Hit the trail with annual Fall Hiking Challenge

Wooster Memorial Park has a lot to offer the community year round. Currently, along with a series of upcoming guided walks and events, the Friends of Wooster Memorial Park is gearing up for the eighth annual Fall Hiking Challenge, which will run from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30. The park also is available for groups needing an accessible path to explore the park.

The hiking challenge was started in 2017 as a way to get people out to the park and to promote joining the Friends of Wooster Memorial Park. It is suitable for all ages, abilities and fitness levels.

“Autumn is a beautiful time to get out and enjoy the park,” hiking challenge coordinator Emily Speelman said. “With trails ranging from paved ADA-accessible paths at the Kenwood Acres area to primitive, hilly trails with creek crossings, there are ways for everyone to get out and enjoy nature.”

The Friends of Wooster Memorial Park is a nonprofit working with the City of Wooster to support the park. New members are always needed. Sign up online at https://www.friendsofwmp.com/membership.

The website says, “At only $10 per year (per adult), Friends of Wooster Memorial Park members will receive information about FWMP activities, may vote at the annual meeting, and have the satisfaction of helping support a unique, local natural area.”

Signing up for the hiking challenge will include a one-year membership.

There are two ways to participate in the Fall Hiking Challenge: complete the challenge in 10 miles and receive a pin or continue and hike 30 total miles and also receive a “Super Hiker” magnet.

The pin highlights a different plant or animal found in the park.

“Every year the pin changes, so it’s fun to collect them all,” Speelman said. “This year we are highlighting the four-toed salamander, which has just recently been found in the park.”

The magnet features a different trail each year. This year it will highlight the Outer Trail.

To sign up for the challenge, find forms online at https://www.friendsofwmp.com/fallhikingchallenge or find paper forms at the park kiosk while supplies last.

Participants will use their hiking form to keep track of miles hiked. “To calculate mileage, you can use either the park map at any of the three kiosks at the park, or you can use an app on your phone or smart device,” Speelman said.

Once hikers have logged their goal, the form can be turned in at any park event.

There is a paved portion of trail at the park that is available for everyone and is accessible for individuals with mobility issues and assistive devices and families with strollers.

“The Kenwood Acres addition to Wooster Memorial Park is just under 1 mile of paved trails,” said Shelley Shrier, a member-at-large on the FWMP board. “The trails wind through forested areas with overlooks from which walkers can (access scenic views). The trail also traverses through a prairie and a developing forested area. The prairie and 8,000 trees were planted as part of the development of Kenwood Acres.

“If a group wants to make arrangements for a hike that is led by a FWMP member, contact us through our email at friendswmp@gmail.com. We would love to help out.”

Recently, a group of nine residents from the Wayne County Care Center hiked the trail with assistance from park volunteers.

Bicycles, skateboards and any motorized vehicles are not permitted. Leashed dogs are allowed. Find Wooster Memorial Park online at www.woosteroh.com/parks/wooster-memorial-park. Find the Friends of Wooster Memorial Park online at www.friendsofwmp.com/ and on Facebook.

Upcoming hikes and events at Wooster Memorial Park include the following:

—Trail Sampler Hike on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m. Celebrate the first day of fall by traversing parts of 10 different trails including the newest Ostroski Trail for just under 4 miles starting at Kenwood Acres. Be prepared for four Rathburn Run crossings.

—Fall Foliage Foray on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m. Fall leaf colors should be peaking.

—Campfire on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6:30-9 p.m. There will be no moon visible this evening so come for a display of the autumn stars.

—Mileage Maximizer Hike on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Go 6 miles through the northern reaches of the park. Expect a steady pace with stream crossings and up to a three-hour hike.

—Day After Thanksgiving Hike on Friday, Nov. 29 at 1:30 p.m. Work off that Thanksgiving dinner and get some fresh air. This will be a moderate hike and distance.

—Year End Hike onSaturday, Dec. 28 at 1:30 p.m. End the year on a positive note with a moderate hike and distance.