News & Events Archive

Exploring Falls Island through Watercolors

Saturday, September 20, 2025

10:00am - 12:15pm

Heritage Park, Canton

Come learn about the trees and geology of Heritage Park in Canton with artist Sara Lynch and Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Brad Pendergraft for the final installment of Sara's Exploring Falls Island project on September 20th at 10 am (rain date September 27th).

For the first hour of this event, participants will gather under the pavilion at Coakley Island, located on the Grasse River Heritage Trail. From there, we will walk the trail and learn from Brad about the trees and geologic features present on the island while collecting plants for artistic inspiration.

For the second hour, we will take the elements collected on our walk and head to the St. Lawrence County Center for History and Culture at 3 East Main Street. There, we will have the opportunity to examine assorted rock and mineral specimens from their collection and use them, as well as the plants collected on the walk, to practice watercolor painting from observation.

This event is pay what you can, and participants must pre-register here http://bit.ly/4mOgaec to ensure there are enough supplies for everyone. Please email saraelynch@gmail.com if you want to register multiple people at once.

The watercolor portion of the event is not open to those who do not attend the tree identification and geology portion, as those components will provide the vital context and materials needed for the artistic work in which we will engage.

No art or science experience is required, but the inclination and ability to listen, learn, and get your hands a bit dirty are most certainly welcome. All ages are welcome on the walk, but children 10 and under may not have the patience to do the watercolor activity.

Additional parking is available across the street on Willow Island, as well as off Miner Street behind the Canton Town Hall. The trail is moderate and covered with wood chips in most parts. There is also a boardwalk and stairs up and down some steeper sections. Depending on how participants feel, we may turn around and double back on the trail once we get to the stairs.

Email saralynch@saraelynch.com if you have any questions.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

Fun Fungi of Heritage Park

New Date - Saturday, September 13, 2025

Starting at 10:00am

Join Grasse River Heritage on Saturday, August 16 at 10 am to explore the trail at Heritage Park in Canton, NY. Fungi are an essential part of our local ecosystems, although they are not as visible as some organisms. Once you start looking, however, you will find evidence of fungi all around. Claire Burkum, a mycologist with Burkum Tree Care and biology instructor at St. Lawrence University will guide a walk to discuss the ecological roles of fungi (recyclers, food, pathogens and mutualists) and talk about the major groups of fungi. We will look for identifying features of any specimens we find, so if you have a hand lens or magnifying glass, you may want to bring yours. We will also discuss some of the human uses of fungi, including medicines, food and biomaterials, especially art media and as a source of inspiration for artists. Be sure to check out the new art installation Imagined Fungal Emergence by Kate Rusek in the sculpture garden that has fungus as inspiration!

Exploring Falls Island through Ceramics

Saturday, August 30, 2025

10:00am - 12:00pm

Enjoy a late summer's stroll through Heritage Park, in historic downtown Canton, on August 30th at 10 a.m.! Nature Up North, Grasse River Heritage, and local artist Sara Lynch will be leading an interactive exploration of the river ecology of Heritage Park. Following a leisurely walking tour, participants will be invited to make ceramic art inspired by the observations and discussions that emerge from our ecological survey experience.

Participants will gather under the pavilion at Coakley Island, located on the Grasse River Heritage Trail. During this event, we will examine the differences between upper and lower Falls Island and how the plants we find in each location inform our understanding of the island's role in the Grasse River ecosystem. The first hour will be spent walking the trail on Falls Island with Dan French from Nature Up North telling us about the ecology of the island, and Sara sharing advice on what plant matter will be good to gather for the pottery project. For the second hour, we will take the collected elements from the walk to decorate pre-made ceramic vessel pots provided by Sara.

This event is free, but participants must pre-register through the ticket link to ensure there are enough supplies for everyone. The ceramic art portion of the event is not open to those who do not attend the plant identification and ecology portion, as those components will provide the vital context and materials needed for the artistic work in which we will engage.

The ticket link can be found here.

Ceramics made during the event will then be taken back to Sara's studio to dry and then be fired. This process will be explained more in the event, and pick up of the finished pieces will be set up for a later date. All ages are welcome, but children 10 and under will need a supervising adult with them. No art or science experience is required, but the inclination and ability to listen, learn, and get your hands a bit dirty is most certainly welcome.

Additional parking will be available across the street on Willow Island, as well as off Miner Street behind the Canton Town Hall. The trail is moderate and covered with wood chips in most parts. There is also a boardwalk and stairs up and down some steeper sections. Depending on how participants feel, we may turn around and double back on the trail once we get to the stairs.

Folding chairs will be provided for the pottery decorating portion of the event, but if you have a chair that you prefer, please feel free to bring it.

Email saralynch@saraelynch.com if you have any questions.

Economics, Industry, and Ecology: How the Grasse River Shaped Canton's Past and Present

Heritage Park, Canton

Friday, August 8, 2025

4:00 - 5:30pm

Cost: Free, but donations appreciated

Registration: Registration: Call the main office at (315) 386-8133, e-mail Carlene Bermann at carlene@slcha.org, or register online here.

Learn how the factories and mills that once relied on the Grasse River’s power led to significant changes in the local landscape that are still present today. Experience some of the remediation projects Grasse River Heritage has done to try to mitigate the environmental impacts of over 200 years of human activity on Falls Island.

This walking tour is relatively easy and will cover Heritage Park Trail as well as some additional neighboring streets.

Participants will meet hosts Carlene Bermann and Dan French at Heritage Park Trailhead at 4:00 PM.

Bill Romey: Non-pest insects

Heritage Park, Canton

Saturday, July 12, 2025

10:00 am

Bill Romey will present a short walk and talk about non-pest insects in our area. He will bring a variety of tools to help you catch and hold bugs to look at. Then, we will discuss the identity, behavior, and ecology of what we find. Bring your questions and, if you have them, bug identification books!

The Creation of Canton's Islands: A walk on the Power of Water

Satuday, June 28, 2025

10 am

Heritage Park, Canton

Spend a morning in Heritage Park with SUNY Potsdam's Chair of Earth and Environmental Sciences Adam Pearson as he leads us on a walk through Heritage Park. Learn about how the island was formed by the power of the Grasse River, as reflected in the geology we can find along the trail. Did the river choose where to put the island? Or, was Heritage Park created by coincidence? You'll have to join us to find out!

Summer Solstice Celebration

June 15, 2025

3:00-5:00 PM

Willow Island, Canton

Join Grasse River Heritage on Willow Island in Canton for an afternoon of music and ice cream! This family friendly event features local guest musician Barb Heller, who will be giving a live musical performance for guests in the park. Enjoy a scoop of Stewart’s ice cream to cool off on a warm summer’s afternoon! Father's eat free for father's day! All will be happening between 3-5pm on Sunday, June 15th. Take a moment to cross the street to explore Heritage Park, or follow up the conclusion of the event with a meal at one of the many restaurants in downtown Canton.

The best place to park for this event will be the parking lot on Miner Street, behind Canton Town Hall, followed by a short walk down Main Street to the park. We hope to see you there!

Special Bonus: There will be a Nature Walk from 2:00-3:00 PM in Heritage Park with Sara Lynch and Tom Langen.

Spring Birding with Tom Langen

May 31, 2025

8:30 am

Heritage Park, Canton

Late May is the best time to see North Country breeding birds - they have arrived from the wintering grounds, and are setting up territories and making nests. Go for a leisurely walk with Grasse River Heritage board member Tom Langen to learn about the interesting breeding behavior of the birds at Heritage Park. Beginning birders are welcome.

Tracking Tracks

Sunday, February 16, 2025

10:00am - 11:00am

Join Dan French on Sunday, Feb. 16th at 10am in the heart of Canton for a walk around Heritage Park on a hunt for animal tracks. Learn the basics of animal track identification, what animals we should expect to find in Heritage Park, any why we're (hopefully) finding them there.

The parking lot in the park is not plowed in the winter, so park in the parking lots next to Main Street in Canton. Traction devices are heavily recommended! The trail is packed and frozen from foot traffic. We may also make a few trails of our own into the underbrush on the island. Be sure to dress warmly and bring water.

Jacob Rosales has been selected to receive the 2024 Grasse River Heritage Award

Awarded to the Canton senior who exemplifies the ability to help promote cultural, economic, educational, and recreational opportunities within the Grasse River Corridor, Jacob was nominated by the Canton High School District Scholarship Committee.

Jacob will be attending Willamette University this fall with interests in Forestry, Environmental Sciences, and Wildlife Conservation. Jacob has participated in hockey, lacrosse, track and field, golf and soccer in his high school years. He volunteered to help rebuild the Canton Recreational Pavilion outdoor rink.

MOW (Monitor Our Water) the Grasse!

July 20, 2024

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Join Grasse River Heritage in partnership with Nature Up North to learn more about how community members can monitor the waterways near you! This MOW the Grasse (Monitor Our Water) community science initiative provides an opportunity for hands-on experience with the tools and methods needed to check water quality. You'll learn the step-by-step process of checking physical conditions (temperature, flow, and others), chemical conditions (pH, agricultural runoff), and finally biological conditions (macroinvertebrates, and e-coli). We can draw conclusions about water quality based on what we find the day of the tests!

This is a great chance to learn more about Grasse River Heritage, our events, and ways you can help maintain some of Canton's community parks.

Make sure to register so we know how many testing kits to bring. Click on this link to register: https://www.natureupnorth.org/form/july-20-mow-signup

Family Friendly. Bring a pair of water shoes if you have them or shoes that you don't mind getting wet.

Walk in the Park

June 8, 2024

10:00 AM

Heritage Park, Canton

Reptiles and Amphibians with Glenn Johnson

Glenn Johnson, herpetologist, will begin his show and talk with a selection of turtles, a snake, and a tiger salamander at Heritage Park, 2 Main Street. A half mile walk on the trail will follow as participants look for any herps and learn about the natural history and habitats of local species. Family friendly.

Dr. Johnson is professor and Chair of the Biology Department at SUNY Potsdam. He has conducted conservation research on Blanding's Turtles, chorus frogs, Massasauga rattlesnakes and spruce grouse and is a coauthor on the book The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State: Identification, Natural History, and Conservation.

SAVE THE DATE!

First Walk in the Park of 2024 will be on May 18th from 10-11:00 a.m.

Time Travel on Falls Island in Canton

Tom VandeWater will lead a 1/2 mile walk at 10:00 am on May 25th, 2024, around Falls Island to explore the geology and dynamics of the Grasse River as seen from this historic island through a thousand million years of time. Participants will share what they know about the river, past and present. Family friendly.

Location: Heritage Park, 2 Main Street, Canton, NY

Stride with Pride

Thanks to Potsdam Pride for co-organizing and hosting a fun "Stride with Pride" in Heritage Park to continue celebrating Pride Month throughout June. We had a great afternoon enjoying the Heritage Park loop and looking for the whimsies!

Fun At The Whimsy Walk!

Thanks to all who came out to celebrate the kick-off of two months of nature related "whimsies" visiting Heritage Park! Folks and familiies walked the 1/2 mile trail loop in the park spotting all the whimsy wildlife for a prize, while enjoying music from NCPR Music Host Sarah Scafidi-McGuire. We had so much fun searching for macro-invertebrates with Nature Up North and learning about the connections between fungi and trees while crafting a telephone with the North Country Children's Museum, and more! Thanks to the North Country School, Deep Root Center, and St. Lawrence University students for their whimsy sculpture donations! And a huge thank you to all who came out, we're already looking forward to next years big summer event!

A huge thank you again to our amazing business sponsors: Coakley Home and Hardware and Rex Hardware!

Thank You Volunteers!

Our opening Volunteer Workday on Saturday, May 13th at Heritage Park was a HUGE success! Thank you to the Corning-Canton Plant volunteers who came out, as well as the assortment of community volunteers and Grasse River Heritage members. With a team of 25 people we made quick work of weeding, mulching, tree limb removal, pruning, laying down wood chips on the trail, and more. We couldn't have done it without YOUR help and we're so appreciative to all of the people who volunteered their time on Saturday morning to help keep Heritage Park looking glamorous.

Thank You Lance Rudiger - Historical Walk in the Park!

Lance's walk on Saturday, May 13th was a trip back in time, from the Ice Age up through the 17, 18, 1900's and finally to the present day! Lance detailed how the old buildings on the island were used, and what a U.S. president was doing visiting Canton and the park. He explained how the town and the island have changed over hundreds of years, not just socially but geologically and more! Thank you Lance for your expertise and enthusiasm, and for all the community members who came out to learn!

Thank You North Country Savings Bank!

Hailey LePage of North Country Savings Bank presents a check to Anneke Larrance, Grasse River Heritage. NCSB supports Grasse River Heritage's dedication to restoring the Grasse River as a central place in the life of the Canton community.

Thank You Betsy!

If you visited Heritage Park this past fall (2022) it was hard to miss the new wooden walkway on the far side of the island. A huge thanks goes out to Betsy Robinson (pictured here) who suggested and helped fund the building of this walkway. Heritage Park is owned and maintained for the public by Grasse River Heritage.

Peter Wyckoff receiving his Volunteer of the Year Award from GRH Vice President Anneke Larrance.

Volunteer of the Year!

Grasse River Heritage could not exist without its many volunteers, and so, to honor them all, we select a Volunteer of the Year. None exemplifies their contribution and dedication more than this year’s winner, Peter Wyckoff. For two decades, Pete brought exceptional leadership and expertise to GRH as a member of its Board of Directors, including a term as President. He retired from the Board at the end of 2021 but has continued to pour time and energy into the work of GRH and the experience of our visitors, taking the lead in complex repair and construction projects in Heritage Park and art installations in the nearby sculpture garden. We could cite examples, but the truth is that there is no direction you can look in these parks and not see his remarkable handiwork.

Volunteer Day at Heritage Park

Many volunteers helped Saturday, November 5th at Heritage Park in Canton as the organization updated the landscape with new shrubs and trees. Pictured are Beth Denny and Louis Tremaine as they plant a new Serviceberry tree which will feature white blossoms in the spring, provide edible food for birds, and show vivid fall colors.

Thank You SLU Students!

A group of St. Lawrence University Orientation Leaders spent an afternoon in August at Heritage Park helping out the Buildings and Grounds Committee. One of their main tasks was covering up the graffiti on the Speare Saw Mill Bunker on Falls Island.

Thank you to the students for volunteering their time, and to Ashley Downing-Duke, St. Lawrence University Senior Associate Director of Student Activities and Leadership & Director of the Student Center for coordinating with Grasse River Heritage!

Kiosk Repair

Thanks to the Buildings and Grounds Committee and some hard-working volunteers, the Coakley Island Kiosk is looking great - once again stable with some very fresh-looking pressure treated posts. Thanks for all the hard work team!

Our Solstice Event is back!

After a 2 year hiatus due to COVID, we are re-igniting our spectacular summer solstice event. This is a fun family event with games for all ages. Activities will include pie toss, balloon pop prizes, scavenger hunts, a cash bar, and more. This year we are excited to add a fortune teller to our list of activities! There will be music provided by NCPR dj Sarah Scafidi-McGuire. We'll also have food trucks, and as always, the beauty of the park and river.

Walk In The Park Series Continues!

As part of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce's Great 8 Challenge, take an hour Saturday, June 4th, or whenever fits your schedule best, to explore Heritage Park and check a "Waterfall Crawl" trail off of your list!

The last Saturday of June, Patrick Hanss will be leading an angler walk beginning at 9:30. Ever wondered what type of fish you could catch in the Grasse River? Now's your chance to find out, and learn some fishing tips and tricks while you're at it!

If you haven't seen the new sculpture yet, it's a treat! More details about Rybee House are below, and we can't wait until the rest of the sculptures are in! Stay tuned for more details on an upcoming Sculpture Garden Walk.

New Sculpture Installed!

Rybee House, a wood sculpture by Steven Klema, was installed in the Grasse River Heritage Sculpture Park in Canton recently. Klema's piece is the first in a series of new sculptures to be presented in Grasse River

Heritage's Sculpture Exhibit III. Stay tuned for more information on new sculpture installations and a Sculpture Garden Walk once Exhibit III is complete!

SUNY Canton Outdoor Club volunteers at Heritage Park!

Members of the SUNY Canton Outdoor Club worked at Heritage Park in Canton replacing the split rail fence on Coakley Island: Julia Stevens, Liz George, Montana Houseman, Paige Jegierski, Lailah Emad, Joshua Haft, Liam Szabo, Steven House, and Louis Tremaine from Grasse River Heritage.

Call for Volunteers!

Grasse River Heritage is a non-profit organization without any staff. We are engaged in a campaign to increase community involvement. Grasse River Heritage owns and maintains three parks: Heritage Park, The Grasse River Sculpture Garden, and Dwight Church Park. The organization also has an advisory role with the new Arts Park on Canton Island and plans for an additional point of access (a fishing launch) to the Grasse River. GRH has a Walk in the Park series, a Solstice celebration, and three parks to maintain.

We welcome volunteers interested in long-range planning, with interest in expanding the recreational opportunities on the Grasse River, and interest in the arts. We also need creative, organized people who like to plan diverse programming and share it on social media and the website. Volunteers who are willing to help with cutting, pruning, planting, and weeding as well as tree care are encouraged to reach out too.

Commitments are typically around 1-2 hours per month. You are invited to join this team of supporters. Just follow the link to volunteer.

Volunteer of the Year - 2021

Grasse River Heritage's 2021 Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Judy DeGraaff in recognition of her consistent and dedicated years of work at Heritage Park in Canton. Building and Grounds chair, Pete Wyckoff, commented; "Judy has been raking, weeding, and pruning in Heritage Park since we opened to the public in 2008. I know when I put out a call for volunteers for the Opening and Closing Work Session that Judy will be there." Grasse River Heritage thanks Judy and the many other volunteers who contribute their time to keep the park safe and welcoming for the community and the many visitors that enjoy its use.

Heritage Park Trail/Cascade Falls included in STLC Trails Waterfall Crawl Great 8 Challenge!

CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO DISCOVER ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY'S MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES!

The Great 8 Challenges have been designed to introduce you to new trails and experiences across the great county (the largest in New York!) All of the challenge trails are family friendly and can be explored if you're new to the outdoors, a seasoned hiker or somewhere in between!

To join the challenge, create a free user account here on stlctrails.com. Then use the Trail Log on your account page to document the trails you have completed. When you have a trail log for every the trail in the challenge, we will send you a congratulatory email with a digital badge. Display your achievement to all your family and friends with a Great 8 Challenge sticker! Order them here. Patches coming soon...

Read about walk with a doc here

Trail logs dating from January 2020 can count in the Challenge.

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