Akron Falls Park

Location:

Parkview Drive

Akron, NY 14001

(716) 858-8355

History:

The earliest inhabitants of the Akron Park Area were three major groups of Indians: the Eries, Neutral-Wenros, and the Hurons. These cultures lasted until approximately 1650, when the Iroquois Nation absorbed the tribes. The area immediately adjacent to and including the village of Akron belonged to that segment of the Iroquois Indians known as the "Seneca". The Seneca Indians remained the strongest and most prominent tribe at the time.

In 1798, the Holland Land Company transformed the Great Central Trail (the Iroquois trail which passed from Albany through Akron) into a rutted wagon road for ambitious pioneers. This road was called the "Buffalo Road" and it became the first wagon trail in Erie County. (The Akron News, 23 June 1966).

The Civil Works Administration, which was funded by the PWA, initiated the development of Akron Falls. They hired 90 men to develop the park and each received a minimum of $15.00 per week. Later that same year the dam and artificial lake was constructed from bond funds. (The Akron News, December 1933).

Erie County Parks acquired Akron Falls Parks System in 1947. The county purchased additional acreage to provide for a skating rink and picnic space. This further lead to the construction of footbridges, stone fireplaces and tables. (The Akron News, June 1966).

In addition to it's cultural history and charms, the Akron Falls park is also the setting of a beautiful, yet tragic love story.

Park Features:

When you take a ride to Akron Falls, you'll take notice of the lush moss, ferns, and dense forest that surround the cliffs. Here you can breathe the mystical breeze as the water cascades over the falls especially in the fall season. Down stream along the lake, you can spot many types of birds that have made the park their home.

Plant Life

Many American Beech, Basswood, Hawthorn, Butternut Hickory, Eastern Cottonwood, Sycamore, Black Walnut, Virginia Bluebells, Ostrich Ferns, Goutweed, Japanese Knotweed, Lesser Celandine, Red Pine, Scotch Pine, European Pine, Norway Spruce, Staghorn Sumac, Black Birch

Mammals

Several species of squirrels, opossums, white- tailed deers, raccoons, skunks.

Birds

Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers, Black-capped Chickadees, Whited -Breasted Nuthatch, American Kestrels, Eastern Screech Owls, woodpeckers not counting the many ducks and geese.

Water Life

Akron Falls leads into sparkling streams and to the lake for fishing of pan fish, bass and carp.

Park Facilities:

In 1961, Mabel H. James, the last conservationist and teacher pictured a hiking trail extending from Pennsylvania to Canada and started a section of trail near Holland, NY. The Foothill Trail Club, formed in 1962,continued this trail. The trail extends 176 miles from the North Country Trail, at the Pennsylvania line, to Lewiston NY, where it meet the Canadian Bruce Trail. Much of the Conservation Foot Trail is on privately owned land. The trail has distinct orange markings. Please respect the property rights of these landowners when hiking these areas.

• Baseball
• Bicycling
• Fishing
• Handicap Facilities
• Hiking Trails
• Ice Skating
• Lakes / Ponds
• Picnic Facilities
• Skiing - Cross-Country
• Sledding
• Softball
• Tennis
• Activities:

  There are many great outdoor activities to experience in all seasons. In addition, you can visit the Rock Garden with its decorative shrubbery and stop by the memorial too. There is an outdoor athletic sports field and family picnic grills.

  Summer

  We can experience nature by bicycling through the woods, hiking through our trails, photographing the animal kingdom or even taking out the fishing pole. More strenuous activity can be played at the regulation basketball court, 5 baseball & softball diamonds, 1 tee ball diamond, 7 soccer fields, and 3 tennis courts.

  Winter

  We have many activities to choose from cross country (not groomed), snowshoeing, and sledding.

Resources:

• Erie County Parks and Recreation: http://www.erie.gov/parks/akron.asp