The Sinking Ponds Wildlife Sanctuary is at the end of Pine Street in East Aurora. The best way to find Pine Street is head to the East end of town at the stop light at the corner of Main Street, Pine and Olean. Head North to the end of Pine. Proceed with caution at the intersection with Girdle as you continue on Pine. There is no Stop or Yield sign for the on coming Girdle traffic.
Watch for the Sanctuary signs posted on the old Water Works building. Park near the trail head marked by large sign.
Long told stories of the Sinking Ponds gobbling up Railroad and auto bridges while dogs and people disappeared in the quick sands haunted me growing up just miles from this lovely sight. As a child, the vivid dreams of this haunted place overshadowed my Grandmothers hours spent here birding and sketching.
From my grownup's view I can now see that there really isn't much to this park with its pond and cat tails. Sandwiched between the old Village Water Works and the E.A. Country Club, the beavers have the run of the place and their evidence is everywhere.
Proceed down the main trail. I am guessing from the looks of the place that it is also used by local boys for mountain or BMX bike riding. There are quite a few side trails.
At the first junction proceed straight across and follow the main trail along the shore of the pond. You will soon come across a bench.
From the bench, retrace your steps 34 times. Follow the path that leads up the hill at about 140ø.
Up the hill the trail flattens out and you will come across a very large dead fall on your left, made up of a large trunk and smaller branch, side by side 8 steps off the trail.
Sinking Ponds is tucked in between the trunk and branch and against the trunk about 4 feet back. It is covered by leaves and a round rock.
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