FEEL FALL WITH NEW YORK STATE PARKS

FEEL FALL WITH NEW YORK STATE PARKS

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce its fall schedule of events. Events ranging from leaf-peeping talks to wool spinning classes to a history of dogs, the schedule includes a wide array of events that the entire family will enjoy.

New this year are fiber workshops being held at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora. This unique series of classes will teach traditional methods of weaving, spinning, and other programs that are designed to teach about the use of various fibers from Knox Farm that are used in making clothing and other useful materials and fun crafts. Workshops are open to all ages and abilities!

Also new this year is the Knox Farm nature programs, sponsored by the Niagara Region Park Interpretive Programs Office. These programs include education programs for school groups and scouts working on badges and activities. Call (716) 826-8895 for more information and a program packet.

The line up of fall events throughout the Niagara Region is as follows:

Friday, October 5

7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Friday Evening Goat Island Hike

Niagara Falls State Park

Come visit the oldest state park in the United States, while viewing the autumn colors. Be awed by all of the beauty this park has to offer. Take a journey through time and really begin to understand the local and geological history behind it all. For information and registration call (716) 745-7848.

October 5, Friday

7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Native American Literature Walk

Knox Farm State Park

Join us on this picturesque walk while gaining a different perspective on respect and reverence for the natural world through the writings and teachings of Native Americans. For information and registration call (716) 826-8895.

Saturday, October 6

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Felting Wool-A Beginners Lesson

Knox Farm State Park

Sheep wool is a fiber that can be used to make yarn and other forms of cloth. This unique simple craft is a fun way to learn about wool felt and its uses. For information and registration call (716) 826-8895.

Saturday, October 6

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Joseph Davis State Park Exploration

Joseph Davis State Park

Visit this park and its many habitats. State park naturalists will be stationed at various locations. Learn about the river, the ponds and grasslands. Visit the Spirit of Victory Statue. Receive a map and take your time exploring this “gem” of a state park. For information and registration call (716) 745-7848.

-more-

-page 2-

Friday, October 12

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Birds of a Feather

Joseph Davis State Park

We will explore this park’s diversity of habitats in search of the many bird species found migrating as well as residing here in the Niagara Region. For information and registration call (716)745-7848.

Friday, October 12

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Leaf Changing Event

Knox Farm State Park

Enjoy the color explosion of the Fall season and learn how trees work and why they are such show-offs! For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Saturday, October 13

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Old World Wool Spinning

Knox Farm State Park

Using one of the first methods of spinning wool into yarn, this simple lesson is taught using traditional “drop spindles.” For ages 8 and over. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Saturday and Sunday, October 13 & 14

9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Doors Open Niagara

Niagara Falls State Park

Tour the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center located on the brink of the Niagara River Gorge. Join us for an interpretive hike to the base of the ruins of the Schoellkopf Power Station. Hikes will start at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For information on Doors Open Niagara call the Discovery Center

(716)278-1070 or visit

www.doorsopenniagara.com. To register for a hike call (716) 745-7848.

Friday, October 19, 2007

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

K-9’s through Time

Knox Farm State Park

Join us at the farm to learn about the origin of “man’s best friend”-the dog. This program will cover 10,000 years of companionship. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Saturday, October 20

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Lakeshore Greenbelt Tour

Evangola State Park

Evangola is part of the Lake Erie Greenbelt that preserves the environment and connects people to nature. Bring your car for a fun drive and stop tour including Evangola and some nearby locations like; Bennett Beach, Wendt Beach, the Ayer-Stevenson Preserve and Sturgeon Point Park. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Saturday, October 20

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Lakeshore Owl Prowl

Fort Niagara State Park

What is that screech along the beach? Who’s tooting with that hooting? Come find out on a prowl to learn about the mysterious owls found here in Western New York. For information and registration call (716) 745-7848.

Friday, October 26

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Full Moon Adventure

Fort Niagara State Park

Celebrate the arrival of Halloween with an indoor presentation on nocturnal creatures, the moon, constellations and much more. Then trek along the wooded shores of Lake Ontario and maybe hear or see an owl or two.

For information and registration call (716)745-7848.

Friday, October 27

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Fear No Evil

Knox Farm State Park

Join us in this hands-on class for a better understanding for all of those living creatures that frighten us and learn to overcome our fears through education and understanding. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Sunday, October 28

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Soft-Sculpture Pumpkin

Knox Farm State Park

Create a felt pumpkin sculpture. Natural materials and wool felt will be used to create this fun seasonal decoration for your home. $5.00 material fee for one pumpkin. Some sewing ability useful. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

-more-

-page 3-

Saturday, November 3

1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Dorset Buttons

Knox Farm State Park

Create these fun decorative “Buttons” made from wool and other fibers to embellish your sweaters, jackets or hand bags. For ages 8 and up. $5.00 material fee for each person. Some sewing ability useful. For information and registration call (716) 826-8895.

Saturday, November 3

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Orienteering and Compass Navigation

Beaver Island State Park

Join us on an adventure searching for the hidden clues on the orienteering trail. Learn how to use a compass and solve the “history mystery.” The first person or group to solve the mystery will get a special prize. Compasses are provided on a first come basis. All ages and experience welcome! For information and registration call(716) 826-8895.

Saturday, November 3

10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Gorge at Low Water Hike

Whirlpool State Park

Enjoy the Niagara Gorge after the volume of water in the Niagara River is reduced by 25%. Backpack your lunch for this scenic gorge hike which will take us past the Whirlpool and up to the former Great Gorge Route stopover. Participants must be 8 years and older. For information and registration call (716)745-7848.

Friday, November 9

7:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Coyotes-The Real Story

Knox Farm State Park

Sift through all the hear-say and get to the truth about the infamous coyote with guest speaker, Elise Able “The Fox Lady” of Foxwood Rehabilitation Center. For information and registration call

(716)826-8895.

Saturday, November 10

10:00a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Gorge at Low Water Hike

Whirlpool State Park

If you missed last week’s hike, don’t feel left out. Same information as NOV 3, 2007.

Saturday, November 10

10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Make a “Knox Farm Frizzle Doll”

Knox Farm State Park

Make a mini cloth doll using products from nature and the farm. Decorate this little doll friend for the seasons and enjoy this keepsake for years to come. For ages 8 and up. Some sewing ability useful. $10.00 material fee for each doll. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Sunday, November 11

9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.

Wilderness Survival Skills

Woodlawn Beach State Park

What should “survivor man” do? Learn about ways in which you can survive in an emergency while hiking or camping in the wild. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Friday, November 16

7:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Night Eyes!

Joseph Davis State Park

Join us for a nocturnal walk and discover your night vision. We will find out why our eyes play tricks on us and why some animals see better than us. No flashlights needed! For information and registration call (716) 826-8895.

Friday, November 16

7:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.

“A Garden Within”

Knox Farm State Park

Start thinking about next spring and get a start on your seeds. This talk will focus on all the indoor garden techniques using artificial lighting and starting seeds. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

-more-

-page 4-

Saturday, November 17

10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Felted Jewelry

Knox Farm State Park

Make a bracelet from sheep wool that is

felted and dyed, ready for your creativity!

$5.00 material fee per person. For ages 8

and up. For information and registration,

call (716)826-8895.

Sunday, November 18

10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Gorge at Low Water Hike

Whirlpool State Park

As long as weather permits, we are offering one more adventure hike to view the Whirlpool and rapids up close. Participants must be 8 years and older. For information and registration call (716) 745-7848.

Friday, November 23

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Gobble Walk

Woodlawn Beach State Park

Burn off the holiday meal with a fast-paced hike along the boardwalk, beach, dunes and nature trails. For information and registration call (716)826-8895.

Friday, November 30

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Knox Barn History

Knox Farm State Park

Barns are an American original. Learn

about their history and unique construction

at the Knox Farm barns. For information

and registration call (716)826-8895.

-30-