Because of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, many people began taking walks around their neighborhoods, at parks and on local trails. For many, walking was a way to pass the time, get exercise while gyms were closed and find a sense of peace during a challenging time.
Even though Pennsylvania has now entered the green phase of reopening, many have continued their outings. "I have been enjoying many great walks and enjoying nature since the pandemic started," stated Maria Long, director of the Village Library of Morgantown. "Carsonia Park in Reading is one of my favorite walking places. I love seeing and photographing the ducks and geese. They are so docile, and I enjoy feeding them. It is my go-to spot to clear my head when the most stressful days hit.
"Since I was not able to get to my local gym, walking and hiking became my substitute and one that I have really come to enjoy," she added. "I am hoping to incorporate outdoor programs (at) the library."
Mark Zerr, executive director of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association, which operates Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works near Morgantown, also turned to hiking while his gym was closed. "I like the Horse-Shoe Trail in French Creek State Park," he said. "It runs basically around Hopewell Lake, Hopewell Village and Scotts Run Lake and beyond. Part of the Horse-Shoe Trail runs over to the William Penn State Forest on Buck Hollow Road."
According to http://www.alltrails.com, Horse-Shoe Trail, located near Geigertown, is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking, walking, running and nature trips. "It's a challenge because it is flat in some places and in other places it is hilly and rocky," Zerr added. "It's not such a simple pathway."
Zerr's goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day, which he meets or exceeds on most days. "Since the pandemic started in March, (hiking) was something for me to do," he said. "I felt like it was an (escape). It made life seem like a regular day."
Stuart Wells, who is on the Mission Trip Birdsboro committee, which is currently preparing for its service project later this month, said that he walks on the Thun Trail with his family every day. "I can now go for walks with my wife from our house near the Thun Trail down to the Union Meadows loop and back to Birdsboro," he explained. "We also can walk to Birdsboro's Rustic Picnic Park, where I also take our 11-year-old son to play in Hay Creek on hot days. Sometimes we hike the trails from Route 345 over the hill through the Birdsboro Preserve to the Birdsboro Reservoir and back."
He noted that Berks County is also home to the Hopewell Big Woods. According to http://www.hopewellbigwoods.org, the area offers miles of trails, along with areas to fish, camp, bicycle, rock climb, hunt and go horseback riding. "We are very lucky here in southeastern Berks County in having so many nice hiking spots close by," said Wells. "The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership network of preserves falls under the National Land Trust and has well-organized materials, trail maps and brochures available."
Another activity that Wells has resurrected since the pandemic is mountain biking. "I've also recently gotten back in the saddle of my mountain bike and have been riding the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT). Many years ago, I was an avid mountain biker, and it feels good to get back to it," he stated. "Typically I will ride the SRT up to the Brentwood Trailhead toward Reading or ride down to Pottstown Riverfront Park. I also ride the Exeter Scenic River Trail to the Neversink Mountain trails."
Wells also frequents French Creek State Park, the Antietam and Pagoda trails in Reading, the Crow's Nest Preserve, St. Peter's Village, the Coventry Woods Preserve and the trails at Nolde Forest Environmental Educational Center. "I feel very fortunate that we have such a wide selection of open spaces, parks and trails so close by," he said. "Walking forest trails is incredibly refreshing and centering and helps to bring a feeling of calm."
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