CASSIDY HERMAN
Special to The Leader
Imagine your college having a dedicated area for you to hangout with friends and hold events. Well, Fredonia does.
During the years 1935 and 1936 there was an increased interest in recreational programs. The campus community began to run through ideas relating to outdoor activities.
One of those ideas was the College Lodge. The College Lodge is located at 8067 Route 380 in Brocton, N.Y.
“The lodge is really fun for doing different activities such as a walk through the trees and taking in the nice outdoor scenery,” said Emily Shellenberger, an exercise science major. “If you wanted to have an event there, the space is a perfect open concept to do whatever activity you would like.”
“Getting out into the woods and on the water is fun. Dozens of studies show that being engaged in unstructured activities outdoors improves people’s mental well-being, concentration, grades and increases happiness,” said Jonathan Titus, a professor at Fredonia in the Biology Department.
In 1939, the decision was made to purchase 120 acres of land in Brocton. The science department started work on the land as a biological preserve.
In the two years following, the camp committee planted 28,000 trees. In 1941, the main lodge was built by H.F. Salhoff Lumber Company and volunteers. Over 50,000 feet of lumber was used in the construction of the main lodge. It measures out to be 100 feet long and 56 feet wide.
The main lodge features a 2,800-square foot great room with pine cathedral ceilings, and two wood burning stone fireplaces. The room can hold up to 125 people for lunches and dinners. Larger groups can be accommodated.
The main lodge also has a smaller conference room. This room can be used for smaller meetings or small group related activities. This room can be used for banquets or retreats as well.
“I went there to do an experiment my freshman year when I took Intro to Ecology and Evolution Lab. I went there this past year for a retreat for my sorority, Sigma Gamma Phi,” said Shellenberger.
Kaitlin Battaglia, field hockey captain, said she used the lodge for a field hockey banquet.
“The lodge was very cozy and fun. I’d recommend it because it’s really beautiful up there and we are lucky to be able to have access to it as Fredonia students,” said Battaglia.
The original objective of the lodge was to “promote good health through the medium of the outdoors.” The lodge would be used for freshman camp, alumni summer camps, biological studies, organized sports, individual and group use, skiing, public school programs and science tours.
Titus started walking around the preserve when he started working at the Fredonia. Later on, he started doing research there. He now has 14 forest plots with tagged trees and three deer exclosures. He takes students there; every biology freshman goes there for a lab. The College Lodge Nature Preserve has 15 acres of old growth forest that is unique to the region and is rich in wildlife. Old growth is forest that has never been cleared.
In 1969, the college lodge was deeded to Fredonia Student Association. FSA, according to the Fredonia College Lodge website, “has an obligation to manage the property in a manner most advantageous to the State University of New York College at Fredonia.” FSA has managed the property for over 49 years.
Some years later, in 1975, a proposal for an Environmental Center was made. This included the advocacy for bans on hunting, trapping and snowmobiling on the property.
In 1989, the sleeping lodge was built. It can support up to 90 guests. The year after, there were rope courses rebuilt with 20-plus activities.
From 2005-2009, an outdoor restroom was built. A pavilion near the ropes course was also built. There were gas wells installed for heating purposes in the sleeping and main lodges. An additional 7.7 acres of land were purchased on the corner of Route 380 and Beech Hill Road.
There are many things to do at the lodge. Many students do not know that they are able to use the lodge if they want to. Whether you want to hold an event or just sit by a fire pit, the college lodge could be the place for you to do those things.
If you want to plan an event or make reservations at the lodge, you can contact Katie Thies, who is the special programs manager. If you are wondering about facility or grounds details, you can contact Jason Letersky, who is the resident manager. The information to contact them is on the Fredonia college lodge website, http://www.collegelodge.com.
Although all the additions to the college lodge were important and there are many things to do there, the lands need to be managed appropriately.
“In today’s world natural areas require management. Several non-native invasive species are present and increasing, especially Phragmites and European buckthorn,” said Titus. “These invasive plant species will take over the forests and marsh if not controlled.”
Even though students go up to the lodge to help control these invasive plants, it is hard to do. The land needs more attention by more people. These invasive plant species will take over the forests and marsh if they are not controlled.
“We are working to get the Western New York Land Conservancy to own the College Lodge Nature Preserve lands. This would lead to management and also better scope for activities,” said Titus.