Erie County Government - Official website of the Erie County, NY Government
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To make a shelter reservation, please choose one of the following options
Prices in effect January 1, 2009
Location:
Parkview Drive | Akron, NY 14001
Reservations:
Picnic site reservations call 716/858-8355
For enclosed shelter/building reservations call 858-8355 from 8:00 to 3:30 weekdays or click here to fill out an electronic request
Facilities:
Baseball, Bicycling, Fishing, Handicap Facilities, Hiking Trails, Ice Skating, Lakes/Ponds, Picnic Facilities, Skiing - X-Country, Sledding, Softball, Tennis
Click here for detailed information on shelters
The earliest inhabitants of the Akron Park Area were three major groups of Indians: the Eries, Neutral-Wenros, and the Hurons. These cultures lasted until approximately 1650, when the Iroquois Nation absorbed the tribes. The area immediately adjacent to and including the village of Akron belonged to that segment of the Iroquois Indians known as the "Seneca". The Seneca Indians remained the strongest and most prominent tribe at the time.
In 1798, the Holland Land Company transformed the Great Central Trail (the Iroquois trail which passed from Albany through Akron) into a rutted wagon road for ambitious pioneers. This road was called the "Buffalo Road" and it became the first wagon trail in Erie County. (The Akron News, 23 June 1966)
The Civil Works Administration, which was funded by the PWA, initiated the development of Akron Falls. They hired 90 men to develop the park and each received a minimum of $15.00 per week. Later that same year the dam and artificial lake was constructed from bond funds. (The Akron News, December 1933)
Erie County Parks acquired Akron Falls Parks System in 1947. The county purchased additional acreage to provide for a skating rink and picnic space. This further lead to the construction of footbridges, stone fireplaces and tables. (The Akron News, June 1966)
In addition to it's cultural history and charms, the Akron Falls park is also the setting of a beautiful, yet tragic love story. Click here to learn The Legend of Murder Creek.
When you take a ride to Akron Falls, you'll take notice of the lush moss, ferns, and dense forest that surround the cliffs. Here you can breathe the mystical breeze as the water cascades over the falls especially in the fall season. Down stream along the lake, you can spot many types of birds that have made the park their home.
In 1961, Mabel H. James, the last conservationist and teacher pictured a hiking trail extending from Pennsylvania to Canada and started a section of trail near Holland, NY. The Foothill Trail Club, formed in 1962,continued this trail. The trail extends 176 miles from the North Country Trail, at the Pennsylvania line, to Lewiston NY, where it meet the Canadian Bruce Trail. Much of the Conservation Foot Trail is on privately owned land. The trail has distinct orange markings. Please respect the property rights of these landowners when hiking these areas.
There are many great outdoor activities to experience in all seasons. In addition, you can visit the Rock Garden with its decorative shrubbery and stop by the memorial too. There is an outdoor athletic sports field and family picnic grills.
Your information resource from the government of Erie County, New York
