BELLVUE, Colo. – Lory State Park will host its Fourth Annual Ice Cream Social fundraiser on Monday, Aug. 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Soldier Canyon Picnic area, to help raise money for the independent non-profit group, Friends of Lory State Park. The event is free and open to the public, although a minimum donation of $5 per individual or $15 per family is requested.
Entrance to the park is FREE that day in celebration of Colorado Day, the anniversary of statehood granted on Aug. 1, 1876. Fees for camping and other activities will still be in effect.
“Colorado Day is an opportunity for everyone to get outside and enjoy the diverse natural beauty and recreational activities offered at Lory State Park, and to support a group that has done so much for the Park,” said Larry Butterfield, Park Manager. “Our Friends group volunteers to organize and help with events, work on trails, fundraise for special projects or the purchase of needed supplies or materials. They are a valuable resource for the Park.”
This year’s event will include a live presentation by the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, spotlighting their Educational Ambassadors, live birds that inspire audiences to recognize the beauty and importance of raptors, as well as their place in the natural world. RMRP volunteers will talk about the habits and habitat of raptors and how the rehabilitation program works to nurse injured birds back to health and, when possible, return them to the wild.
In addition to raptors, ice cream and the natural beauty of Lory State Park, kids can learn about the Park’s Junior Ranger Program and enjoy playing one of several outdoor games, such as “Migration Mayhem,” a fun activity that teaches young people about migration and the hazards birds face during their seasonal journeys.
Through the Skins and Skulls, Scat and Tracks exhibit, families can learn about wildlife native to the Park, their adaptations, habitats and other ecologically important animal characteristics, and have the unique opportunity actually handle various mammal pelts.
The Friends of Lory State Park (FoLSP) is an independent, non-profit 501(c) (3) membership organization dedicated to promoting community stewardship of the Park’s natural areas, resources and wildlife. Founded in 2012, the Friends group serves as a supportive entity, assisting with volunteer projects, outreach, and raising private funds for Park projects not covered by the Park’s budget. For more information, visit www.loryfriends.com.
Lory State Park, located in beautiful Bellvue, Colo., offers visitors a variety of rugged terrain and the stunning vistas of the northern Colorado Front Range. The park covers almost 2,600 acres and features 26 miles of trails that lead through forest, meadows and rock-outcroppings, offering visitors great terrain for mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, bouldering, and horseback riding. Additional information on Lory State Park is available at: www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Lory.
CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state park fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 42 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW’s work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
