Recently, the annual Wicked Woods event at Green Lakes State Park received Central New York and New York state level recognition as the winner for the “Special Event” category in the 2016 Central New York Recreation and Park Society awards ceremony and the 2016 New York State Recreation and Park Society awards ceremony.

Wicked Woods is put on as a joint effort from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and recreational organizations in the town of Manlius and the villages of Fayetteville, Manlius and Minoa.

This event is just one of many that are provided throughout the coverage area of the Eagle Bulletin. Throughout the year, local recreation departments put on fishing derbies, Easter egg hunts, summer recreational programming, holiday events and special events that can provide countless hours of family-friendly activities at a free or very affordable price.

We’re also home to superb park and nature site facilities; Canal Landing Park in Fayetteville; Green Lakes State Park; the Butternut Creek Trail in DeWitt; the Old Erie Canal State Park; Mill Run Park in the village of Manlius; Clark Reservation in Jamesville; and many others.

Although many of these events and facilities are already often used and attended by residents living in and out of the area, we want to remind and encourage people to utilize the treasures we have right in our backyard, and to show appreciation and thanks to the municipalities and community organizations that upkeep and make additions to them so our families can continue to enjoy them for generations to come. We also want to remind people to be respectful to these facilities by cleaning up litter and ensuring the rules at each location are being followed.