Green Light for Upcoming Green Lane Nature Programs

Canvasback duck

Blogger's Note: The following is culled from two press releases from Montgomery County regarding events at the county's Green Lane Park, about 20 minutes from Pottstown.

The park consists of over 3400 acres and three bodies of water totaling 870 acres.

Montgomery County’s Green Lane Park will hold a “Waterfowl Watch” program at the park on Saturday March 3 at 1 p.m. This is a free program, but pre-registration is required.

Tundra Swan

Spring migration of ducks, geese, swans, and other early migrants should be well underway, and the program will give everyone a close up look at the migrants and the migration at Green Lane Park.

Participants in years past have seen 24 species of waterfowl, including Greater White-fronted Geese, Tundra Swans, Canvasbacks, and many more. Binoculars will enhance the experience if you have them.

Green Lane Park has been designated a Pennsylvania “Important Bird Area” by Pennsylvania Audubon. It is one of only 81 such areas in the commonwealth to earn that distinction.

Everyone is urged to meet at the tennis court parking lot at Green Lane Park. Everyone will caravan by car to 2 or 3 other “hotspots” for birding.

To pre-register, call 215-234-4528.            

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Goodies from a previous sugaring program at Green Lane

Montgomery County’s Parks and Heritage Services Department has announced its annual “Maple Sugar Magic” program at Green Lane Park Saturday, March 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..

Parks and Heritage Services educators and volunteers will demonstrate the centuries-old process of making maple syrup and sugar from the sap of maple trees. 

Maple sugaring is a uniquely North American tradition dating back to the 1500’s, and has a prominent place in Native American and early American folklore. 

 Witness the tapping of a maple tree, the boiling process at our evaporator, and learn about the tradition of the “sugaring off” party. Participants will also be able to compare the taste of real maple syrup with commercial pancake syrup.

Maple sap is collected in spring and boiled to make syrup

“This is an ideal family outing,” said Josh Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Help us celebrate our 24rd year of maple sugaring in the park, as our park staff take you through the process from ‘tree to table’.”

The program is offered free of charge, and is appropriate for all ages. Demonstrations will begin promptly at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Scouts and other organized groups are welcome, but call 215-234-4528 first.

The program will be held at the Hill Road Day Use Area, 2821 Hill Road, Green Lane.

For more information on either program, contact Kevin Crilley, environmental education specialist, at 215-234-4528, or email him at kcrilley@montcopa.org.

Green Lane is one of Montgomery County's seven major parks.

Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating (including boat rentals), family and group camping, picnicking, 25 miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking, as well as two children's playgrounds.

Activities include:

Boating - The Hill Road Day Use Area on the Reservoir and Deep Creek Lake have boat rentals. Private boat racks are available at the Walt Road Day Use Area and Deep Creek Lake. See link below for boat rental rates.

Camping - The Deep Creek Lake area offers overnight campsites for family camping and the many recreational facilities such as two tennis courts, two playgrounds and an enclosed pavilion.

Recreation - Recreational activity sites within the park offer a variety of uses. These sites have grills, large picnic areas, fishing and many open fields for a variety of active sports. Wintertime sees the heartier sports of ice skating, cross-country skiing, sledding and ice fishing.

Trails - There are several miles of nature trails that attract hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians to enjoy the natural beauty of the seasons.

Leashed pets are welcome in the park but are restricted from entering any of the creeks or lake waters.

Links to a schedule of summer events, downloadable maps and how to book camping sites and boating trips can all be found at the park's page here.