JayRich Blog: A Major Addition to the Town of Aurora Parks System

Hikers, bird watchers, autumn leaf peepers, and nature lovers alike have a major new place to check out in East Aurora. At around 40 acres of largely untouched marshland, Major’s Park is the latest addition to the Town of Aurora’s already-impressive recreation spots.

Intrigued by my discoveries here, I wanted to learn more about the park, its history, and its surroundings. It turns out a man by the last name Majors donated parts and sold other parts of a large parcel of land to the town. His original intent was to develop the land into houses, but it looks like now it will remain greenspace. (Didn't Wal Mart try to turn this same parcel into a big-box a few years ago? They actually planned a park behind the store as I recall...)

I first discovered the park late this summer, and have enjoyed exploring its boardwalk area, swampland, and various trails. Since that initial visit, the parking area has been expanded, and a proper sign was added at the NY-16 entrance, proving that Major’s is still being improved.

In fact, the park is actually in a soft-open phase. Peggy Cooke of Town of Aurora Recreation explains, “It is not ‘officially’ open. We are planning to do so this fall, but residents are welcome in the park.”

My first visit to Major’s was spent mainly exploring the boardwalk area. The elevated Trex walkway makes exploring a much less mucky affair. The boardwalk circuit is relatively short, but easily accessible to people with disabilities, and it provides unprecedented views of wildflowers, marshland, and various wildlife that call the surrounding woods home.

After becoming bored with the ‘walk, I proceeded to explore some of the trails that veer off from the main path. One trail led to a grassy opening along the banks of Cazenovia Creek. Benches and a picnic table dot the landscape and make this little forest oasis an ideal place for a picnic lunch. The park benches and table look particularly worn, but, “…only [appear] aged because it came from another park,” says Cooke.

Perhaps most intriguing about this little alcove is what lies directly east in the underbrush. Laid to rest in this woodsy area is a magnificent old iron trestle, now collapsed and partially submerged in the lazy waters of Cazenovia. Walking around, I studied the trestle in great detail, searching for a name, a foundry marking—anything that might shed a little light on why this piece of iron was rusting away in these otherwise undeveloped surrounds.

Again Mrs. Cooke was helpful by explaining, “The old iron trestle was purchased by a prior owner—he bought a used bridge from Buffalo and had it hauled out here and placed across the creek so he could get to the apple orchard.”

Turn around and head northwest on the same trail, and you can enjoy a peaceful nature hike along this incredibly placid and murky branch of Cazenovia Creek. I say this because Cazenovia is usually a turgid creek, especially during a rain or snowmelt. If I had the gear, I’d love to try kayaking along this branch of the Caz.

I followed the aforementioned trail to its end at a grassy meadow. I couldn’t help but notice civilization was never far away—homes are perched right above the creek bed. A climb up a steep embankment, well fettered with gnarled tree roots for handholds, and behold, nature had given way to 1960s-era bungalows on a quaint cul-del-sac. I was in the Geneva Road subdivision of East Aurora.

VISIT IT

Major’s Park is easily accessible from the surrounding areas. Exit NY-400 at NY-16 (Olean Rd.) and head north toward East Aurora. Major’s Park is clearly marked on the left side of the road behind Old Tyme Chet’s hot dog and ice cream stand. Another entrance, albeit with minimal parking, is accessible near the Community Pool park on South St.

While not a huge preserve by any means, Major’s is big enough to make an afternoon outing of it. You can hike, kayak, bird watch, or grab a picnic lunch from Chet’s. Or you can do what I did: take a camera along. You never know what kind of wildlife or scenery might surprise you at Major’s Park. Speaking of photos, be sure to check out the Flickr gallery below for some shots of my major discoveries: