By RICK MILLER
CattCoNews&Photos
Rock City Park opened Wednesday for the 22nd year under the ownership of Dale and Cindi Smith.
Dale was welcoming visitors, keeping watch over the gift shop and taking care of last-minute details while Cindi drove to Eldred, Pa. for supplies during the early afternoon.
“I meet a lot of interesting people from all over the world,” Dale said while straightening up a display of tourist attractions from around the region.
How do so many visitors find their way to Rock City Park, the collection of gigantic conglomerate rock atop the mountain along Route 16 before you get to Knapp Creek? After all, it’s been a tourist attraction since the 1890s.
Dale said besides word of mouth by local residents and news articles on the park, the internet has given Rock City Park a big boost.
Search for things to do around Olean, N.Y. and the first thing that comes up is Trip Advisor, which features “The best 15 things to do around Olean (with photos).” Rock City park is right at the top, Dale points out.
“On Tuesday, while we were still getting ready to open, a young couple from Poland came by. We sent them to the Kinzua bridge, the Penn Bradford Oil Museum and the World War II Museum in Eldred.
Rock City Park has a well-stocked gift shop including shelves of gemstones. The park sponsors an annual Gem Show on the first weekend in October.
Dale noted visitors will find better signage along the foot trails through the towering rocks. There are signs which show the names given to many of the rock formations.
“I like to see people enjoy themselves and have a good time while hiking,” he said. “Others come to relax and contemplate life and to be with nature.”
The Gift Shop and display area has a wall devoted to the history of Rock City Park as well as Big Foot merchandise. There’s also a life-sized Big Foot statue outside which many people pose beside.
The expansive flat-topped rocks outside the rear of the gift shop are a regular scene for weddings. Watch your step.
A gate with a Main Trail sign signals the entrance to the trail that winds between rocks. There is a sign Iron Stairs at the entrance. Be sure to ask for a map.
There are 16 rocks that are named with signs like Three Sisters Rock, Old Man of the Rocks, Tepee Rock and Sentinel Rock, the large free-standing rock in the park. You will know when you reach the end and climb the Indian Stairway up a wall of quartz conglomerate. There’s a bench at the top where you can rest.
The park is located off Route 16 south of Olean. There are a series of Burma Shave like signs along the driveway.
Admission at the gift shop is $8 for adults and $5 for youths ages 6-12.
