Laura, Matthew and Michael Bollan enjoy the decorated trails. InkFreeNews photos by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — There is still time to put on your walking shows and head out to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Educational Center, SR 13, Syracuse and enjoy the summer-like weather at the 2021 FallTastic Trail Walk.

Witch way to go?

The event, which started at noon continues until 4 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Syracuse. Pets are welcome if kept on a leash.

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.