Several hikers took advantage of the spring weather to join Park District Executive Director Christine Craycroft on a tour of the Breakneck Creek Preserve in Ravenna Township on April 6, 2014. This property is usually closed to the public because even though it was acquired in 2002 with grants and donations, the Park District doesn’t have the funds yet to operate it as a park.
Visitors enjoyed the beaver ponds, spring birds, bullfrog tadpoles, and early wildflowers. The 66-acre property with Breakneck Creek running through it will be a site for fishing access as well as nature education. Long term plans include a trail linkage to the Portage Hike and Bike Trail that now ends at Dix Stadium.
More Spring Hikes Not Yet Open for Public Use
April 27
Morgan Preserve (parking lot on Nicodemus Road approx. 1/3 mile east of SR 44, Shalersville): 504 acres of high quality woods, fields, stream and wetlands.
May 4
Franklin Bog Preserve 6918 SR 43, Franklin Twp.: 58 acres of woods, kettlehole lake and sphagnum bog; Franklin Township.
Both hikes are scheduled for 2 pm and will count in the 2014 Wild Hikes Challenge commemorating the “Year of the Salamander.”
To participate in the Wild Hikes Challenge, participants must walk eight of the designated trails before December 1, 2014, to earn a locally made hiking stick and 2014 brass tag. Info on the 2013 Wild Hikes can be found HERE with updates for this year’s hikes coming soon.
For more information and to find out about other properties, call 330-297-7728 or visit the website.