PANAMA - Sitting on 12 acres and encircled by a one-mile hiking trail, Panama Rocks is its own world of glacier-sculpted towers, passageways, caverns and caves.
Established in 1885, the local natural treasure has been wowing visitors from near and far for generations. Co-owner Sandy Weston said that an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people explore the extensive rock outcropping during each season.
''We get people who come who aren't quite sure, and we don't try to hype it,'' Ms. Weston said. ''But they go in and say that they have not had so much fun as a family together, which is fantastic.''
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Panama Rocks Scenic Park is located at 11 Rock Hill Road in Panama. It will open for the 2010 season on Saturday and will be open every day afterward through Oct. 17.
Submitted photo
The Panama Rocks 2010 season opens Saturday, and Ms. Weston said the park's buildings have undergone extensive upkeep in preparation for opening day. The 150-year-old barn at the park has received new sills, siding and hickory windows, while the 95-year-old recreation hall - originally built as a dining and dance hall - received new supports, sills and a refurbished floor and will be getting new windows as well.
Important to the long history of the park was keeping the original look of the historic buildings, though - something that was done through all the remodeling.
''In all essence, if someone were to come to the park and didn't know, it doesn't look a whole lot different,'' Ms. Weston said. ''But it's a great facelift for the history of the park.''
While the history of the park as a recreation destination dates to George Hubbard, who purchased the land in 1885 and maintained a summer hotel on the property, the geological history dates back more than 300 million years. In the Devonian period of the Paleozoic era, the rocks were sea islands of sand and gravel along the shore of a vast sea that extended west toward what is now Utah. After many millions of years of formation, the present-day rocks were most dramatically affected by a glacier in the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago.
The Panama Rocks are reputed to be the most extensive formation of glacier-cut, ocean-quartz conglomerate in the world. The ridge is approximately half-a-mile long, and it is popular among visitors for many reasons, Ms. Weston said.
''The Internet has been tremendous for us (to get the word out), from people looking for rock climbing or that type to thing, to just nature enthusiasts, or people interested in geology,'' she said.
In addition to nature nuts and families looking for day trips, Panama Rocks also opens its gates to numerous groups of school children, YMCA groups, campers, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts on a yearly basis.
And while people come from long distances to visit the rocks - Ms. Weston said that last year, visitors included people from France and the country of Panama - people from right here in Chautauqua County often find themselves rediscovering the natural wonder that exists so close to home.
''We get people who come year after year, but we also get people who come back and say, 'I haven't been here since I was a kid,''' she said. ''They just forget what's in their own backyard.''
Panama Rocks Scenic Park is located at 11 Rock Hill Road in Panama. It will open for the 2010 season on Saturday and will be open every day afterward through Oct. 17.
Park hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no admission after 4 p.m. Admission for children under 12 is $5, youth 13 to 17 is $6, and adults 18 to 59 is $7. Admission for seniors, military and college students is $6. A snack bar and picnic area is offered.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and no pets are allowed. Unfortunately, trails are not stroller- or handicapped-accessible. For more information about Panama Rocks, call 782-2845, visit www.panamarocks.com or go to Facebook and search for ''Panama Rocks Scenic Park.''
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What: Spring Jam!
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Scharmann Theatre, JCC
Cost: $4, general public; $3, students and seniors; $2, FSA members
The rock ensembles' concert will feature eight bands under the direction of Bill Eckstrom.
For more information, call 338-1187.
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When: Thursday: 6:30 p.m., project time; 7 p.m., business meeting
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Cost: Free,
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For more information, visit www.jasphotoclub.wordpress.com or call 763-9492.
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What: Lara Downes, concert pianist
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St.
Cost: $20, adults; $15, seniors; $7.50, student; free, children 18 and under with paid adult
For more information, call 483-6405.
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What: JCC Choir, Concert Band and Jazz Ensembles Concert
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Scharmann Theatre, JCC
Cost: $4, general public; $3, students and seniors; $2, FSA members
For more information, call 338-1187.
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When: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday
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For more information, call 814-723-4650.
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When: Sunday
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Cost: Free
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