For the second year in a row, the Miami-Erie Canal Corridor Association (MECCA), the St. Marys Kiwanis Club and the New Bremen/New Knoxville Rotary Club are sponsoring an expanded version of the “Walk With Nature.” Numerous historical markers will be placed along the trail during the day and volunteer bus drivers from the St. Marys City Schools District will shuttle hikers to various locations along the trail. There will also be volunteers stationed at locations along the trail to answer questions and provide historical descriptions.
“We expanded the hike last year, and it was a big success,” said event chairman George Neargarder of the St. Marys Kiwanis Club. “For many years we have had the Walk With Nature between St. Marys and 40-Acre Pond, while the New Bremen/New Knoxville Rotary Club has been sponsoring a walk from Lock Two to St. Rt. 219. With the help of MECCA, we combined the two walks last year, and this year we’re expanding to the Minster Community Park to include the Minster/New Bremen Walk Path.”
The walk should feature something for everyone. Between New Bremen and St. Marys there were 13 locks constructed, and many are still visible along the trail. Lock 8, just north of St. Rt. 219 is one of the better preserved canal locks in the country.
Nature lovers will enjoy the walk north of St. Marys where the towpath divides the canal and the St. Marys River for a few miles.
Bus stops will be set up at five locations along the canal: The Minster Community Park, Lock Two; St. Rt. 219; Memorial Park in downtown St. Marys; 40-Acre Pond. Buses will shuttle to and from each stop at regular intervals and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. St. Marys School Buses will be used between Lock Two and 40-Acre Pond, while a private bus service has been hired to shuttle hikers between Minster and Lock Two. Walkers starting at Minster and hiking past Lock Two will need to take the bus back to Lock Two and then connect on to the Park.
Neargarder said the best places to begin the hike are St. Marys Memorial Park, Lock Two and Minster Community Park because there is plenty of parking at those locations.
“You can hike north or south, depending on how far you want to go and what you want to see,” Neargarder said. “The buses will take you back to your original starting point.”
There will be registration points and information at Minster Community Park, Lock Two and Memorial Park.
In case of heavy rain, the event will be cancelled.