The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry is ready and waiting with a full slate of family-friendly winter activities at county parks for residents and families with children or visitors hoping to experience some free seasonal outdoor fun over the holidays. Weather-dependent activities including sledding, ice skating, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing can be enjoyed in various Erie County parks. Parks winter activities are updated daily at the Erie County Parks website and residents are encouraged to check the site before heading out for a day of winter fun.

“There are all types of winter activities waiting to be enjoyed at our Parks, whether visitors want the thrills of sledding or ice skating or just the peaceful pleasure of cross-country skiing or simply walking outside in our beautiful natural spaces,” said Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Daniel J. Rizzo. “Because we don’t control the weather, we can’t be certain that all activities will be happening on any given day in the winter. We update our Parks activities webpage every day so it is a good idea to check it as part of your preparation for winter fun and then head to the Park with family, friends, and holiday visitors who want to enjoy our Erie County winter.”

Ice skating is currently open at Akron Falls and Como Lake Parks, while sledding is currently open at Akron Falls, Chestnut Ridge, Ellicott Creek, and the recently-upgraded hill at Como Lake Park. Ungroomed cross-country skiing is available at Akron Falls, Chestnut Ridge, Como Lake, Ellicott Creek, Elma Meadows, Emery, and Sprague Brook Parks along with Grover Cleveland golf course. Sprague Brook, Grover, and Elma Meadows golf course also offer groomed cross-country skiing. Snowboarding is currently happening at Ellicott Creek, Chestnut Ridge, Akron Falls, and Sprague Brook Parks, with snowshoeing available at all Parks. The toboggan runs at Chestnut Ridge are not yet open as Parks officials await a hard freeze and more snow for the runs.

When the ground is frozen and there is at least six inches of snow, snowmobile trails will also open in select Erie County parks. Information from the Erie County Federation of Snowmobile Clubs can be found on the Parks’ website, with snowmobiling permitted only on approved trails.

For more information:

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