Letter to the Editor: Discover the 5-Bridges Trail and Ridge Trail
To the Editor:
Waukon has a beautiful city park. During this pandemic the park has given many people an outdoor space for walking, exercising their pets and enjoying nature. A slightly unknown area across Eleventh Avenue SW is a loop hiking trail one mile in length known as the 5-Bridges Trail. The area is for walking, running and just treasuring the wild beauty of the area which is known for the five bridges that cross the west fork of Paint Creek and one spring called Fox Spring.
The half mile 5-Bridges Trail becomes the Ridge Trail which is the last half of the mile loop. The 5-Bridges Trail and the Ridge Trail converge at a public parking lot just off Thirteenth Avenue SW. This street leads to the State Highway Facility. Traveling south on Ninth Street SW. Turn left on Thirteen Avenue SW, you will see the parking lot.
The first part of 13th Avenue SW is a city street which continues as a private road for the DOT.
Walking the trail can be started at the parking lot or on 11th Street where some parking is located overlooking the pond. Just head west along the road to the crosswalk.
The wild flowers were still in bloom last Wednesday and a few monarch butterflies were still in the area. Watch carefully for the self-propagating oak trees in the prairie as they reach for the sun surrounded by weeds and brambles. After several trips I have counted over sixty trees. See how many you can locate. Don’t be surprised if you see a deer or two. One has twin fawns. If you hike the area early in the morning a red fox may be around to greet you. In a wide open space, where a prairie struggles to keep its identity, several species of birds frequent the plants and tall grasses. Pay attention to the coolness by the stream and the warmer temperature on the Ridge Trail.
Stop to listen to the sounds of nature, the wind in the trees, the babbling sound of the stream and the songs of birds. With time you will come to appreciate this special place in our park.
Joe Cunningham
Waukon
