Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Join Douglas Bassett to different spots each week near the HNC as unique wetlands, fens, boggy swamps, springs, streams and old growth trees are pointed out and enjoyed up close as we learn about the hidden life of wetlands & trees in relatively undisturbed ecosystems. Bring a lunch (2-3 hours).

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Considered one of the best arts and crafts show in the U.S. Well over 300 arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors and live entertainment. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Highbanks Recreation Area.

Considered one of the best arts and crafts show in the U.S. Well over 300 arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors and live entertainment. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Highbanks Recreation Area.

Saturday October 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th at 1pm at the Humphrey Nature Center. General nature walks around the grounds of center to view the changing leaves.

Meet at the Parade Grounds parking lot. 2 miles, 3 hours.

Meet at 10am. The Letchworth Branch is 24 miles long and offers many spectacular views of the park from the east side of the Genesee River. Most of this trail will be traversed in five sections averaging less than 4 miles each. Sturdy foot ware, packed lunch and drink are all recommended. Car-pooling is required.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Meet at junction of Oakland and River Roads. 3 miles, 4 hours.

Meet at 10am. The Letchworth Branch is 24 miles long and offers many spectacular views of the park from the east side of the Genesee River. Most of this trail will be traversed in five sections averaging less than 4 miles each. Sturdy foot ware, packed lunch and drink are all recommended. Car-pooling is required.

Saturday October 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th at 1pm at the Humphrey Nature Center. General nature walks around the grounds of center to view the changing leaves.

Over 100 woody plant species grow in Letchworth State Park. Study the myriad of leaf shapes by comparison of laminated samples.

Sundays at 2pm. 2 hours, on site. These programs allow participants a more detailed study of a topic with comparisons of hands-on specimens and/or various audio-visual aids and handouts. These workshops meet in the Humphrey Nature Center. Take Trailside Road near Inspiration Point in Letchworth State Park.

Mondays at 10:30am (1 hour, on site). October 15th & 29th, November 12th & 26th, December 3rd & 17th.

The Knee-High Naturalists program is designed to allow children ages 3-6 (must be accompanied by an adult) to explore the natural world. Themes change with each program, and activities may include storybook reading, crafts, or a short nature walk. Registration appreciated by calling (585) 493-3680.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

4 hours, 3 miles. Meet at Sycamore (#22) Trailhead on River Road just south of Picket Line Road junction. Bring lunch. Will car pool.

Meet at 10am. The Letchworth Branch is 24 miles long and offers many spectacular views of the park from the east side of the Genesee River. Most of this trail will be traversed in five sections averaging less than 4 miles each. Sturdy foot ware, packed lunch and drink are all recommended. Car-pooling is required.

Saturday October 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th at 1pm at the Humphrey Nature Center. General nature walks around the grounds of center to view the changing leaves.

Meet at Bear Hollow (#16) Trailhead on River Road between junction of Ridge and Frost Roads. 6 hours, 5 and a half miles.

Meet at 10am. The Letchworth Branch is 24 miles long and offers many spectacular views of the park from the east side of the Genesee River. Most of this trail will be traversed in five sections averaging less than 4 miles each. Sturdy foot ware, packed lunch and drink are all recommended. Car-pooling is required.

View the moonrise above the Great Bend Gorge. Meet at Archery Field Overlook. Bring a flashlight and a picnic supper.

In a less familiar realm of sights and sounds, experience the changing colors and moods in the blending zone of daylight and nightlight. Bring a flashlight and a picnic supper. Sky gazing will follow evening programs if weather permits.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Saturday October 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th at 1pm at the Humphrey Nature Center. General nature walks around the grounds of center to view the changing leaves.

Autumn provides a bounty of nuts and berries. Study the variety and adaptations that plants have for their survival by the comparison of samples.

Sundays at 2pm. 2 hours, on site. These programs allow participants a more detailed study of a topic with comparisons of hands-on specimens and/or various audio-visual aids and handouts. These workshops meet in the Humphrey Nature Center. Take Trailside Road near Inspiration Point in Letchworth State Park.

Mondays at 10:30am (1 hour, on site). October 15th & 29th, November 12th & 26th, December 3rd & 17th.

The Knee-High Naturalists program is designed to allow children ages 3-6 (must be accompanied by an adult) to explore the natural world. Themes change with each program, and activities may include storybook reading, crafts, or a short nature walk. Registration appreciated by calling (585) 493-3680.

Meet at Mt. Morris Dam entrance off Route 408. 5 hours, 4 and a half miles.

Meet at 10am. The Letchworth Branch is 24 miles long and offers many spectacular views of the park from the east side of the Genesee River. Most of this trail will be traversed in five sections averaging less than 4 miles each. Sturdy foot ware, packed lunch and drink are all recommended. Car-pooling is required.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Look inside the park's fattest tree and have lunch by one of the largest Sassafras trees in New York State. Meet at Mt. Morris entrance gate.

Meet Sundays (3 hours). Car tours and short walks to the Park’s highest, broadest and stoutest known trees. Come see how they deal with the elements of weather, old age, insects and disease. Tour offered in three parts. Bring a lunch.

Meet at Portageville Entrance Gate.

Meet at 10am (3 hours, 1-2 miles). Several areas on the original thousand-acre estate of William Pryor Letchworth support forest trees more than 100 feet in height and 150 years in age. Without their cloak of leaves, we will be able to better appreciate the forms of these older trees. Brush and steep terrain. Bring a lunch. Will car pool.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Meet at Sycamore (#22) Trailhead on River Road just south of Picket Line Road junction. Brushy areas and uneven and steep terrain. Bring a lunch. Special two-mile walk to park's largest tree. Wear long pants for brushy areas and sturdy footwear for uneven and steep terrain.

Meet Sundays (3 hours). Car tours and short walks to the Park’s highest, broadest and stoutest known trees. Come see how they deal with the elements of weather, old age, insects and disease. Tour offered in three parts. Bring a lunch.

Mondays at 10:30am (1 hour, on site). October 15th & 29th, November 12th & 26th, December 3rd & 17th.

The Knee-High Naturalists program is designed to allow children ages 3-6 (must be accompanied by an adult) to explore the natural world. Themes change with each program, and activities may include storybook reading, crafts, or a short nature walk. Registration appreciated by calling (585) 493-3680.

Meet at Museum.

Meet at 10am (3 hours, 1-2 miles). Several areas on the original thousand-acre estate of William Pryor Letchworth support forest trees more than 100 feet in height and 150 years in age. Without their cloak of leaves, we will be able to better appreciate the forms of these older trees. Brush and steep terrain. Bring a lunch. Will car pool.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Meet at Castile Entrance Gate. Car tour and short walks. Bring a lunch.

Visit some of our oldest forest and therefore many of our largest trees and several State Champions. Included in this tour is the site of one of our biggest oaks in the park. The tree fell in the early morning of August 18th, 1993 due to fungi decaying its 150 year old base.

Meet Sundays (3 hours). Car tours and short walks to the Park’s highest, broadest and stoutest known trees. Come see how they deal with the elements of weather, old age, insects and disease. Tour offered in three parts.

Experience the evening calm over the interglacial valley called St. Helena. Meet at lower St. Helena parking lot. Bring a flashlight.

In a less familiar realm of sights and sounds, experience the changing colors and moods in the blending zone of daylight and nightlight. Bring a flashlight and a picnic supper. Sky gazing will follow evening programs if weather permits.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Meet at the Humphrey Nature Center.

Meet at 10am (3 hours, 1-2 miles). Several areas on the original thousand-acre estate of William Pryor Letchworth support forest trees more than 100 feet in height and 150 years in age. Without their cloak of leaves, we will be able to better appreciate the forms of these older trees. Brush and steep terrain. Bring a lunch. Will car pool.

Mondays at 10:30am (1 hour, on site). October 15th & 29th, November 12th & 26th, December 3rd & 17th.

The Knee-High Naturalists program is designed to allow children ages 3-6 (must be accompanied by an adult) to explore the natural world. Themes change with each program, and activities may include storybook reading, crafts, or a short nature walk. Registration appreciated by calling (585) 493-3680.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Dozens of evergreen trees and shrubs inhabit the park. Study their boughs and cones by comparison of samples.

Sundays at 2pm. 2 hours, on site. These programs allow participants a more detailed study of a topic with comparisons of hands-on specimens and/or various audio-visual aids and handouts. These workshops meet in the Humphrey Nature Center. Take Trailside Road near Inspiration Point in Letchworth State Park.

Mondays at 10:30am (1 hour, on site). October 15th & 29th, November 12th & 26th, December 3rd & 17th.

The Knee-High Naturalists program is designed to allow children ages 3-6 (must be accompanied by an adult) to explore the natural world. Themes change with each program, and activities may include storybook reading, crafts, or a short nature walk. Registration appreciated by calling (585) 493-3680.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Saturdays at 1pm, 1 and a half hours, 1-2 miles. General nature hikes on trails that leave from the center.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Saturdays at 1pm, 1 and a half hours, 1-2 miles. General nature hikes on trails that leave from the center.

Mondays at 10:30am (1 hour, on site). October 15th & 29th, November 12th & 26th, December 3rd & 17th.

The Knee-High Naturalists program is designed to allow children ages 3-6 (must be accompanied by an adult) to explore the natural world. Themes change with each program, and activities may include storybook reading, crafts, or a short nature walk. Registration appreciated by calling (585) 493-3680.

View the moonrise over Pine Pond. Meet at Trailside Lodge. Bring a flashlight and picnic supper.

In a less familiar realm of sights and sounds, experience the changing colors and moods in the blending zone of daylight and nightlight. Bring a flashlight and a picnic supper. Sky gazing will follow evening programs if weather permits.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

 See the sunset over the Mt. Morris Canyon and welcome the beginning of longer days. Meet at River Road junction on Route 408 out of Mt. Morris toward Nunda. Bring a flashlight and a picnic supper.

In a less familiar realm of sights and sounds, experience the changing colors and moods in the blending zone of daylight and nightlight. Bring a flashlight and a picnic supper. Sky gazing will follow evening programs if weather permits.

Saturdays at 1pm, 1 and a half hours, 1-2 miles. General nature hikes on trails that leave from the center.

11am (2-3 hours, on site or nearby) on a dozen Fridays. October, November, December (except, Elijah Kruger on October 5th and 26th).

Come share some of Douglas’s 45+ years of experiences at Letchworth State Park. We will explore the Humphrey Nature Center, it’s resources and its environs on any nature subject of interest. All ages and abilities are welcome. Each program will be different based on the interests expressed by the participants. Some possibilities include: rocks, water, soil, sky fungi (including lichens and slime molds), plants (moss, ferns, flowers, vines, shrubs, trees) and animals (invertebrates like insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bring a lunch, your curiosity of nature and show and tell items.

Saturdays at 1pm, 1 and a half hours, 1-2 miles. General nature hikes on trails that leave from the center.

Visit with various live animals throughout the day. Hear interpretation about the animals and visit an array of high quality vendors specializing in nature based crafts. In collaboration with the WILDLIFE EDUCATORS COALITION. 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at Trailside Lodge area and The Humphrey Nature Center.