Richie LaPaglia

One of Western New York’s greatest places to see the changing fall foliage is Chestnut Ridge Park in nearby Orchard Park.  This is truly falls at its best!  There are picnic spots, and trails in the deepest of the woods, which are filled with mini-ponds and colorful leaves. There are masterful steep ridges on fault lines which create scenic views of the area’s surroundings. This park is huge and has multiple parts to it. There was even a wedding taking place in front of the beauty of the area with blue skies, a perfect pond, and vivid leaves. There were hundreds of people at the park and many anticipating a great fall afternoon.

One of the coolest natural features that never stops is the well-known Eternal Flame. This trail that leads to the flame is also a separate section half a mile down the road from the main entrance of the park. The trail has steep ridges surrounding both sides and you must climb all the way down to it and has a 100-foot dropoff. Amazing shale solidifies the walls of this “room.” There are tiny environments that you would never have thought existed in these sunlight-deprived parts. Surprisingly, small lizards live in little pools of water, and birds create nests on the sides of the ridges.  When you arrive at the Eternal Flame, it is encased in a cave where you can stop to admire its beauty. It is kept lit with natural gas and the flame never goes out. It has been there for centuries and has made it through blizzards, thunderstorms, and the seasons over the years. It is truly a natural treasure.

If you ever have a chance to check out Chestnut Ridge Park; no matter what time of the year or how long you are going, it is a great place to spend the day. Especially when all is here.