By 1808Delaware
It’s a unique and fun way to do a Delaware County Halloween. Kids will be heading into the woods on October 18 with a trail full of characters and several reasons to linger after the candy bag begins to fill. Preservation Parks of Delaware County will hold its Trick or Treat Trail on Sunday, October 18, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Gallant Woods Park, 2151 Buttermilk Hill Road in Delaware.
The event is free, open to all ages, and designed as a drop-in program. Families may arrive at any point during the three-hour window, but the activities end at 4:00 PM. Review the official event listing.
More Than A Candy Walk
Sure, candy will be plentiful, but children are also invited to wear costumes and collect treats from characters positioned along an enchanted nature trail.
The afternoon also includes pumpkin decorating, a hayride, encounters with what the park district calls “creepy critters,” and voting for a favorite scarecrow. The event page does not list an admission charge or advance-registration requirement. That combination lets families decide how much of the program fits their afternoon. Some may come primarily for the trail, while others can add the hayride, pumpkins, animals, and scarecrow display without buying separate activity tickets.
Two Sides Of Buttermilk Hill Road
The program extends beyond Gallant Woods. Visitors also are invited to cross the road and explore Gallant Farm, the park district’s real-life representation of a Depression-era farm.
A quarter-mile connector trail leads from the woods toward the road and the farm. Families should remember that leashed dogs are permitted on the Gallant Woods trails but are not allowed across the street at Gallant Farm. The two properties create a setting that mixes natural and local history. Gallant Woods contains old-growth woods, meadows, restored prairies, and wetlands. The 232-acre park opened to the public in 2005 after Charlotte Gallant donated 83 wooded acres and other land was acquired to enlarge the preserve.
Visitors can find current park hours, trail descriptions, and site information on the Gallant Woods Park page.
A Firm Ending At 4:00 PM
Because the event is drop-in, families do not have to arrive precisely at 1:00 PM. The park district does emphasize that the program ends at 4:00 PM, so a late arrival will leave less time for the trail and the additional activities. The official listing does not provide a rain plan or describe event-specific parking arrangements. Visitors should check the page again before leaving home if the weather is uncertain or if organizers post updated instructions.
For one afternoon, Gallant Woods will ask young visitors to notice more than the next piece of candy. A walk through the park can also lead to a hayride, a farm, an unusual animal, or a scarecrow that earns the family vote.
Photo: Preservation Parks
