The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry has announced October events that spotlight natural beauty and provide free family fun and education. Guided walks to the Eternal Flame will be offered at Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park in October, along with a Full Moon walk and a Halloween walk, while a Full Moon walk is also scheduled for November at Sprague Brook Park.

“Our Park system offers 10,000 acres to enjoy and the autumn months are an ideal time to get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature,” said Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Daniel J. Rizzo. “These guided walks will provide an opportunity to see the unique Eternal Flame and also to enjoy the Parks by the light of the full moon, weather permitting, so both are fun and free ways to observe our natural environment in new ways.”

Erie County Park Rangers will host guided walks to the Eternal Flame on Saturday October 15 and Saturday October 22. The walks start at 1 pm and will last approximately 1.5 hours. Walkers can meet the Rangers at the trail head in the Eternal Flame parking lot on Rte. 277 prior to the walk. Please dress for the weather, pack water if necessary and wear sturdy, closed toe shoes.

Rangers will also host guided Full Moon Walks on Sunday, October 16 (meet at the Chestnut Ridge Casino at 5:30 pm), and Monday, November 14 (meet at Sprague Brook warming hut at 3:30 pm). The walks are expected to last about an hour. Please dress for the weather, pack water if necessary and wear sturdy, closed toe shoes.

A Halloween Walk is scheduled for Saturday October 29 at Chestnut Ridge Park at 1 PM. Join an Erie County Park Ranger as they lead a leisurely, family friendly hike along the Chestnut Ridge Cross-country Ski Trail. Along the hike we will share Halloween ghost stories and collect some of nature’s treats along the trail for use in making an evil spirit warding nature craft at the warming hut. Halloween costumes are welcome as long as they don’t pose a hazard to hiking safely. Please bring along a full water bottle, weather appropriate clothing and sturdy closed-toed footwear. Walkers will meet at the “Warming Hut” at the head of the Cross-country Ski Trail, on the main road past the Casino.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry visit http://www2.erie.gov/parks/