“Family-Friendly Woodland Trails” is the theme of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association’s 21st Annual Hike-a-Thon. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 26th at Doc Griffin Park located at South Fourth Street and Elm Street. The public is invited to join the JWA for an informative half-day program that begins with registration at 9:30am, followed by a short presentation by JWA Executive Director Larry Smith at 10:00am. At 10:45am, hikers will have an opportunity to choose between two hikes.
Hikers may wish to take a slower-paced, narrated hike led by JWA Executive Director Larry Smith. Hikers will proceed up to the Peter Britt Gardens and on to the Sarah Zigler Trail. Here, hikers will begin an informative hike traveling along the Sarah Zigler Trail through to the Rich Gulch Trail head and circling back to the Historic Marker noting, “Where Gold was First Discovered.” From there, hikers will return to Doc Griffin Park for lunch.
For those desiring a more challenging and fast-paced hike, JWA Board member Kandee McClain will lead a hike leaving from the Peter Britt Gardens. It will traverse the Sarah Zigler Trail, Jackson Forks Trail, Rich Gulch Mining District, Chinese Diggings Trail, Beebe Woods and Woods Grove areas before returning to Doc Griffin Park. This hike is approximately 4 miles in length and should take about one hour to complete.
Jacksonville Woodlands Association 2013 Hike-a-Thon
Photo: Jeanena Whitewilson
Following the hike, a picnic lunch will be provided by Dr. Jason and Jacqueline Williams of the Jacksonville Chiropractic Clinic. At Doc Griffin Park, ever-popular custom coffee mugs crafted by Jacksonville artists Ray Foster and Warren Straus will be offered for sale. Complimentary coffee will also be provided by The Good Bean.
As the Jacksonville Woodlands Association celebrates its 25th year advocating for the Jacksonville Woodlands, it wishes to extend appreciation to its members and the community for its support. For this year’s Hike-a-thon, the $15 donation fee will be waived. So, please come with family and friends to help us celebrate 25 years as the lead sponsoring organization of the Jacksonville Woodlands.
By spending the day in the Woodlands and enjoying the scenic beauty of Historic Jacksonville, you will be helping the JWA preserve the natural and cultural history of Jacksonville. 100% of all money raised at the event will be used to continue preserving Jacksonville’s rich history and heritage. While the Hike-a-thon donation fee will be waived for this year’s event, donations are always welcome and appreciated.
Jacksonville Woodlands Association 2013 Hike-a-Thon
Photo: Jeanena Whitewilson
The JWA encourages you to pre-register to help us anticipate the number of people who will be attending and having lunch. Please register in advance by sending your registration forms to the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, P.O. Box 1210. Jacksonville, Oregon 97530. For more information on the event, please contact Larry Smith at 541-899-7402 or email info@jvwoodlands.org.
Since 1989, the Jacksonville Woodlands has preserved 290 acres of historic woodlands formed from 22 land parcels and has developed 16 miles of hiking trails, all within the Jacksonville Woodlands Historic Natural Park and Trail System. Our thanks go to our supporters and members for helping to preserve Jacksonville’s historic woodlands. If you cannot attend this year’s Hike-A-Thon please consider sending a tax-deductible contribution to the address above.
For more information, please visit the JWA website at jvwoodlands.org.
Posted March 27, 2014