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Displays, activities highlight natural treasure

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Reese Walizer, 9, of Montoursville, examines a monarch butterfly on her Q-tip at Folks Butterfly Farm’s booth during Rider Park’s open house Sunday.

WARRENSVILLE — Bluebirds, bats and butterflies were among topics of interest to those attending the fourth annual open house at Rider Park on Sunday.

A gift to the community from the late civic leader and businessman Thomas J. Rider, the park site includes over 868 acres of woodlands and meadows in an area north of Warrensville. Popular among outdoor enthusiasts, the park’s major and secondary trails cover 15 miles and provide opportunity for hikers, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, bird watchers and picnickers. Three vistas provide scenic views of the valleys below.

In addition to everyday activities enjoyed by park visitors, Sunday’s event offered other displays, crafts and interactive venues focusing on the environment and appreciation for the arts and outdoors. An annual favorite is Folks Butterfly Farm. The farm is a travelling classroom offering youngsters the opportunity to learn about the lifecycle of the butterfly. A netted enclosure allowed a hands-on experience where kids can feed the butterflies with cotton swabs soaked with food.

Bird enthusiasts were treated to a viewing stand courtesy of the local Lycoming Audubon

Society. Overlooking a park meadow, watchers could observe nesting bluebirds and other species courtesy of binoculars provided by the society.

According to longtime Audubon member Mike Kuriga, the park is an excellent place for birdwatching. “It’s outstanding,” Kuriga said. “As good as any place in the country.”

He pointed out the park meadows especially are active this time of year, and that the vistas offer spectacular views of raptor migration in the fall.

Those of a more daring nature could learn about the benefits of bats, snakes and other reptiles at the Wildlife Specialists tent. Wildlife Specialists is a Wellsboro-based company that works in cooperation with the state to provide survey data on the effect construction and development can have on wildlife such as bats and snakes. Spokesman Brian Benner was on hand, providing the opportunity for close contact with live specimens of venomous and non-venomous snakes native to our area. Any handling of live specimens was carefully controlled.

Additional displays and demonstrations at Sunday’s event included nature photography, gardening, face painting, chain saw carving, textiles and weaving, and summer safety education.

Jack Willoughby, chief financial officer of The First Community Foundation Partnership, which now owns Rider Park, also was on hand to discuss upcoming plans for improvement to park facilities.

“We get crowded during the summer, and we need better access and parking for cars and busses,” Willoughby said. “A handicap accessible hiking trail is another priority.”

Despite cool and cloudy weather, attendance at the park was steady throughout the afternoon. Michelle and Jason Metzger, of Loyalsock Township, are fans. Michelle Metzger mentioned they haven’t missed an open house at the park. “It’s a great event,” Jason Metzger said. “I like the face painting,” added 6-year-old daughter Emerson.

Loyalsock Township resident Dan Pryor brought his daughter, Gabrielle, aged 10, and son, Rowan, 7. “We come to the park occasionally,” Pryor said. “It’s clean and the trails are well maintained. It’s perfect for family hikes.” As for the events of the day, Rowan liked the snakes best, while Gabrielle favored the crafts.

Rider Park holds a special place in the hearts of Dave and Erica Wertz, of Linden.

“We had our first date here about eight and a half years ago,” Wertz said. “Not long after, we were married out on Doe Pen Vista.” Doe Pen is one of the park’s scenic overlooks. The Wertz’s continue to enjoy the park’s offerings, and were in attendance Sunday with daughter Meadow.

Rider Park is open year around from dawn until dusk, offering low-impact recreation in a natural outdoor setting.

For more information on park events and activities, go to www.riderpark.org.

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