So far my favorite place to run is a park I just recently found out about this year. Its practically just down the road from where I grew up, 15 minutes from my folks house. Unfortunately thats in northern NY and a days drive from here. But in my two recent visits I've run there both times, and plan on making it a part of every trip back home to visit.
Robert Wehle State Park, in Henderson NY...
The land was donated to the state upon his passing, and they have turned it into a beautiful (and underused) park. 1100 acres and over 3 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline. Its no Grand Canyon but a wonderful place none the less and so close when I'm visiting the folks. Once the trails split off the main drive they are natural trails... mostly dirt or grass with plenty of stones, sticks, and roots thrown in. I don't have many good natural trails around here, so its like a treat to run on these surfaces and have a nice view. Pictures are from 3 different trips with my cell phone. I wanted to go back with the good camera but
unfortunately weather had not worked out.
Lake Ontario was especially clear on my first trip in May, wish my phone could capture the greens and blues better.
The views were so nice that day.
At the more southern end of the park you could go right out on the rocks and into the lake.
Cooling down and cleaning off quick.
Trail along the shore. Pretty windy that trip with waves crashing into shore.
The northern end features 100-foot high cliffs. Watch your step!
Same cliff as above, but zoomed out to show the trail right along the edge.
Some more of the cliffs. Water was churned up, high, and much more murky that trip.
One of the mud holes, with branches down to complicate matters.
Bees were buzzing all through these wildflowers.
Some more wildflowers.
Some of the non-natural things at the park. There is a cabin and a couple cottages/houses you can rent. Also Wehle was a breeder of dogs, sculptor, and naturalist. I'm not sure if the statues are his own work, but they are of his beloved pointers he bred and training on the land.