One Of The
Lockport Parks Pages
A Pictorial Service Of
The Lockport Home Page:
www.Lockport-NY.com
One of the first sights encountered on the trail is the small creek running through the property and, where there is a drop-off in the topography, a little waterfalls results. It is hoped that Scouts and other volunteers can work to enhance the waterfalls area and perhaps add a trail along much more of the creek bed. Water flow varies considerably here. The photo below shows flow during late spring, the one following, during late winter. On June 30th, after a dry spell, the water had almost stopped flowing. The feed for this creek appears to go all the way south through the Niagara Escarpment to Mt. Olive. The little creek appears to run underground at points, for example, when it appears to pass under the Erie Barge Canal. Eventually it joins the East Branch of the Eighteen Mile Creek and ultimately waters here flow north to Lake Ontario.
"If there is but little water in the stream, it is the
fault, not of the channel, but of the source."
...In a letter from Saint Jerome
The waterfall is about four feet
high and is one of the sharper drops
in the topography that varies over
nearly a 100-foot range on the
property.
The location is easily found from signs and maps available once you get on
site.It is near the eastern border of
the property.
If you appreciate Nature And History
You'll Enjoy A Visit To:
The Lockport Cyber Museum
Of Rocks, Minerals, & Fossils
The
nature preserve contains a variety of vegetation including
the giant (more than 6-feet wide) oak tree pictured, estimated to
go back to the 18th century!
There are white, red, and pin oak trees on the property. Also
some black walnut and shag bark hickory is reported here. Of
course some thick scrub brush, the poison ivy previously
mentioned, and enough other greenery to delight even the most
experienced New York State naturalist.
Creatures include deer, muskrats, raccoons, orange newt
(salamander), toads, snakes, fox and a variety of birds. Dominant
in summer are mosquitoes and other flying pests (you'll find
insect repellant does keep them at bay).
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
---"Trees" Joyce Kilmer
One positive factor in hiking along these nature trails during the summer is that there's plenty of shade. Best to pick a day when the humidity is not to high. You'll find this wilderness refuge a cooling experience. In the frame below, Gallagher (left) shows Buckholtz the old stone fence. Nobody seems to know who built it or how many years it goes back. But Gallagher says it pre-dates his family's use of the land and probably even before it was part of The Lynch Farm in the early 20th Century. The stonework can be seen along the southwestern border of the property; it's actually over on private property which adjoins the town land.
As this public nature trail area develops we hope to be bringing you additional updates and information! As we write, there is no sign at the entry point (one is planned) but from the directions we've given, you'll have no trouble locating the entry road off Slayton Settlement Road. To volunteer your services, please call the Lockport Town Hall, 439-9520 or contact Dick Gallagher.
You may also enjoy viewing:
Newlyweds Near
Nature---In Lockport, In June