'Go Take a Hike' at Edison Woods MetroPark

ouriel@sanduskyregister.comGo take a hike — or a run, sprint, jog, walk or leisurely stroll — in a scenic spot this fall.Scheduled for Sept. 7, the 11th annual Go Take a Hike kickoff event emanates from Edison Woods MetroPark.Sponsored by The Friends of Erie MetroParks, a volunteer organization supporting the district, the kickoff event jump-starts an effort for community members to explore park properties."The whole idea is go get people into the parks," said Kathie Hammond, a volunteer and the event's chairwoman.The kickoff events at Edison Woods MetroPark features many attractions for all participants, including a competitive 5K run, hayrides, family games and free food.Plus Edison Woods MetroPark — the largest contiguous native grasslands area in all of Erie County — also offers extraordinary views of trees, wildlife and nature.This park also boasts the highest elevation point, 750 feet, in all of Erie County.After the event ends, volunteers encourage community members to travel and see various other park properties. Hiking in seven select park properties up until Dec. 7 earns a person, and even dogs, a special prize.The Friends of Erie MetroParks also leave their mark on the property they choose to host the kickoff event.Case in point: Volunteers helped spruce up Edison Woods MetroPark. The group created a 3,600-square-foot parking lot near the entrance about a mile south of Ohio 61.Want to go?• WHAT: Go Take a Hike, an annual Erie MetroParks-sponsored walking program. In its 11th year, this upcoming event features a scenic walk and a 5K run.• WHERE: Edison Woods MetroPark on Mason Road near Quarry Hill Orchards, 8403 Mason Road, in Berlin Heights• WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Registration for the 5K begins at 1:30 p.m.• COST: $15 to run in the 5K, which benefits The Friends of Erie MetroParks group, a volunteer organization. There's no charge to walk.• WHAT ELSE: For free, anyone attending can walk one of the many Edison Woods MetroPark trails; eat pizza and apples; participate in several family activities and games; take a hayride; and ride on a shuttle to and from Quarry Hill Winery.• CONTACT: For more information, call 419-625-7783 extension 221Trail checklistBetween Sept. 7 to Dec. 7, you can hike and explore seven of the Erie MetroParks trails and receive an Arkansas walking stick or a 2014 leather medallion.Dogs can also compete and receive an Erie MetroParks bandana or a leather medallion.Among the parks you can choose from:• Castalia Quarry MetroPark, 8404 Ohio 101, Castalia.• Osborn MetroPark, 3910 E. Perkins Ave., Huron.• East Sandusky Bay MetroPark, on U.S. 6 just east of Sandusky city limits.• James H. McBride Arboretum, 1 University Drive, Huron.• Pelton Park, 800 Pelton Park Drive, Sandusky.• The Coupling MetroPark, 11618 Ohio 13, Milan.• Edison Woods MetroPark, 10186 Ceylon Road (Ohio 61) Berlin Heights.• Hoffman Forest MetroPark, 5313 Huff Road, Berlin Heights.• DuPont Marsh State Nature Preserve, 1805 River Road, Huron.Register photo/JASON WERLING Volunteers pose for a photo Wednesday, August 27, 2014 for the Go Take a Hike event at Edison Woods on Sunday, September 7.Register photo/JASON WERLING Joyce Deering, left, and Brooke Gammie plan Wednesday, August 27, 2014 for the Go Take a Hike event at Edison Woods near the Quarry Hill Orchards on Sunday, September 7.Register photo/JASON WERLING Volunteers walk one of the many trails Wednesday, August 27, 2014 for the Go Take a Hike event at Edison Woods on Sunday, September 7.Register photo/JASON WERLING Volunteers prepare Wednesday, August 27, 2014 for the Go Take a Hike event at Edison Woods on Sunday, September 7. This year's kickoff event is at Edison Woods near Quarry Hill Orchards.Register photo/JASON WERLING Volunteers walk a trail as they prepare Wednesday, August 27, 2014 for the Go Take a Hike event at Edison Woods on Sunday, September 7.