Among the trail walkers Saturday was this princess, also known as Paige Lane, with her entourage Ashley Lane and Paisley.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Get your yard work done, put on your walking shoes and head out to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Educational Center, SR 13, Syracuse and enjoy the summer-like weather by participating in the 2020 Falltastic Trail Walk.

The walk, which started at noon continues today, Saturday, Oct. 10, until 4 p.m. and will be held again from noon to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 11. The three trails on the WACF property are decorated for the fall season and Halloween. The event is free and open to everyone.

This friendly ghost points the way to the trail.

The groomed trails are easy to walk and can accommodate strollers, walkers and even wheelchairs. The Lake Shore Trail is 1 mile in length and takes about 21 minutes to walk. The second trail, known as the wetland/woodland trail, is only .8 miles and can be walked in 18 minutes. The third trail, named the Center Wetland trail, is .3 miles and its estimated it can be walked in seven minutes.

While the trails are always open to the public to enjoy, the annual Falltastic Trail Walk adds a little extra. Along with the decorations, educational opportunities are available for those who want to learn how animals, birds, insects and other creatures prepare for the winter. Read about wetland plants, the WACF property, test your knowledge about water, about wildflowers, trees on the property, fall and the colors, learn some fun facts about fall and Halloween, see if you can find certain animal tracks.

You can also learn how the wetlands work and what has been learned in the first year of the Wawasee Inlets Nutrient Study.

You can walk on one or all the trails and spend as much time as you want. Make sure to stop in at the Ruddell Pavilion to get a bottle of water and a cookie. If you’ve brought along a dog, there are even treats available for them and an opportunity for them to get some water as well.