A Walk on the wild side at Art Park

Most everyone knows about the concerts and plays at Art Park,

 but how many know about the nature trails?  There is one along the gorge that opens for the season with a  nature guide this Saturday, you can find out more about times and sign up by calling 716-282-5154.  There are other trails at the park though, and Madison and I took part of the Oak Hill  hike today to get some pictures for you (though she had little patience with me when I wanted to stop for one in focus!) 

interesting tree base, a fairy doorway maybe?

There are some interesting tree and rock formations along the trail and you can see the rock foundation of the old 1834 mansion that was named Oak Hill.

Madison on the trail to the mansion

This mansion, commissioned by Seymour Scovell for his family, was also known in later years as the Starkweather Mansion after Scovell's three Starkweather) granddaughters.  These three women were considered "strange" by the locals and apparently also by one of their visitors, the play-write Joseph O Kesselring.  In April of 1974, The Buffalo Evening News identified the women as the inspiration for Kesselring's play "Arsenic and Old Lace". The family, however, will be quick to inform you there were no bodies buried in their basement!

The trail also passes the old railroad bed, an Indian Burial Mound and is a favorite of bird watchers.  We enjoy our hikes here and know you will as well.