This woodland park is as scenic as it is bountiful. A great abundance of edible and medicinal wild plants and mushrooms makes this a great venue for fall foraging.

Common edible "weeds" such as Asiatic dayflower, chickweed, wood sorrel, and sheep sorrel grow in sunny areas throughout.

The trailsides are full of sassafras and black birch trees, while rocky slopes provide mullein, northern bayberry leaves, white oak acorns, and hickory nuts.

The group will hunt for berries such as the sweet-sour autumn olive (actually a member of the honeysuckle family), and the mild-flavored but colorful partridge berry.

Although the leaves are long dead, the bulbs of ramps (wild leeks) are at their best. They're rampant in the woods, and the "Wildman" will encourage everyone to "take a leek!"

Ramp Bulb

Ramp Bulb

This is the world's best-tasting member of the onion family.

This is one of the best parks anywhere for wild mushrooms, especially if it's rained beforehand. In past years, we found limitless quantities of choice pear-shaped puffballs, honey mushrooms and aborted entoloma mushrooms at this time. Other possibilities include gigantic chicken mushrooms and hen-of-the-woods, oyster mushrooms, pear-shaped puffballs, and the enoki or velvet foot mushroom, which is prized in Japan.

Aborted Entoloma

The umbrella-shaped aborted entoloma mushroom's fungus parasitizes honey mushrooms causing the aborted form (center.) Both forms taste great! Try using them to make Shrimp-free Cocktail!

The 2-hour walking tour begins at 10 AM, Sunday, October 10, in the parking lot by the statue (not by the lake) off Rte. 107.

Call (914) 835-2153 at least 24 hours ahead to reserve a place.