The park is built near the site of old limestone kilns and limestone quarries, which lend for some interesting sites along the multiple trails in the park. The easiest of which leads right to the remains of the kilns and is flat and well maintained.
The kilns themselves are just a fraction of what they were, but are still impressive. A sign tells hikers about what happened over 100 years ago at the site. It explains how the miners would extract the limestone and bring it down the steep hillside to where the kilns were located. The sign goes onto show what the kilns looked like when they were in operation. It was quite the operation. For those interested in learning more about the limestone mines and kilns, a beautiful model is on display in the visitor center.
Getting away from the historical aspect of the park, there is abundant opportunity to enjoy wildlife or just the wooded area. The Marsh Trail takes hikers along the lake shore on a wooden boardwalk. There is a wildlife viewing blind where quiet observers and spot various birds and waterfowl. A small stream is nearby, and on our hike, we spotted some fish in the crystal clear water.
For those looking for a longer hike, Moore's Hill Trail will take hikers to all the way around the mountain. A second quarry is near the Hartman Trail.
Swimmers will enjoy the beach, and picnickers will enjoy the sunny grassy areas and many tables that are available. There is a boat rental that rents canoes and kayaks. There are also boat launch areas that can be used if you choose to bring your own boat.
All in all, this is a great place to take a hike through history, enjoy a picnic lunch, and soak up some summer sunshine. It only takes a little imagination and creativity to envision what this beautiful area would have been like when it was a booming limestone production area. canoe creek is well worth your time and attention.
As a side note, when I visited here years ago, there was a small church that had been turned into a bat sanctuary. On warm summer nights, visitors would attend a program at the sanctuary, learn about bats, and then watch the ladies (as it is only female bats who live in such colonies) emerge. Sadly, White Nose Syndrome has decimated the bat population, and the nightly program is no more. White Nose is a terrible thing for our bats and our environment, and I strongly encourage you to learn more about it. As any good outdoors person knows, bats eat bugs and mosquitoes, which is good for all of us. Maybe one day the bats will make a comeback and the Sanctuary will be full of bats again.
