Allegany State Park Events for Winter 2008

Nature programming resumed the day after Christmas, ending a six-week break. Park naturalists Randy Abbott and Grace Christy will conduct nature walks on Friday nights and Saturdays throughout the winter. Both indoor and outdoor activities are planned. Some favorites from past years include the Decorate a Tree for Wildlife workshop, Tour of a Beaver Colony, and Snowshoe Instruction which includes a general nature walk. Animal Tracks & Signs has been replaced by Randy’s Stories in the Snow, featuring detection of animals by use of track plate boxes.  Detailed schedules will be posted on this blog weekly.

Several winter special events will take place at the park in addition to the nature programs.  The annual Winter Funfest, a snowmobiling event, is scheduled for Saturday, February 2, 2008.  Events will include a vintage snowmobile show and trail ride.  Pre-registration for the show and trail ride is necessary prior to January 29, 2008.  Contact Jim Toner at (716) 354-9101 ext. 243 for more information.  Participants must provide their own snowmobiles. Snowmobiles must be registered in New York State, and insured, to operate in the park. Operators under 18 years of age are required to have a snowmobile safety certificate. Helmets are required for all riding.

The Canadian-American Sledders will hold the Annual Trappers Special sled dog races on February 9 and 10, 2008.  Race classes have been announced as follows:

       Sprint                                                        Mid- Distance

8 dog (8 miles)                                    8 dog (34-38 miles each day)

6 dog (6 miles)                                    6 dog ( 28 miles each day)                             

4 dog (4 miles)                                    6 dog recreational (15-18 miles)

1-2 dog ski-jour (1 mile)

2 dog junior (?)

3-6 dog race (4 miles)

Additional details will be forthcoming on the Can-Am website www.canadian-americansledders.com.   Camp Turner, in the Quaker Run Area of Allegany State Park will be the starting point for events.

The Art Roscoe cross country ski race is planned for February 17, 2008 with February 24^th as the rain date. Courses will include a 6 K course for beginners, a 16 K course, and a “blockbuster” 22 K course.The race will be classic style on groomed double-set track on trails at the Art Roscoe Cross Country Ski Area. Information and registration materials are available at www.heartrateup.com.

Maple sugaring will begin at Camp Allegany with public programs on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2, and Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Unlike most of the programs offered at the park, this one requires a pre-registration fee of $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for 4 – 10 year olds. (Children 3 and under, free of charge.) The fee covers a lunch of pancakes and sausages with real maple syrup, produced at camp, as well as the interpretive program.

A walk in the woods will take you to Native American and early settler sugaring camps with costumed interpreters to help your guide explain their methods of producing maple sugar. A 1940s sugar house, with a working model evaporator, will bring you to modern times. Participants are also welcome to visit the displays, children’s craft area, and book nook. For registration information please visit www.natureed-ventures.com. For photos from previous sugaring seasons, visit “Lost in Time” on this blog.

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