Get Your Pictures Ready for Our Annual Photo Contest
by Paul Mickle, Photo Contest Coordinator
The Friends of Ridley Creek are happy to see another one of the longest running and most popular traditions live on with the annual 2025 Photo Contest. Coming this summer, this event will add to the many beautiful park photographs collected over the years. It is always neat to see the park through the lens of other park enthusiasts. Two decades of past entries can be seen on our website - click on “photo contest” on the left panel. Photos from past contests are also displayed at various public events and make occasional newsletter appearances, as you can see here.
There will be a display of all submitted entries and an award ceremony on Wednesday, June 25, at 6 pm in the ballroom of the Hunting Hill Mansion. Cash prizes will be given for first, second, and third place, and for honorable mention. If there are youth entries (under age 18), prizes will be given for that category.
The deadline for submitting up to 3 photos is Wednesday, June 18, to allow time for judging. Please bring your photos to the park office, which is inside the Hunting Hill Mansion. The hours of the office are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. When the time gets closer to the deadline, we usually set up a box outside the building for off-hour submissions.
You can submit photos as late as Tuesday, June 24 to be displayed, but they will not be eligible for an award. The rules and entry form are available here on our website. Also, flyers have been posted in boxes on the Multi-Use Trail. Please direct questions to photocontest@FriendsofRCSP.org. Have fun and good luck!
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Photo Contest!
First prize - Jenn Walker, December Fog
Second prize - Tom Hooper, Shades of Green
Third prize - Randy Rainville, Ridley Creek and Rock
I walked the MUT on the afternoon of March 18 [2021]. Had the whole loop to myself - just one other walker on the 4.5 mile loop.
The Vernal Pool at roughly mile 1.1 was in full throat with Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs. I've attached a recording (click the play button below to hear.). You could see frogs on the surface, and several balls of mating animals. Also attached is a photo of the sign Gary Stolz made up. (Please click the photo to zoom in and read the vernal pools sign.)
The Spring Peepers remind me of growing up in New Hampshire next to a small swamp. Yes, a source of mosquitos in the summer, but we fished the little stream that ran through it and skated on the marsh when it flooded in winter.
Trail Maps
Ridley Creek State Park hiking trail maps and GPX trail files are now available on our Trail Map page.
The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park organize volunteer trailwork the first Saturday morning of each month, rain or shine. Volunteers have aided in building bridges and erosion controls and taking ou tblowdowns on the trails.,
Trail areas in need are always being identified. Think about joining the fun the first Saturday of each month!
The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park is a nonprofit organization dedictated to preserving, protecting and enhancing Ridley Creek State Park. Welcome to our site! Please take some time to see what we’ve been up to! Volunteers and new members are always welcome!
Would you like to make a donation? Click here to join or make a one-time donation!
