Chautauqua County residents and visitors alike can take part in the inaugural CHQ Trails Day event at various public trail locations across the county on Saturday, June 21. The day will provide an opportunity to explore more than 250 miles of recreational trails.

In cooperation with the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), the Friends of Chautauqua County Greenways (FCCG) group will host its inaugural CHQ Trails Day on Saturday, June 21, at various locations throughout the county. The day is full of outdoor events for trail users of all types and of all abilities, with each event organized by the various members who are part of the Friends of Chautauqua County Greenways. It will feature group hikes, horse rides, guided canoe/kayak trips, bird walks, group mountain bike rides, and much more.

“This event will showcase the county’s amazing trail networks and will give outdoor enthusiasts a chance to make new connections with individual trail groups and with others who are passionate about the outdoors,” says Jacob Bodway, CCPEG trail coordinator.

Bodway said the CHQ Trails Day is the brainchild of John McCune and Twan Leenders, co-chairs of the FCCG Advisory Board. McCune represents Chautauqua County Rails to Trails, while Leenders represents the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. Together, along with all other advisory board members and other stakeholders, the two have worked for several months to organize and plan this special day for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, whether they be residents or visitors.

Participating trail groups and organizations include: the Boutwell Hill Ski Club, the Chautauqua County Parks Commission and Parks Department, the Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System (CCETS), the Chautauqua Rails to Trails, the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, the Heron Farm & Events Center, and the Western New York Mountain Bicycling Association (WNYMBA).

Event locations include: Boutwell Hill State Forest (Cherry Creek), Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park (Cassadaga), Dobbins Woods Preserve (Ashville), Erlandson Overview Park (Frewsburg), the Chautauqua Gorge Loop Trail (Mayville), Heron Farm and Events Center (Sherman), the Kyle’s Landing Preserve (Sinclairville), Loud Performance (Bemus Point), Luensman Overview Park (Portland), and Prospect Hill Station Trailhead (Mayville).

“It’s going to be a day unlike any other for celebrating our county’s beautiful natural resources, and it is a tradition that we hope will continue for years to come!” Bodway said.

For specific event details and times, visit: ChooseCHQ.com/CHQTrailsDay or see the event listing on CCPEG’s Facebook page.