Thursday, November 26, 2009

Rock Point Nature Area 2009


Rock Point Nature Area

The Wild Waterways Conservancy has an interesting and historic property near Ellwood City that just begs to be explored. Rock Point Park was a Victorian-era amusement park nestled within the land between the railway and the Connoquenessing Creek where it joins the Beaver River. Another "Trolley Park", it was contemporary to and in competition with the likes of Kennywood, Idora Park and Cascade Park. Rock Point saw its heyday between 1885 and 1911.

After closing there were an undetermined number of fires that destroyed the structures, and nearly 100 years hence there is little evidence of the park. Nature has reclaimed the area, allowing for some picturesque hiking trails along a few of the original walkways. Leaving those trails the area presents a rugged landscape, challenging to experienced hikers.

October 17th should present some beautiful Fall colors and some thinning of the dense foliage. A perfect time to explore! Our October 2009 newsletter will have meeting times and plans for our day. Visit our website at www.westmorelandconservancy.org for information and photos of past group excursions.
Links: http://www.wildwaterways.org/ http://www.geocities.com/mattfoy2000/index.html http://www.draganjac.com/wp-content/uploads/RP1.jpg http://www.wpconline.org/dailyphotos/wpcdaily-11-9.asp http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Ellwood+City&state=PA&address=Rock+Point+Rd&zipcode=16117

Autumn on the Conequonessing by shelly_tichy
wild sunflower by shelly_tichy
stairway to.... by shelly_tichy
"Ladies' Cottage" by shelly_tichy
once a fountain by shelly_tichy
miniature rail by shelly_tichy
railroad bridge by shelly_tichy
set in stone: old grafitti by shelly_tichy
puddle by shelly_tichy
charred by shelly_tichy
exploring by shelly_tichy
cistern by shelly_tichy
Tracee in the old cistern by shelly_tichy