Trail Talk – April 2025

WITH ANOTHER merry spring upon us, we’re wise to consider the simple message from Melanie Safka. She writes, “sometimes when we feel as big as the land and we lie back with the velvet hill in the small of our back and our hands are playing in the sand, and our feet are swimming in water of the rivers that are givers to the sea.” This message is one as we stand in awe of this world we’re a part of; this world we should get out and enjoy at every opportunity. Spring is that time when so many of us venture forth after the brittle winds of winter have lessened their grip. That time when the sucking mud of the saturated soils has again hardened into a gentle tread that welcomes each footfall before the choking dust of our dry summers chases us to cooler locales. Yes, Spring is that wonderful “shoulder” season, our Goldilocks time of year that’s neither too hot nor cold, neither too hard nor soft, when things are “just right.”

So, it’s time to be out and about. And it’s time for some gentle reminders of things to consider as one ventures forth onto our local trails. As always, be respectful of others and follow the “rules of the road.” City ordinances ask that we stay on developed trails, that we obey the citywide park speed limit of 10mph, that wheeled users always yield to those on foot. Trails have been marked as multi-use, as hiker-only, and as biker-only. These are simple rules and guidelines to follow.

E-bikes and other motorized vehicles are not welcome on single-track. Care should always be taken to avoid damaging trails, particularly in Spring, when treads are still softened by rainy weather. Unlike other local municipalities, Jacksonville has been able to keep trails open year-round; careless usage of trails could change this policy. While vandalism has been generally non-existent, a recent incident in the Woodlands reminds us that lawbreakers are out there. Our vigilance in our local parks goes a long way in deterring such activity. Speak up. These trails belong to you.

Once again, we’d like to remind park users of the free Avenza map app for cell phones. It’s downloadable from the city website and is the most accurate and updated map software regarding the local trails. Did we mention that it’s FREE? And again, we’d like to mention the “Bench Challenge” in Forest Park, where visitors are asked to find their way to each of the over 50 (a few more are coming) benches and to jot down a simple “I was here” message in the notebooks located there. (Shirley has asked that we write on both sides of the pages to save paper.) Information about the benches can be found at parking area kiosks and most benches are delineated on the official (Avenza) park map.

It’s Spring, folks! Time for walkabout. Park that tired steed and venture forth to a waterfall, a hillside overlook or to a quiet fern-filled glen.