Trending
Holiday hike scheduled
for Dec. 19 at Beatty Park
STEUBENVILLE -- A holiday hike is planned for Dec. 19 beginning at 10 a.m. at Beatty Park, 711 Lincoln Ave., in Steubenville's South End.
It will be canceled only if it's raining, according to Flora VerStraten-Merrin of Friends of Beatty Park, who noted, "This is not a walk. It is one to four hikes.
"We will be hiking all four trails so come and hike them all or just one or two," she noted. "The first hike (Red Trail) is up through the park and looping to the cemetery and back and includes crossing the creek (over stepping stones and wood boards). Dogs are not allowed in the cemetery so if you bring your dog, you'll have to wait at the pavilion or near the property line of the cemetery for us to loop back. The cemetery is very serious about the 'no dogs rule,'" VerStraten-Merrin said.
Hike participants will meet at the old caretakers house area.
John Boileigh, naturalist and archaeologist, will be hiking with the group and sharing information along the way concerning botany, history, nature and details about the tree fossil.
At rest stops, VerStraten-Merrin will share "Christmas Past Tidbits" of how the home light kept burning for the soldiers and sailors while they were far from home, beginning with the Civil War, moving to World War I and World War II.
The first stop will be at the last pavilion during the middle of the longest hike. A heater and free warm drinks (coffee and cocoa) along with Christmas cookies will be available for all who attend. Another stop will be at the Old Stone Lodge before the second hiking trail (purple). The third stop will be back at the caretakers house area, and the beginning of the last two short hikes (lots of stairs, orange and yellow trails) before a return to the pavilion for refreshments.
"We are outdoors. This is a 99-acre wooded park with four awesome and distinct trails," VerStraten-Merrin noted. "It will be easy to stay with your family/group and to social distance 6 feet or more. Masks are required where social distancing is not possible."
Families are welcome as long as the children can hike. Only part of the first hiking trail is accessible to a stroller. "Don't let the cold scare you," VerStraten-Merrin said. "Dress in warm hiking layers and hiking boots and join us for some fun."