to attend, which occur every 10 minutes. Fair warning, a lot of them are filled and others are filling rapidly! The price to attend is $9 per person, and kids 2 and under are free. If you’re looking for your chance to go, click here to be directed to their scheduling site! Don’t hesitate! And grab your spot now! Please remember to register before you go; this is not an event where you can just show up! And if you’re reading this too late, we highly recommend putting this in your calendar for next year!
[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Asbury Woods in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around Erie as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA area can be hard.]
After taking the time to wander Brown’s Farm, we needed a simpler plan. It’s one thing to enjoy the summer heat, the sun, and longer trails, but when fall starts to creep around the corner it is important to enjoy the summer before they’re gone for the year. That’s why we headed down to Lake Erie Community Park.
Location
Lake Erie Community Park is a small park in Lake City, PA. It is located at 10192 West Lake Road in Lake City, PA 16423. It has recently been renovated. It used to be full of campers and seasonal living, but those have been removed which makes this an ideal location to enjoy peace and quiet, events, using the baseball field, or just taking a walk. It is also conveniently located right on the water, so many people enjoy ice cream from the also conveniently located Dairy Oasis right at the entrance to the park.
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Property Description:
The property itself is a simple one, but has ample space. In addition to the already mentioned items, there are benches facing the water with a beautiful view from the cliffs to the lake down below. There is also a pavilion for events. Technically there are 4 pavilions, each with grills, electrical outlets, water, etc. – but only one pavilion has walls and can hold more than 180 people.
Things to do:
In addition to the baseball field, there is a lot of walking space. This location technically has a west side to the park, with some trails and the ability to actually get down to the water. All in all, the park is 125 acres. Dogs are welcome (but as always, you are responsible for them and any cleanup you may need to do). Besides hosting parties, weddings, graduations, and more, there is also a playground for children to play. This is also another popular destination for photography, as the views of the trees and nature, combined with the cliffs and the lake, make for a photogenic location.
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Who Can Go:
If you are looking for an opportunity to get out to an area of privacy, this is a location for anyone. It’s a simple park, but the views and opportunity to find a quiet location are enough to bring anyone down to relax.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you grab ice cream, have an event to celebrate, want to play on the baseball field or at the playground, or just want to see nature, this is a simple location. In times where social distancing is the norm, this is a great location because it’s not often overcrowded, and it tends to be a little more hidden compared to some of the parks and playgrounds where children can usually go. But, whatever your purpose, this is definitely a spot to check out and bring your friends or family, whether younger or older.
Interested in finding out about more parks in Erie? Click here.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Walnut Creek Marina was a way to get to a beach, enjoy the sun, and find a place a little less crowded while beating the heat. While the crowds aren’t too large, we did see a lot of people at the ever-popular Frontier Park. And while there were a lot of people enjoying different activities, there certainly is a lot to do in the downtown location.
Location:
Frontier Park is located on West 8th street, West 6th Street, and along the Bayfront Parkway. There are multiple entrance points as it takes up a handful of city blocks, but there is no “true” entrance. That being said, there is a lot to do, and this location provides a great bit of nature right in the heart of the downtown area. There are fields, paths, and a creek that runs through the middle of the property. There is also an amphitheater with seating, tennis courts, playgrounds, and the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier. Throw in the fact that long stretches of bike paths go around the park as well as extend deeper into the city, and you can quickly see the appeal of this park.
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In addition to everything that the park itself has to offer, it has great proximity to many other adjacent locations. Romolo Chocolates, Donatos Pizza, and PopLuck Gourmet Popcorn are all directly across the street from the park to the south, and more locations are in the area as well if you are looking for a snack while you are at the park.
Property Description:
Frontier park provides access to walking, jogging, biking, sled riding, and more. While we were there, some student athletes were working out and playing catch. Many people were playing tennis on the tennis courts. A few dozen were walking or jogging the trails, and yet others were just sitting out enjoying the view. While there are different routes to take within and around the park, the main path around the perimeter of the park is very close to a one-mile loop (out specific route mapped out .92 miles).
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At the present time, the LEAF building is closed due to COVID 19. Under normal circumstances, however, you are able to rent the building. The building itself has capacity for 80 people with 10 tables and 80 chairs. It also has a large sink, white boards and projector screens, and an outdoor patio with restrooms and ample parking space.
Things to do:
The park is open to the public, so it has ample space for large gatherings, activities such as frisbee, throwing a ball around and playing catch, or even participating in the various courses which are offered in the area, including yoga.
Many people in the general area use the space to avoid seeing the cars and hearing the noise from the city atmosphere. You can quickly forget you are right in the middle of the downtown area, and within a handful of steps you are not only surrounded by considerable wildlife, but you have a tremendous number of birds to listen to as well.
There are also a handful of popular spaces along the creek to watch the water, including as you cross over the couple of bridges.
This is another great location to bring a dog, but remember that they must be on a leash and you are responsible for your pet.
Who Can Go:
This is a great location for the general area. If you live close by, want to take a quick lunch break while you are working downtown, need to get in a jog or short run, or you even want to just relax and watch the birds and listen to the water, this is a great location. It is yet another place we visited to specifically get out of the house, log some steps, and maintain social distancing, and this location had many people present, but made it easy to keep distance from others.
Final Thoughts:
It all depends on what you are looking for. This park is right in the downtown and allows for an excellent walking or jogging trail, as well as a tremendous amount of space to do many different activities. While the park isn’t at it’s “full capabilities” due to the current pandemic, there are many more activities that normally occur within the boundaries of this park, such as the playground, classes, use of the amphitheater, and more.
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If you treat this location as another bucket-list item to travel to in Erie and just want to check it out once, or you come back time and again for the scenery, this is a tremendous park. It may be a somewhat hidden park as it is nestled right in the middle of the city, but with so many reasons to check out Frontier park and pass the time while being there, we fully recommend you find a reason to wander about Frontier Park soon!
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After heading to Wintergreen Gorge and wandering the trails, it was time to find a new way to beat the heat. The past week has seen hot temperatures for Erie, with the weather continuing to rise into the high 70’s, and into the mid 80’s as far as the thermometer is concerned. That being said, we wanted to go to a place less crowded during this pandemic in order to maintain social distancing with the little ones. We decided on the Walnut Creek Marina in Fairview, PA.
Location:
Walnut Creek marina is easily accessible at 241 Manchester Rd, Fairview, PA 16415. The easiest wat to get there is off of state route, about 2 miles east of state route 98 in Fairview, PA. It is an actual marina with 72 slips. It is a popular area for boating, fishing, and jet skis. And while there are other services available for boating enthusiasts, boating was not our purpose. For more information on this, you can always call the facility at 814-833-2464.
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The reason we went to the marina was simply because there is beach access. While most in the area know of Presque Isle when they think of beaches, this one is far less crowded. Despite being smaller, there is still water access to do many of the things you would like on the beach, but you can do it without bumping into others every few feet.
Property Description:
The property itself has more than just access to the water. There are sandy areas, as well as areas with more stones and rocks, and even grass located throughout the property. All provide wonderful views of the lake. Be cautioned that the wind does provide a cool breeze, and it can be cooler down at the marina and by the water than it is in the rest of town. There is also ample parking, and access to Walnut Creek itself if you are looking to follow the creek south for whatever reason.
Boats in the Marina
Things to do:
Besides the actual boating or getting on the water, there is plenty to do. During our visit we counted multiple people just taking a walk. Suntanning is almost the default at a beach, and some individuals were just in lawn chairs enjoying the view while children built sand castles and splashed in the water. In addition, there were multiple people fishing off of the small-rock-piers, and heading up into Walnut Creek to fish.
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We also saw multiple dogs on the property and even in the sand and water. Due to the higher winds there were some kites in the air as well. Also, during our wandering, we found a few pieces of beach glass. However, we would recommend combing the beach first thing in the morning and after a night where there are storms, as that tends to uproot and move around any of the rocks to uncover treasure.
Who Can Go:
While the location is small, this is certainly a less popular destination. We were out in the middle of the day when the sun was high and the heat was strong. We won’t actually count all of the people there for boating because they really aren’t part of the crowd on the beach access if they were getting out on the water. That would mean we probably only saw a dozen or two other people in total. Certainly reasonable compared to the more popular and more crowded beaches in Erie, PA.
One of the many beautiful views you’ll find at this location
Final Thoughts:
This location really is a simple one, but sometimes that’s all you need. Taking your children (or just yourself) to walk the water line has every benefit here as it does at any other beach. The size may be smaller, but that means less crowds and less noise pollution. For that reason, it made sense to see most of the individuals there just sitting in lawn chairs or on beach towels. We also saw a few different clusters of individuals. It looked like there were more than a few people on dates, holding hands while walking and talking. We also saw a few small families who were trying to let their children play. And we even saw some people who brought their lunch or ice cream down with them and were eating right up on the water as well.
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This location is at worst something to do and explore which will get you out of the house and give yourself, your kids, or whoever something to do for at least a few hours. At best, this is a gem of a location that offers many of the same luxuries and amenities as other popular beaches in the area, but with almost no crowd whatsoever. Plus, while the tourists come from miles away just to visit Presque Isle and the surrounding areas, this location seems almost empty by comparison. As long as social distancing guidelines are in place, and even if you just enjoy less crowds and more peace, the Walnut Creek Marina is definitely worth the trip to check out.
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Wander Erie 