About Us
 Located in Millcreek Township in Erie County, PA, Asbury Woods is
a 200-acre tract of wetlands, trails, forests, streams, fields and historic properties. With five distinct natural and recreational areas – Asbury Woods Nature Center, Asbury Community Park, Brown's Farm, Greenway Trail and James Wildlife Preserve – Asbury Woods
is one of the premier environmental centers in northwestern Pennsylvania, providing educational and recreational opportunities to more than 130,000 visitors annually.
Asbury Wood's activities and programs are as diverse as its natural habitats - from hiking and mountain biking in the summer to cross-country skiing and
snowshoeing in the winter. Each year, Asbury Woods hosts more than 90 different public programs, such as nature camps, themed
hikes, gardening classes and barn dances. In addition, annual events such as the Maple Syrup Festival, AutumnFest and Winter Wonderland attract individuals and families of all ages.
A Brief History
Asbury Woods' origins stem from the generosity of Dr. Otto Behrend, co-founder of the Hammermill Paper Company in Erie, who purchased
the 100-acre Asbury Farm in 1920. When Dr. Behrend died in 1957, his estate donated the property, which included a country cottage, to
the Millcreek Township School District for education and recreation.
Soon after, the school district converted the cottage to Asbury Woods Nature Center and the seeds for a natural learning environment were planted. Around the same time, Millcreek Township created Asbury Community Park, renovating Asbury Barn for community use and developing a ball field, tennis courts, picnic shelter and playground on part of the original Asbury Farm for recreational use.
Brown's Farm became the second major component of Asbury Woods when the school district purchased it in the 1980s. Finding the
property unsuitable for school facilities, the district designated the site for outdoor educational and recreational activities.
In 1993, Erie corporate leader Doug James donated 30 acres of wetlands and forest adjacent to Asbury Woods to Mercyhurst College, creating the James Wildlife Preserve. A few years later, the
contribution of two smaller tracts of land along Walnut Creek – in hand with collaborative agreements with the school district, Millcreek Township and Mercyhurst College – enabled the much anticipated
connection of the north and south sections of Asbury Woods.
Asbury Woods receives operating support from the Millcreek Township School District, a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission, and the generosity of our friends, members and donors. |
