I recently learned that July is National Outdoor Month, so I thought I would share with you 7 great places to visit that are right in my backyard. I'm going to start close to my home and branch out. :)
If you're feeling a little under the weather mentally and not quite up to par, getting out into nature can be just the soul vitamin you need.
If you're feeling a little under the weather mentally and not quite up to par, getting out into nature can be just the soul vitamin you need.
Eldridge Park has a rich yet troubled history. In its early years, it was the property of a local doctor, Edwin Eldridge, who had moved here from Binghamton in 1857. He purchased the land, described as "wilderness," and built beautifully sculpted gardens, as well a huge lake, casino, and restaurant on the property. Despite the fact that Eldridge owned the property, it was open to the public. The park was a jewel in Elmira's crown, attracting visitors from neighboring towns. Dr. Eldridge died in 1876, bequeathing the property to the City of Elmira.
In the mid-20th century, when my husband was growing up, it was a mini-amusement park, featuring such rides as a carousel, a roller coaster, and The Whip. My husband fondly recollects many a summer evening spent strolling the midway, riding the rides and taking the boat ride around the lake.
In the 1970s, it was converted from an amusement park into more of a recreational park with a playground and walking trails.
This is my daughter Melanie at the 2011 July 4 celebration in the park. I was at home with her baby brother, who was less than two months old, and who I thought would be scared by the fireworks.
In recent years, the Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society has been trying to restore the park to some of its former glory. Its biggest draw at the moment is the vintage carousel, which travels at very fast speeds, and is the best thing you can do for $1 in Elmira in my opinion. It's so much fun.
(Note to self: take more pictures at Eldridge this summer!)
Last fall, we also had the kids' fall pictures taken there (luckily our babysitter has a photography business and takes pictures of our kits to build her portfolio!)
During the summer, Pulaski Park is the place to be in Elmira. It has the greatest splash pad in town!
Grove Park has the biggest pavilion in the city, as well as a really nice playground and a splash pad. On Mondays, there is also a farmers' market there, which features my favorite farm, Muddy Fingers Farm from Hector. (My friends Matthew and Liz own this farm.) My kids love Grove Park
This park is near and dear to my heart, considering that I'm a daughter of a New York State trooper who was critically injured in the line of duty, ending his Trooper career. Andrew J. Sperr park is named after a local Trooper who was killed horrifically in the line of duty in the nearby village of Big Flats. It has a really nice pavilion, a pond with all kinds of wildlife, a gravel walking path, and a really nice playground with tire chips.
5. Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen is about 20 minutes north of where I live, and the state park there is really one of New York State's hidden gems.
People come from all over to hike the gorge. It also has a beautiful stone pavilion for gatherings, and a public swimming pool with a kiddie pool and a "big pool." Despite the fact that we have splash pads and other pools nearby, this is where we choose to swim. We meet people from all over the US and Canada there, which is good for the kids, because we like them to be exposed to people from diverse backgrounds. Plus, we get rewarded on the way back down with an absolutely stunning view of Seneca Lake.
6. Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca. Granted, I've only been to Robert H. Treman once, and only the southern part of the park. But what I've seen has been absolutely beautiful. It's just off the main road, but once you enter the park, you feel like you've left society and are enclosed in wilderness. Lush greenery, beautiful hiking trails, and waterfalls. In the southern part of the park, where we picnicked with friends, there's a lovely pavilion with a lodge-like feel to it. I've only seen pictures of the main part of the park, but we are really looking forward to going there at some point, maybe this summer. The natural swimming area looks tremendously inviting.
7. Letchworth State Park, Castile. I have never been to Letchworth, but my husband raves about it. He wants to go camp there. I hope next year with our tax refund we can purchase some camping equipment. I would really love to have Succulent Diva's Mama's Rejuvenation Retreat there if I can get my you-know-what together in order to plan it! They have a meeting room and cabins where you can sleep. In addition, hello! You can take HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES OVER THE FALLS. Letchworth is also billed as the "Grand Canyon of the East," so the views are pretty spectacular. I can't imagine what it must be like in the fall.
So, there you have it. Seven great places to spend some time in the great outdoors in my little niche of upstate New York. Get out there and enjoy!
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5. Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen is about 20 minutes north of where I live, and the state park there is really one of New York State's hidden gems.
People come from all over to hike the gorge. It also has a beautiful stone pavilion for gatherings, and a public swimming pool with a kiddie pool and a "big pool." Despite the fact that we have splash pads and other pools nearby, this is where we choose to swim. We meet people from all over the US and Canada there, which is good for the kids, because we like them to be exposed to people from diverse backgrounds. Plus, we get rewarded on the way back down with an absolutely stunning view of Seneca Lake.
6. Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca. Granted, I've only been to Robert H. Treman once, and only the southern part of the park. But what I've seen has been absolutely beautiful. It's just off the main road, but once you enter the park, you feel like you've left society and are enclosed in wilderness. Lush greenery, beautiful hiking trails, and waterfalls. In the southern part of the park, where we picnicked with friends, there's a lovely pavilion with a lodge-like feel to it. I've only seen pictures of the main part of the park, but we are really looking forward to going there at some point, maybe this summer. The natural swimming area looks tremendously inviting.
7. Letchworth State Park, Castile. I have never been to Letchworth, but my husband raves about it. He wants to go camp there. I hope next year with our tax refund we can purchase some camping equipment. I would really love to have Succulent Diva's Mama's Rejuvenation Retreat there if I can get my you-know-what together in order to plan it! They have a meeting room and cabins where you can sleep. In addition, hello! You can take HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES OVER THE FALLS. Letchworth is also billed as the "Grand Canyon of the East," so the views are pretty spectacular. I can't imagine what it must be like in the fall.
So, there you have it. Seven great places to spend some time in the great outdoors in my little niche of upstate New York. Get out there and enjoy!
In need of an extra set of ears to listen to what's going on in your life right now? Succulent Diva Coaching has coaching packages starting as low as $97. Book your FREE discovery call today!
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