Named for a local conservationist, the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail is a delightful, 3.1-mile (5k) urban trail on the east end of the City of Johnstown. Following the Stonycreek River, the trail begins in Riverside on Michigan Ave. and ends in Hornerstown on Messenger St., near Sandyvale Memorial Gardens & Conservancy. This trail offers beautiful views of the river, abundant bird-life and wildflowers, picturesque Buttermilk Falls and serenity within an urban setting.Trail DescriptionThe Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail is part of a growing urban trail system in Johnstown that currently follows the Stonycreek River from Central Avenue behind an industrial complex to the residential community of Riverside. One of its best features is the 50-foot Buttermilk Falls, located about mid-trail. The Riverswalk is nearly level, and its surface is groomed and easily ridden or walked.

Source: The Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail – Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority

Blacklick Valley Natural AreaGeneral InfoThe Blacklick Valley Natural Area and the nearby Buttermilk Falls Natural Area are the first formally established natural areas in the county park system. These areas are in direct support of the mission of the county park system that includes, “preserving, protecting, and enhancing county lands to improve the health of our people and the environmental health of the county,” so hunting, camping and motorized vehicles are not permitted in BVNA. For more information, check out our extensive interpretive guide.Activities and Accommodations A More Natural Park Experience Natural areas are set aside to protect both typical and unique plant and animal communities and to protect outstanding examples of natural interest and beauty. Facility development at the site has been minimized to protect the site’s natural character.Hiking & Skiing The natural area has three tracts. The Parker Tract, located south of Blacklick Creek, encompasses 300 acres. A small parking area and six miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails have been established and a map is available as a PDF. The Caldwell and Clarke Run Tracts form a contiguous 413 acre parcel, and lie north of Blacklick Creek. These northern tracts are undeveloped and do not contain established hiking trails. The Ghost Town Trail bisects the property about one-half mile east of Dilltown.

Source: Blacklick Valley Park Information | Indiana County Parks & Trails

Blue Spruce Park General Info  Blue Spruce Park is a beautiful 650 acre public park located six miles north of Indiana, Pennsylvania. Indiana County established Blue Spruce Park in 1966, but recreational use of the site first occurred in the early part of the century.

Blue Spruce is the home of the Cummings Dam. An historical marker honoring Bernice Gera, a native of nearby Ernest, PA, is also located in the park. Gera was the first female umpire to work in a professional baseball league. Read more about the park’s history and attractions below.

Activities & Accommodations Hiking & Skiing Blue Spruce features over five miles of trails. The Getty Run Trail is level, wide, and scenic, offering the ideal setting to practice skiing skills. Both sides of the lake are open and gently sloping, creating additional opportunities for beginning skiers. For more challenging skiing experiences, try the Vista Ridge, PCC, and Aspen trails.

A Blue Spruce Park trail map is available here in PDF format, and while you’re getting your hike in, why not do some bird-watching? Feel free to take advantage of our comprehensive Blue Spruce Park Bird List. This list was compiled by Margaret Higbee using data collected by the Todd Bird Club in conjunction with the Special Areas Project sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology.

Hunting & Fishing: Portions of the park are open to hunting, they can easily be found on this map. Most hunting takes place between October and December, but various seasons are open throughout the year. Check the PA Game Commission’s website for a complete list of hunting seasons.  Blue Spruce Park also offers a 12-acre lake stocked with trout for public fishing.Pavilions, Lodge

The park has four pavilions and two lodges available for public rental.  The pavilions seat groups from 35 to 250 people. Blue Spruce Lodge accommodates 100 people and the Lakeside Center  has an indoor capacity of 50 people, with extra seating available on a large deck area. Other features at the park include two playgrounds, a volleyball court, horseshoe court, and areas for games and sports open to everyone. For a better idea of where our facilities are, take a look at our detailed facility map.Master Gardener’s Trial Garden

Also located in the park is the Indiana County Master Gardener’s Trial Garden where visitors can view the latest floral and plant selections from the Penn State Gardener’s Select program. The garden is located near the park’s Lakeside Center.

Source: Blue Spruce Park Information | Indiana County Parks & Trails

Buena Vista Furnace Historic Site General Info This thirty-foot high furnace, once used to produce up to 600 tons of iron a year, now stands unused. It is adjacent to the Ghost Town Trail extension and is open for visitors; though we do ask that for your own safety and the integrity of the structure you do not attempt to climb the furnace.Activities & Accommodations There are currently no facilities at the site, but visitors are permitted to view the furnace remains. In the interest of visitor safety and future preservation of the furnace please do not to climb on the furnace structure. The western facade of the furnace has collapsed and is not structurally secure.

Source: Buena Vista Furnace Information | Indiana County Parks & Trails