Trails: not just for biking anymore!

Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

For the past month, many of our trail efforts have concentrated on biking events in celebration of National Bike Month. As May draws to a close, we certainly want to keep the two-wheeled momentum rolling, but it’s also a great time to consider the many other ways we can use our miles and miles and miles (68 and growing!) of beautiful trails.

1. Let’s stroll! There’s nothing like taking a walk on a gorgeous summer—or spring or fall or winter—day. Whether fast or slow, alone or with company, a few yards or a few miles, the trails offer beautiful scenery, smooth surfaces, and safe travels. If you’re really feeling good, you can even jazz up your step and break out the dance moves.
2. Beat feet. If you’re too high energy for meandering, pick up the pace and go for a run. Make sure you grab one of the new trail maps so you can check your distance. And once you have the map, why not scope out a section of trail you’re not familiar with and jog over there?
3. Explore. Whether you’re a newbie or if you’ve lived in the Fort all your life, there’s surely a corner or two you haven’t seen—or a perspective from which you haven’t seen it. Rivers, woods, wetlands, fields, parks, (semi) urban jungles, hit the trails to see the city like you’ve never seen it. For a fun project, keep a running list of the wildlife you see. From eagles to frogs to lizards to deer, you might be surprised at the way your list grows.
4. Scavenge! Need a fun activity to keep the little ones busy this summer? Even not-so-little ones enjoy a scavenger hunt. Make a list of things to find and see who can check them all off first. The variations are endless, and no matter how many times you do it, you’ll come back with loads of stories.
5. Life’s a journey, not a destination. The next time you head to the park for a picnic (or downtown, or to the zoo, or downtown, or to the IPFW campus, or…) hop on the trails instead of into your car. Throw your picnic hamper in your little red wagon and make getting there part of the experience.

Have other ideas? Please share them! Comment back to this post or send us an email with your favorite way to use the trails. What’s your favorite path? What interesting things have you seen? What’s on your scavenger hunt list? We want to know!
 

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