Fall is quickly approaching, and while we're not quite there yet, it may be worthwhile to start planning ahead! One great fall activity in the Seneca County region is Deer Haven Park.
Deer Haven Park is located on the old Seneca Army Depot in Varick, New York. The Seneca Army Depot has been rumored since its creation in 1941 to be a storage location of nuclear weapons during World War II. It was at the very least a military supply base that provided munitions to defend the country.
The Franklin Roosevelt administration built four bases total to prepare for the American involvement in the war. The Seneca Ordnance Depot was created and later named the Seneca Army Depot, where it remained in operation for over 50 years.
Since its closure in 1995, there have been a number of businesses on the property, including Hillside Children's Center. Today it is Deer Haven Park and privately owned. Due to the lack of people and movement, in addition to the fenced in area built in the 1940s, white deer and a lot of other wildlife including bald eagles and beavers have thrived.
Attractions at Deer Haven Park
History
Half of the fun at Deer Haven is the history! It's a fascinating sight to see all of the buildings that have sat vacant for years and the overgrowth and wildlife that has taken over. There are different types of tours you can take:
- The auto tour (you pay at the Visitor Center and use an app that gives you a guided tour as you drive yourself along the marked trails inside of the park, but you must stay inside your vehicle at all times)
- The group/bus/guided tours where a tour guide that works for Deer Haven drives you throughout the park, stopping at places throughout to explain them, look out for white deer, and at times stop to let you out!
If you take the guided bus tour, you're able to stop at some of the buildings and sites to check them out! One of the first stops along this tour are the "igloos." These were rounded buildings used to store different types of ammunition, and built in a way to explode upwards instead of outwards if there was an attack, or a mistake made with the supplies being stored. Much of the explosive powder was stored in silk bags to prevent static or ways for the powder to blow up.
The igloo has a heavy door constructed to release a vent to create airflow out of the structure in case of a fire. Some of these are no longer closed, and wildlife, including deer, will lay under the vent to feel the cool air on a hot day if they're open.
Inside the igloos, there are old signs taped to the walls with instructions on how to handle and care for the weapons and ammuntion stored inside of the structures. These paper, taped signs have remained inside the buildings since before the military base closed. The walls have old lettering written on them and were once used as a way to organize the items stored inside the igloo. No matter the temperature outside, the buildings are all a cool 60-something degrees at all times! The buildings are also covered in trees and grass, but before 1995 everything was just grassy and maintained. All the trees and forests have grown over the last 30 years, and now they cover the buildings. By growing grass over the tops of the igloos in the 1940s and onward, the military was able to "camoflauge" the buildings from enemies flying over it.
In addition to stopping and checking out these buildings, the guided group tours also allow you to stop and see their fallout shelters! These were designed similarly to the igloos out of sturdy materials and covered by grass to hide as well. The idea was that during an attack or explosion, military could hide in the closest shelter and remain safe from debris. There are multiple shelters spread out throughout the military base, and many are still being found as they continue to maintain Deer Haven!
Nature and Wildlife
While the military base and its history are an interesting part of the tour, it isn't the only part. While riding the bus, the tour guide and passengers are always on the lookout for white tailed deer! They can be running down the road, hiding in the trees, or standing out in the open field. They often run when they see the bus, so it's a good idea to keep your eyes peeled! The chances of seeing at least one are high because there are so many, hence the name "Deer Haven" Park.
Photo Courtesy of Madden Media
Aside from the white deer, there is so much more wildlife. There are brown deer, bald eagles, many types of birds, and beavers. In fact, your guide will show you not only where to spot the bald eagles nest, but you may get to stop and check out the beaver dam! While this isn't always a guarantee, more often than not they'll stop to let you see. Because they're beavers, they're great at flooding the road where their dam is, causing disruption at times. Deer Haven has a wooden bridge built to take visitors across to see the beaver dam up close and personal! You may even get lucky and spot a beaver!
Upcoming events at Deer Haven
To get in the spirit and ready for fall, consider attending the Deer Haven Park Fall Festival and Craft Fair!
This festival is a family friendly, fun event happening on Saturday September 28th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event is the same weekend as the infamous Dog Show happening up the road and Sampson State Park, and is a great place to take a break and bring the kids for fun! This event is sponsored by Community Bank NA and Wegmans.
This year the festival and craft fair are bigger than they've been in past years. Artisans from around the state will be there, along with a live raptor show, live chainsaw carving demonstrations, past era military vehicle displays with presentations, Civil War camp demonstrators, discounted open wagon and climate-controlled bus tours, food, raffles, wine tastings, a bounce house, and much more.
Schedule:
- 10-4 Craft Fair
- 10-4 Bus and Wagon Tours depart
- 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. Chainsaw Carving
- 12 p.m. Live Raptor Show
- 1 p.m. Raptor Meet & Greet
Final note
If you want to learn more about the history of the base, and the white tailed deer, check out Beyond the Fence by author and Deer Haven tour guide, Dee Calvasina!
