Activities & Initiatives

Activities

Nichols Park Pond is central to both downtown Spencer and the Spencer-Van Etten Middle School—making it the perfect place for people of all ages to engage in outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, nature walks, and more.

What to do at Nichols Park

  • Walk / Hike / Bike

    Enjoy a walk around the entire pond on the newly renovated path. Just be sure to share the pathway with others!

  • Fish

    The pond is stocked with many fish including bass, perch and bluegills—so bring your fishing pole and see what you can catch.

  • Commune with Nature

    If you relish animal sightings and bird watching, then you’ll enjoy seeing the wildlife that the pond attracts—especially during migration season.

  • Kayak and Canoe

    Get out on the 8-acre pond and enjoy some time on the water kayaking and canoing.

  • Relax

    Just take the time to enjoy the surroundings. We have many benches and lawn areas to enjoy.

  • Visit the Farmers Market

    During the summer and early fall, visit the Farmers Market by the pond every Saturday from 9AM - 3PM.

Meet Our Fish

  • Largemouth bass

    Micropterus salmoides

  • Yellow perch

    Perca flavescens

  • Chain pickerel

    Esox niger

  • Brown bullhead

    Ameiurus nebulosus

  • Sunfish

    Lepomis sp.

  • Crappie

    Pomoxis sp.

  • Golden shiner

    Notemigonus crysoleucas

  • Catfish

    Ictalurus sp.

Meet Our Plants

  • Eastern hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis

  • River birch

    Betula nigrans

  • Sugar maple

    Acer saccharum

  • Swamp rose

    Rosa palustris

  • Ninebark

    Physocarpus opulifolius

  • Purple coneflower

    Echinacea purpurea

  • Common milkweed

    Asclepias syriaca

  • Swamp milkweed

    Asclepias incarnata

  • Buttonbush

    Cephalanthus occidentalis

  • Staghorn sumac

    Rhus typhina

  • Red osier dogwood

    Cornus sericea

  • Elderberry

    Sambucus canadensis

  • Box elder

    Acer negundo

  • Blackcap / Dewberry

    Rubus occidentalis

  • Virginia creeper

    Parthenocissus quinquefolia

  • River grape

    Vitis riparia

Nichols Park Pond Nichols Park Pond

Spencer Picnic

Spencer Picnic draws a crowd around Nichols Park Pond every year.

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Nichols Park Pond Nichols Park Pond

Farmers Market

Come visit the Spencer, NY Farmers Market, which is open on Saturdays from 9AM-12PM from June - October.

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Help us keep Nichols Park Pond beautiful and clean. Pick up and dispose of any trash properly, join our volunteer days, and become a member of our Beautification Committee.

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