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Nature Centers in the Finger Lakes

Spencer Crest

Spencer Hill Rd.
Corning, NY 14870
607-962-2169

 

The interpretative center at Spencer Crest Nature Center in Corning, New York.

LOCATION

Spencer Crest Nature Center is located on Spencer Hill in a rural area just south of the City of Corning in Steuben County. It is adjacent to the Corning Community College campus.

HABITAT

The 250-acre nature preserve offers a unique combination of habitats where two forest zones--an oak-hickory-hemlock forest and a beech-birch-maple forest--intersect. Two ponds--Amelia and Turtle--are connected by a stream.

 

Amelia Pond at Spencer Crest Nature Center in Corning, New York is dedicated to Amelia Gerhardt Creath, a former biologist at Corning Community College.

INTERPRETATIVE CENTER

Just off the parking lot is the interpretative center with its educational displays. A modern structure, the building is set into the hillside and blends in well with the surrounding woods.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY

The interpretive center is accessible by wheelchair via a long, wooden ramp. Just off the center's front entrance is the Sensitivity Trail, a looping boardwalk through a lovely woods full of native wildflowers and ferns that leads to the Rockwell Pavilion where there are a number of picnic tables.

 

The Sensitivity Trail at Spencer Crest Nature Center, Corning, New York. This looped boardwalk is ideal for those with visual or mobility limitations. The boardwalk leads to the Rockwell Pavilion where one can enjoy a quiet picnic.

ACTIVITIES 

During the spring, summer, and fall hiking and jogging are permitted on the seven miles of trail, which link a tower, a lean-to, a milk house, a pavilion, a gazebo, and three meadows. The trails are generally dry and well defined. Several trails lead onto the Corning Community College campus. Dogs are not permitted on campus, but they are permitted on the nature center property when leashed.

 

In winter, snowshoeing and cross-county skiing make good use of the snow. A slope near the interpretative center provides sledding and Amelia Pond provides ice for skating.

 

Part of the Spencer Crest Nature Center property used to be a farm. This old milk house in a field of wildflowers is all that's left of the farm now.

NEARBY PLACES OF INTEREST

Chemung River

Corning Museum of Glass

Gaffer District

Rockwell Museum of Western Art

 

Updated 30 July 2010

 

 

 

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