SADDLE UP FOR A SCENIC TRAIL RIDE THROUGH OUR BEAUTIFUL
PENNSYLVANIA WOODS AND ALONG THE LAKE ERIE SHORELINE.
W
e love our horses. We love to explore as
our trusted equines travel along trails,
meadows and lake cliffs to places offering
the beauty of nature with its soaring eagles and sun-
swept meadows. Whether enjoying the bridle trails
alone or with a herd of adventurous friends, here
are two perfect places in West County to explore on
horseback.
Another loop you might choose for a trail ride is
a 7-miler. Head out of the park to the right then take
the first left, a dirt road that crosses railroad tracks.
Turn your horse to the right onto Ellis Road, which
continues straight and becomes Lynch Road. You’ll
cross another set of railroad tracks before reaching a
stop sign. Turn left and cross railroad tracks again. Take
the first right and head back to the park.
You’ll pass a section of stately pine trees lining the
RACCOON PARK
road and a sign announcing an early successional
Raccoon Park in East Springfield is a 195-acre
habitat restoration project funded by a number
park that lies along the Lake Erie shoreline in East
of state and national organizations, including the
Springfield and provides visitors access to Raccoon
U.S. Department of Commerce, the Coastal Zone
Creek. An enormous parking lot allows plenty of
Management Program, the PA Department of
space to park horse trailers and unload. Adjacent to
Environmental Protection, and the Ruffed Grouse
the lot are pavilions, restrooms and a playground for
Society.
your use before or after your ride.
Dr. M.C. Anderson, leader of the Horsin’ Around
The well-maintained, wide
Turning right out of the park on Old Lake Road
4-H
Club in West County, has been organizing
trails at Pleasant Ridge Park in
group trail rides at Raccoon Park for years. “What
heads you along numerous dirt roads that intersect Fairview Township offer a safe
and circle around for whatever length trail ride you and scenic ride through woods a spectacular place to horseback ride,” she exclaims.
for horse lovers. Photo by
“The dirt roads are accessible, low-traffic, and follow
have in mind.
Meredith Dreistadt.
the shoreline of Lake Erie with terrific views. There are
For an ambitious 11-mile loop, try this route.
spots where you can tie off your horse and take a refreshing dip in
Turn right out of the park and head west along Old Lake Road that
the lake.”
passes through State Game Lands with a spectacular view of Lake
Anderson recalls one of many charity rides she has organized at
Erie on your right. This 3,600-acre reserve is named in honor of
the park. “We gathered up a group of 4-H kids and saddled up for
David M. Roderick of Pittsburgh who was the Board Chairman of
St. Jude’s Children Hospital,” she says. “All the kids had collected
USX Corporation from 1979 to 1989. An avid outdoorsman, his
donations for their ride so we pooled the money and sent it to the
lifelong interest in conservation impacted environmental attitudes in
kids at St. Jude’s.”
this region.
After your ride and a cool-down in the lake, pull out your picnic
A monument to him was dedicated on July 24, 1991, when these
lunch and settle down at one of the lakeshore picnic tables or in
State Game Lands were officially named the David M. Roderick
one of the pavilions to enjoy the cool breezes coming across the
Wildlife Reserve. The project was made possible through the joint
lake.
efforts of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Richard King
Mellon Foundation, USX Corporation, and Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy.
PLEASANT RIDGE PARK
As you ride along, turn right at the first stop sign, then right again
This beautiful 80-acre wooded park in Fairview is accessible year-
at the next stop sign. Travel the road back to the park, and you’ll see
round every day from dawn to dusk. The multi-purpose grounds
a Wetlands Restoration project underway.
provide recreational activity for biking, running, dog walking,
Meredith Borstorff, Secretary and Zoning Officer for Springfield
horseback riding, and cross-country skiing and sledding in the
Township and horse enthusiast, has been bringing her horses to
winter. The well-maintained trails circle through the woods and
Raccoon for years to enjoy all the beauty of the seasons. “Having
around a central field that is farmed now by Mr. Pacansky.
a couple of hours to bring my horse here is one of my favorite
Mark Gennuso, Supervisor of Fairview Township, feels that this
activities,” she says. “The natural beauty of this area takes on a whole
park is a jewel in the community. “The woods here are magnificent,”
new perspective from a saddle.”
he says. “We have new growth areas as well as old-growth.” Benches
She cautions riders that although all dirt roads are for public use,
are situated throughout the property, inviting visitors to pause for
the hunting trails within the State Game Lands are not. “Though
a moment and gaze skyward through the canopy of hemlock, oak,
it’s tempting to steer your horse from the road to these grassy,
and beech trees.
well-maintained pathways, don’t do it—stay on the dirt roads and
“The township is dedicated to the maintenance of this property
appreciate the woods thick with beech, hickory, and oak trees from
that we’ve owned more than 20 years,” Gennuso says. “We regularly
there.”
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WEST COUNTY
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SUMMER 2019
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