“Hiking Into History” is the theme for the 19th Annual Jacksonville Woodlands Association Hike-a-Thon on April 21
Larry Smith Leads Woodlands Hike
Starting at 9:30 am at Doc Griffin Park, join the JWA to celebrate the Woodlands Trail System! From 10-10:30, an informative program will feature an address by Mayor Paul Becker, comments by Laura Dunwald Gentner of the famous Fritillria Gentneri Lily, an overview of 22 years building the 18-mile trail system and preserving 330 acres of Woodlands, a display and sale of hand-crafted walking sticks by Art Presence, a presentation of three Eagle Scouts’ French Gulch Project, the annual JWA meeting and hike overview. During the overview, JWA Executive Director Larry Smith will honor the memory of Ryan Beavers, a former student of his who passed away last year. Starting at 10:30, during the guided hike portion of the event, a tree planting ceremony will be held at the Rich Gulch Trailhead behind Britt Festivals. Hikers will be among the very first to view a newly-installed Eagle Scout project of period-specific mining displays in the French Gulch trail section. Smith will dedicate the Eagle Scout project which includes Scout Caleb Rayburn’s reproduction of the Petard sluice box, Scout Noah Simdorn’s hydraulic mining equipment installation and Scout Mason Sash’s improved wooden trail access steps.
The famous fritillaria gentneri
At about 11:45, hikers will head back to Doc Griffin Park in time for lunch which is again generously provided by Dr. Jason and Jackie Williams of the Jacksonville Chiropractic Clinic. Hikers and non-hikers are invited to stay for lunch!
100% of all funds raised during the Hike-a-Thon will be used to continue preserving Jacksonville’s rich history for following generations. The program, hike and lunch are offered for a suggested $15 registration fee. The JWA will also offer a re-issued Woodlands T-shirt for $10, ever-popular coffee mugs by J’Ville artists Ray Foster and Warren Strauss and functional and artistic Walking Sticks by Art Presence.
For more information, please visit www.jvwoodlands.org or call JWA Executive Director Larry Smith at 541-899-7402 or email info@jvwoodland.org