Hit the trail and take the Wild Hikes Challenge—just walk 8 of the designated trails before December 1 to earn a locally made hiking stick and brass tag. Hike on your own or come along on the guided hikes led by Park District staff and volunteers. “We have more folks taking the Challenge every year, including young scouts, families, and senior Silver Sneakers groups,” said Christine Craycroft, Executive Director. “It’s a great excuse to get out and explore some new trails, and a good opportunity to learn more about Portage Parks.” New this year is the opportunity for your 4-legged hiking buddies to earn a dog tag for completing the Challenge with you.
This fall’s hiking series also includes the opportunity to see some of the Park District’s properties that are not yet open to the public due to lack of funding. “We’ve been very fortunate working with partners and donors to conserve park land, but we have over 800 acres that we can’t afford to develop and open,” said Craycroft. Two of these hikes can be counted as “hiker’s choice” as part of the Challenge.
September 14, 8:30 am Chagrin Headwaters Preserve (call for directions)*
September 21, 8:30 am Breakneck Creek Preserve (call for directions)*
September 28, 8:30 am Dix Park Trillium Loop
October 5, 1:00 pm Morgan Preserve Nicodemus Road parking lot*
October 12, 8:30 am The PORTAGE Towner’s Woods to Redbrush Road
October 13, 2:00 pm Gray Birch Bog Brimfield (call for directions)*
October 19, 8:30 am Seneca Ponds Swan Loop
October 26, 8:30 am Headwaters Trail going east; SR 700 parking lot
November 2, 8:30 am Walter Preserve (call for directions)*
November 9, 8:30 am Berlin Lake Trail SR 224 trailhead parking lot
November 16, 8:30 am Towner’s Woods Ski Trail
*These hikes count as “Hiker’s Choice”
The Wild Hikes Challenge forms are available at the Park District website, along with maps and directions to the parks. Or call the park office at (330) 297-7728, and “like” the Park District on Facebook for the latest information.