Pratt's Falls Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pratt's Falls Park |
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Pratt's Falls
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| Type | Public Park |
| Location | 7671 Pratt's Falls Road, Manlius, NY 13104 |
| Operated by | Onondaga County Parks |
| Open | All year around |
Pratt's Falls Park is a fun county park located in Pompey, New York, United States. It first opened to visitors on July 3, 1934. The park is famous for Pratt's Falls, a beautiful 137-foot waterfall. It also has two covered picnic areas, a large building called Camp Brockway, three hiking trails, and places for archery. You can also find picnic spots and a playground here. Pratt's Falls Park is managed by the Onondaga County Parks system.
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Park History
This land was once home to one of the very first mills in Onondaga County. In 1796, Manoah Pratt, Sr. and Abraham Smith, who came from Connecticut, built a saw mill here. They used it to cut wood until 1798, when it was changed into a flour mill.
Explore Hiking Trails
Pratt's Falls Park has three main hiking trails for you to explore. You can find a map of all the trails online to help you plan your adventure.
- Map of Hiking Trails [1]
- North Rim Trail: This trail is 2.6 miles long and goes through a wooded area. You'll see a small waterfall and cross a stone bridge. It leads into a smaller gorge and passes by a shelter in the woods.
- West Branch Trail: At 1.2 miles, this trail is the closest one to the park's main entrance.
- Falls Trail: This shorter trail is 0.6 miles long and takes you to a great spot to view the main waterfall from above the gorge. It has several stairs and goes past Camp Brockway and the Falls shelter.
Park Facilities
The park offers several facilities to make your visit comfortable and fun.
Picnic Shelters
The park has two covered shelters, called Falls and Woods Trail. Each shelter can hold up to 100 people, making them perfect for group picnics or gatherings.
Camp Brockway Lodge
Camp Brockway is a large, enclosed building located in the center of the park. It was built in 1937 and has a kitchen. This lodge can host up to 180 people for seated events or up to 400 people standing. Its address is 7757 Pratt's Falls Road, Manlius, New York 13104.
Archery Areas
If you like archery, Pratt's Falls Park has two special areas near the main entrance. These areas are 100 yards long and each has six targets. For more experienced archers, there's also a one-mile course with 28 targets.
Other Fun Activities
Besides hiking and archery, you can enjoy other activities at the park:
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular in the winter.
- Geocaching is like a treasure hunt using GPS.
- Orienteering involves using a map and compass to find your way.
