Marshall "Bud" Andrews Wildlife Park

Quick Bits

Main Activities - Hike, Birding
Distance - 0.1 miles of trails
Quiet - highway noise
Surface - dirt & grass
Elevation - very flat
Pets - leashed
Address - Route 39, Bainbridge, NY

MBAWP Map.jpg

In a Nutshell

A fun pit stop for birders traveling on Interstate 88 in New York. A five minute walk to the observation deck in the middle of 45 acres of wetlands.

Location and Parking

The parking area is small, but since it doesn't get much traffic except in peak birding time, not a problem. Some people walk here from the nearby campground.

More details

This memorial park to honor Maxwell "Bud" Andrews was dedicated on November 1, 1980. A short walkway takes you to a pond and wetland area that can be observed from an observation deck. The Wildlife Park, including the water, consists of 45-acres. A concrete dam maintains water level for the habitat.

I sort of stumbled on this little gem when I noticed it on the map while traveling to work on a section of the Finger Lake Trail system. My first visit then mid afternoon on a rather hot June day, so not too much animal activity. And yet just enough to be very interesting between some turtles and birds.

The preserve is dedicated by the Bainbridge Sportsmen's Club to Marshall "Bud" Andrews, an avid sportsman. Mr. Andrews also served the Villate and Town of Bainbridge for decades. He served as Town Clerk for 41 years, from January 1, 1932 to December 31, 1972. He also held various other government and community roles. In addition to his public service, Mr. Andrews has long been active in Bainbridge community affairs. A long-time Scouter, he was a member and chairman of the committee of Boy Scout Troop 52 for many years. His active membership in the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce covered a period of more than 30 years, and he also was one of the early members of the Bainbridge Sportsmen's Club.

In researching this, I found a different connection. One of Bud and Helen's three children, Bud, Jr. worked for IBM for 32 years holding various management positions in Vestal, Owego, East Fishkill and Endicott. I didn't know him. It looks like he retired maybe two years after I joined IBM and passed in 2011.

The preserve is dedicated by the Bainbridge Sportsmen's Club to Marshall "Bud" Andrews, an avid sportsman. Mr. Andrews also served the Villate and Town of Bainbridge for decades. He served as Town Clerk for 41 years, from January 1, 1932 to December 31, 1972. He also held various other government and community roles. In addition to his public service, Mr. Andrews has long been active in Bainbridge community affairs. A long-time Scouter, he was a member and chairman of the committee of Boy Scout Troop 52 for many years. His active membership in the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce covered a period of more than 30 years, and he also was one of the early members of the Bainbridge Sportsmen's Club.