Triking Through Ottawa County: Betsy’s Journey to Visit Every Park |
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For many, the idea of visiting every park in a county might seem daunting. But for Betsy, it became an opportunity to combine exercise, exploration, and a deep connection with the natural beauty of Ottawa County. Starting in 2015, Betsy made a bold move to ditch traditional biking for triking, and what started as a solution to balance issues quickly turned into an incredible journey that would take her to every Ottawa County Park. |
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Why Triking?
Betsy made the switch to a recumbent trike, opting for a TerraTrike. Triking gave her the stability she needed, allowing her to enjoy the outdoors without fear of falling. Betsy describes it as “pedaling a recliner around—you can’t go wrong!” It’s a sentiment that resonates with many who, like Betsy, need a more comfortable and secure way to stay active while enjoying nature.The trike proved especially beneficial for people dealing with back pain, stroke survivors, or anyone who prefers to sit while they exercise. It was an ideal fit for Betsy, allowing her to enjoy her rides without the fear of tipping over.
The Park Challenge: A Reason to Ride
In 2018, Betsy set sights on a new goal: to trike every road in Ottawa County. She needed a reason to stay motivated and get outside, so why not turn it into a challenge? Her idea was simple: explore every corner of the county, slowly “coloring in the roads” on a map, all while enjoying the beautiful parks Ottawa County has to offer. The Visit Every Park Challenge gave her not only a new goal to obtain, but also a new way of obtaining her current goal.
Betsy set out when the snow started to melt in the spring. She visited every park in just eight rides. Some rides were short, at 19 miles, while others spanned 55 miles. Along the way, she explored the county’s parks, connected with nature, and met some interesting people.
Click here to read the full article. |
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The Visit Every Park Challenge and other initiatives would not be possible without the support of people like you. Your donation helps us continue to bring people together with nature in meaningful ways. There’s so much more to do, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. |
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Featured Park: Pigeon Creek Park
Pigeon Creek Park is 282 acres with another 130 adjacent acres of County Open Space land. Over ten miles of ski trails wind through old pine plantations, mature deciduous forests and through bottomland forests along the Pigeon River (off-trail snowshoeing is allowed). Ski and snowshoe rental are available during satisfactory snow conditions. There is a also a sledding hill.
Learn more
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Plant of the Month: Chokeberry |
by Bobbi Jones Sabine
Chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia) is a native shrub found throughout our state. It’s found in moist soil in bogs, tamarack swamps, boggy swales, marshes, thickets, and sandy shores. U of M comments, “This must surely be about as widespread a wetland shrub as any in the state.”
It has shiny leaves and juicy black berries which you will find to be very astringent if eaten. They are not generally consumed directly due to the bitter taste, but are used to help produce syrups, juices, jams, fruit teas, and wines. Across the country, there are multiple different species in the genus which are thought to hybridize, with berries ranging from red to purple to black.
Chokeberry fruits have been found to be potentially beneficial to human health, including anti-diabetic, anti-infective, anti-obesity, and antioxidant activities, as well as benefits to the heart, liver, and nervous system.
Native Americans used chokeberry infusions to strengthen the body, protect against disease, help respiratory issues, as a digestive aid, to manage high blood pressure, to promote good circulation, and in a berry soup in some traditional ceremonies. |
| Photo Credit: U of M Herbarium |
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