Letchworth ................................................. Elizabeth Licata

Letchworth

Always beautiful, always improving

BY ELIZABETH LICATA

The beautiful autumn foliage at Letchworth State Park Photo by Stephen Gabris

Many Buffalonians have been to Letchworth at least once in their lives, but regular visitors know that the park is always adding amenities. Recent improvements include the Humphrey Nature Center, completed in 2016, which interprets the geology, wildlife, and botany of the park and includes a butterfly garden and bird observation station. Designed by Buffalo firm HHL Architects, the timber and fieldstone facility contains a gorge wall that faithfully replicates the chasm’s rock face. Overnighters should check out Parker’s Hideaway (newly renovated) and Maplewood Lodge—for those who prefer some glam with their camping—as well as the usual array of rustic cabins and camping sites.

The Glen Iris Inn offers its own guest accommodations as well as dining, and there are five other lodging options—most with luxury features— as well as the main inn. Originally built as a country retreat for William Prior Letchworth, who left it and the park to New York State, it offers one of the most spectacular views in the park from its generous windows. There are sixty-six-miles-worth of trails criss-crossing Letchworth, but some are better than others for leaf peeping. Experts recommend the Letchworth Gorge Trail as a top choice;

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it covers seven miles along the west side of the Genesee River and includes two major waterfall views. It’s also well marked and relatively easy. A fourmile portion of the Gorge Trail that leads down to Inspiration Point and the Lower falls is also recommended. A shorter trail, with views that alltrailscom members call “awesome.” “amazing,” and “very beautiful,” the one-point-seven-mile walk includes a waterful and large, crystal clear pool as well as gorgeous foliage.

Outside of the park, the town of Perry offers a wonderful farmers’ market (Saturdays), the Hole in the Wall restaurant, East Hill Creamery cheesemakers, and the Silver Lake Brewing Project. East Hill Creamery is the only producer of comté cheese in the United States. The firm, nutty cheese is called Silver Lake and made in sixty-pound wheels that are aged for a full year. This prizewinner has helped make East Hill famous. Eat Hill by itself is a great reason to start In Perry for late morning shopping and lunch before embarking on the Grand Canyon of the East. FY

Elizabeth Licata is editor-in-chief of Buffalo Spree.

See

Three major waterfalls, many smaller waterfalls, fifty varieties of trees, bald eagles, and wide variety of other wildlife; historic sites include a restored Seneca Council House and the grave of Mary Jemison.

Shop

Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show, October 9–10, Perry Village Park

Eat/drink

Glen Iris Inn, Lumber Yard, Hole in the Wall, Silver Lake Brewing Project

Visit

parks.ny.gov/parks/79/details. aspx and gowyomingcountyny. com for many other suggestions.