September 29 News Story
Plans Set for Annual Walk With Nature
by ridertown.com
Just over 10 miles of the Miami-Erie Canal Towpath in Auglaize County will be featured on the annual Walk With Nature historical/nature hike Sunday, Oct. 8.
For the third year in a row, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Division of Water), 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 two years ago, and it has been 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 and ODNR we’ve combined the two walks, and opened up a very scenic 10-mile stretch of towpath.”
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 four locations along the canal: Lock Two; St. Rt. 219; Memorial Park in downtown St. Marys; and 40-Acre Pond. Buses will shuttle to and from each stop at regular intervals and will run from 1 to 4:30 p.m. St. Marys School Buses will be used between Lock Two and 40-Acre Pond. If transporation is desired, walkers should plan to arrive at their final destinations before 4:30 p.m.
Neargarder said the best places to begin the hike are St. Marys Memorial Park and Lock Two 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 Lock Two and Memorial Park. Personnel from ODNR will man a special canal display under the St. Marys Utility Building just North of Memorial Park.
In case of heavy rain, the event will be cancelled. |
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