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Park Station Lake

Park Station Recreation Center

Beaver Pond Rd.

Erin, NY 14838

Coordinates: 42.21841°N 76.67391°W

Elevation: 1450 feet/442 meters

Map

Google Earth View

Park Station Lake at Park Station Recreation Center in Erin, New York, USA.

Location

Park Station Lake is part of Park Station Recreation Center. It is located in the northeast portion of Chemung County in the Town of Erin.

Access

There is a chain-link fence around the entire property. The main access to the center is on a dedicated road called Beaver Pond Road. This is the road you should use if you wish to camp, swim, picnic, or use the ball park. A fee is charged at this entrance

There is a second entrance near 623 Laurel Hill Road in Erin with a small parking lot, intended for dog walkers, hikers, birders, canoers, and kayakers. No fee is charged at this entrance.

History

In the late 1800s, the harvesting of timber was a common activity in the Finger Lakes that contributed significantly to the economy of the time. In the Adirondacks in northern New York State, logs were floated down rivers to saw mills. But in the Finger Lakes, logs were hauled by wagon or train. So it was that the Utica-Ithaca-Elmira Railway came to the hamlet of Park Station high on a hill in northern Chemung County in 1873. A post office, the Beckwith Hotel, and the Elmira Printing Supply Company followed the logging industry to Park Station.

Fast forward 100 years and you'd find that the hamlet of Park Station exists in name only. Federal, state, and county funds were used in 1979 to dam the local waterway--Newtown Creek--to create a recreational area. The 53 ft./16.15 m.-dam created what is now known as Park Station Lake.

Physical Features

Now part of the Park Station Recreation Center, Park Station Lake covers 100 acres and is 50 ft./15.24 m. deep with a small island and a marsh.

Camping

Park Station is a popular place to camp. It has 40 wooded campsites, some on the water. All have electricity and a picnic table. There is also a laundry facility, dump station, a camp store, and a playground.

Rowboats line up along the shore of Park Station Lake as canoers paddle the waters.

Boating

Non-motorized boats are permitted on the lake. Canoes, paddleboats, and boats with electric motors (for those with physical disabilities) may be rented from a small lodge at the edge of the lake and launched from a nearby boat launch.

Swimming

Sand has been brought in to create a small beach, and swimming is permitted when a lifeguard is on duty.

Canada geese leave footprints on the sandy beach at Park Station Lake.

Biking

Biking is permitted on the roads in the park and on the established paths around the lake. It is not permitted in the woods.

Hiking

Around the lake are 7 mi./11.27 km. of hiking trails through fields, native shrubs, and woods.

The paved hiking/biking trail (right) along the lake passes by the boat launch area.

Picnicking

There is a pleasant, treed picnic area in easy walking distance of the concession stand, which is open during the summer. There are also picnic sites in various other places within view of the lake. Two pavilions are available for group events.

Winter Activities

In the winter, cross-country skiing is permitted on the trails, and ice skating is permitted on the lake.

Wildlife

Because Park Station is on a high point, it provides lovely views and attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Deer can often be seen on the grounds. Red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, opossums, foxes, and other small mammals live on or near the center. Park Station is also considered one of the better spots in Chemung County to go birding. Click here for more information about birding at Park Station.

Photography

The area is scenic with some good long-distance views. The woods has many native wildflowers and fungi in season. In autumn, waterfowl can be found on the lake. You'll need a long lens for them.

Information

A brochure with map is available at the entrance to the area. For more information about Park Station Recreation Center, visit Chemung County's Department of Parks and Recreation Web site.

Trail map (pdf)