Several activities are scheduled for next week at Cherry Springs and Lyman Run state parks in Potter County.
Cherry Springs will offer the following programs: Launch Into Space, Nature at Night, Night Sky Tour, Around the World in 80 Minutes and a Nightscapes Photography Workshop. Lyman Run will host a Kayak Tour and Dessert.
The Kayak Tour and Dessert will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 5 at Lyman Run. Attendees will go on a kayak tour of Lyman Lake, followed by dessert at the park.
Preregister and prepay the $10 per person fee. Preregistration closes three days before this kayak tour. To preregister visit http://bit.ly/2019FOLROutdoorFunandFood.
Lyman Run State Park, located at 454 Lyman Run Road, is 8.7 miles from U.S. Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and Lyman Run Road.
At Cherry Springs, Launch Into Space will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 4 and 6, when attendees are invited to join park staff at the Night Sky Viewing Area for astronomy-themed educational games that provide an introduction to astronomy and the Night Sky Tour program that follows. Preregistration is not required for this family-friendly, free event.
Nature at Night will be July 5. Planning to attend the July 5 Night Sky Tour program at the Night Sky Viewing Area? Arrive early and join park staff from 8 to 8:45 p.m. for Nature at Night, a family-friendly program on fascinating night creatures, such as fireflies, bats, black bears, coyotes or others based on animal activity in the park. Preregistration is not required.
Free Night Sky Tours will be held July 4, 5 and 6. During the free tours, held from 9:30 to 11 p.m. in the park’s Night Sky Viewing Area, park staff will conduct a laser-guided tour of the constellations and talk about the myths and legends that surround them. Attendees will then be invited to view the dark skies through the park’s telescopes for an up close look at celestial objects. Preregistration is required.
The Around the World in 80 Minutes tour is being offered at 9:15 p.m. on July 5. A maximum of 16 people who preregister and prepay can attend. This small group experience with the North Star Outdoor Guides’ Dark Sky Telescope Tours ensures maximum telescope time and a more individualized program. The fee is $20. For details, visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park.
The first 10 people who preregister will be accepted for the Nightscapes Photography Workshop being given by Curt Weinhold at 9:15 p.m. July 6. Participants will learn how to photograph the starry night sky, including constellations and the Milky Way, and foreground material using their own DSLR camera and lenses. View samples of Weinhold’s work at http://pbase.com/cwphoto. The fee is $60. For details, visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park.
Online preregistration for stargazing programs is required by visiting http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park.
Cherry Springs State Park is located at 4639 Cherry Springs Road, 12 miles from Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44. All stargazing and other programs will be cancelled if it rains or thunders.
Anyone may observe the night sky at Cherry Springs on his or her own without attending a stargazing program. All visitors should arrive before dark. Search for the Clear Sky Chart online for 48-hour forecasts about viewing conditions.
If there is a problem with registering online or for information about programs offered at either park, call (814) 435-1037 or email cherryspringsee@pa.gov.
