Earl Lawson Town Park

A rather nice, quiet park is located in the Town of Busti. The playground equipment is rather dated, but this is one of the few playgrounds to have a merry-go-round as part of the play equipment. The park also sports a volleyball court with sand, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a picnic pavilion. The water fountain is powered by an old-fashioned hand pump, which children find quite entertaining.




Location:

Lawson Road, Busti, NY

(From Jamestown: take Southwestern Drive (Rte. 45) to the "5 Corners" intersection. Continue straight through the intersection and make a right on Lawson Road. The playground is about 1/2 mile up the road and on the left).

Amenities:

Picnic Pavilion
Playground
Water-pump water fountain
Volleyball Court
Basketball Court
Tennis Courts

Chautauqua Gorge

The Chautauqua Gorge is part of the NY State Forest system and has several trails for hiking, day-use picnic areas, and fire rings. Fossils can be found in the shale lining the river. The shale becomes very slippery in wet areas, so watch small children when hiking in wet areas.




Location:

Hannum Road, Chautauqua, NY. From Mayville, take Rte. 430 west to Hannum Road. Hannum road continues for some distance and becomes a dirt road. To reach the swimming holes, drive to the end of the road and park. The trail is at the end of the road and goes downhill to the river and swimming holes.

Amenities:

Picnic shelters
Fire rings
Swimming holes
Hiking trails
Fossils