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Nature Centers in the Finger Lakes

Clark Reservation

6105 East Seneca Turnpike (Rt. 173)
Jamesville, NY 13078
315-492-0067 or 492-1590

 

The nature center at Clark Reservation State Park.

LOCATION

Clark Reservation Nature Center is located 5 mi./8 km. southeast of the City of Syracuse in the Town of DeWitt in Onondaga County. The nature center is part of Clark Reservation State Park, which charges an entrance fee at certain times of the year.

GENERAL

The nature center is a rustic, one-room building of stone and wood. It is operated by the Council of Park Friends, a non-profit organization, which funds the center's naturalist and maintains the native plant garden in front of the center.

 

The nature center, is packed with a variety of exhibits, including those on the unique geology of the park and its wildlife. Guided nature walks are sometimes available. The center is usually open throughout the summer from Memorial Day (late May) through Labor Day (early September).

 

Two children and their father work with the naturalist to get a specimen ready for the microscope.

THE PARK 

Clark Reservation State Park is a 315-acre park with 6.5 mi./10.4 km. of easy hiking trails that lead around the rim of a deep gorge to a meromictic glacial lake. There is also a mixed woods, a meadow, and a wetland. Interesting wildlife and plants abound. A picnic area with a pavilion and tables overlooks the lake. The park is an excellent place for birding and photography. A map of the park is available at the park's own page.

 

A female yellow garden spider, also called a black and yellow argiope (Agiope aurantia), hangs upside down in her web, which is always decorated with a zigzag thread. This is a large spider that feeds on grasshoppers and bees.

ACCESSIBILITY

The nature center is accessible to wheelchairs, however, the building is small and would be difficult to manoeuvre in. Most of the trails are inappropriate for wheelchairs, though the picnic area is accessible.

DOGS

Dogs are permitted in the park and must be leashed at all times.

NEARBY PLACES OF INTEREST

Erie Canal Museum

Green Lakes State Park

Old Erie Canal State Park

Onondaga Lake Park

 

Updated 2 September 2010

 

 

 

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