I've Been Everywhere - Parks Edition

by Erin Doane, Curator

Mosaic of the Parks and Recreation exhibit logo
made from photos of Chemung County Parks.      
Created using AndreaMosaic  

This summer I took on the challenge of visiting every single park in Chemung County.  When I started, I thought there were 72. Along the way I discovered a couple more. In the end, I visited 81 parks. My first park was the Catlin State Forest on June 1. My last one was Linear Park in Horseheads two days ago. In between, I got to see an amazing variety of parks within the county. There are tiny neighborhood parks, expansive wilderness parks, amusement parks, boat launches, and memorial parks. Some are very well-cared-for and much-used while other, frankly, are quite sad. I have my favorites but it was definitely worth visiting every single one. In honor of my epic journey, I've borrowed a song from Geoff Mack and re-written it as so many have done before me.

I've Been Everywhere - Chemung County Parks Edition 

I was toting my pack along the Breesport North Chemung road
When along came a family in a Subaru with a camping gear load.
“If you’re goin’ to Park Station, Ma’am with us you can ride.”
And so I climbed into the back and sat with the kids inside.
The dad asked me if I’d seen a park with such natural bounty
And I said, “Listen, I’ve been to every park in Chemung County!”

Chorus:

I’ve been everywhere, man.

I’ve been everywhere, man.

Walked the hills out there, man.

I’ve breathed the river air, man.

Parks, I’ve had my share, man.

I’ve been everywhere.

I’ve been to,

Thurston  

McKinnon   

Nelson   

White Wagon 

Sullivan

Goodwin 

Fawn Acres

Maple Grove

Maple Shade  

Hillview 

Ernie Davis   

Frank A. Rohde  

Gardner Road  

Blandford  

DePrimo

Quatrano   

Pirozzolo  

Community  

Breesport Community  

Sullivanville Dam

Marsh Dam

Hoffman Dam

So here I am.

Chorus

I’ve been to,

Mark Twain Riverfront   

Mark Twain State Park

Patch Park

Teal Park

Brand Park

Grove Park

Sperr Park 

Mill Street Park

Mill Street Pond

Millers Pond

Brick Pond

Hazlett  

Clemens Square

Golden Glow Heights 

Holding Point

Rails to Trails

Lackawanna Rail Trail

Catharine Valley Trail

It can’t fail.

Chorus

I’ve been to,

Oakridge   

Eldridge  

Fitch’s Bridge

Ashland Toll Bridge  

Bottcher’s Landing

Roger Sterling 

Smith Boat Launch

Harris Hill Manor  

Wisner   

Linear  

Draxler

Tanglewood

Plymouth Woods

Catlin Forest

Arnot Forest

Steege Hill

Maple Hill

Harris Hill

Barnes Hill  

There’s more still.

Chorus

I’ve been to,

Banfield  

Minier Field

Town Hall Fields

Baptist Church Field

Newtown Battlefield

Chapel  

Memorial

Pine Circle 

Katy Leary   

Whitney  

Meadowbrook Parkway

Reynolds  

Stoddard  

McCann

Hathorn   

Pulaski   

Magee Street  

Cypress Street  

Sly Street  

East Water Street  

Gaines Street 

Now I’m beat.

I’ve been everywhere, man.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
Walked the hills out there, man.
I’ve breathed the river air, man. 
Parks, I’ve had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.

If you would like to see photos I took of all the parks visit http://cchsonlineexhibits.wix.com/parks#!photographs/c1vit. There are also links from that page to information on the locations and amenities of each park.