Welcome to the Town of Lockport’s little known park, the Lytle Nature Preserve. William F. Lytle donated this large parcel of land to the Town of Lockport in 2008 for use as a public nature preserve. It borders a section of North Canal Rd, the 4-H fairgrounds (though you cannot access the park from there) and in the northeastern corner comes very close to the boundary of the Town Nature Park on Slayton Settlement Rd. The majority of the property is protected under a conservation easement granted for the express purpose of preserving this natural landscape for future generations. Today the park is mostly unfinished with just a pedestrian crossing from the canal parking lot, a woodchip trail, 2 benches and an elevated walkway over a wetland area. Future plans (pending funding of course) have been proposed for several paths, interpretive signage, more benches and even possibly a gazebo.The Preserve features a variety of ecological communities including: wetlands, grasslands and early succession hardwood forest in addition to farmland.
Preserve parking is at the Cold Springs Road Bridge Parking Lot at N 43° 11.205 W 078° 39.962. From parking, proceed Northeast to North Canal Rd and cross on the marked pedestrian crossing. From here follow the woodchip trail to the Preserve and enjoy a nice nature hike. Park hours are dawn to dusk. Please respect nearby homeowners and their properties and any no parking or no trespassing signs you encounter. This large park would be a perfect place to bring your leashed geo-dog to enjoy a few hours of romping in the countryside. Most caches will be non-traditional as there are far too many easy traditionals in the area and well, we just wanted to be different. Bring your boots and your monkey as our little tree climber placed several of these.