County Park Board’s “Take-A-Stroll” Takes to the Water
With summer almost halfway over, so are the Noble County Parks and Recreation Board’s “Take-A-Stroll” events for this summer. The remaining events, however, provide some unique and exciting opportunities to experience Noble County’s recreational opportunities.
On the fourth Saturday of each month from June through October, the Board is hosting “Take-A-Stroll Saturday”, a trail hike featuring an area trail. Each hike provides an opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of Noble County while getting some exercise and enjoying the scenery and company of other residents.
The third “Take-A-Stroll” has a slight twist, as this event explores a water trail with a canoe / kayak trip on the Elkhart River. Meeting at the boat launch on the Elkhart River at US 6, the group of boaters and floaters can decide whether to ride the river downstream to Ligonier or paddle upstream through “The Spread”. The group will leave the Mallard Roost No. 1 Public Access Site at the corner of CR 750 N and US 6 on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 9:00 am. Participants must supply their own boats and life vests.
The Elkhart River is known for its meandering slow flows through the rural farmlands of Noble County. So slow, in fact, that one can easily paddle upstream as well. From Mallards Roost #1, the river flows about 1.2 miles to CR 600 W, 3.5 miles to CR 750 W, and 5 miles to Pigeon Street in Ligonier. Expect the trip to Ligonier to take about 2.5 hours.
A great discussion of this trip can be found at through http://noblecoparks.wixsite.com/website.
Three more hikes are schedules for this year: August 26 at the Detering Preserve in Kendallville, September 23 at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center near Wolf Lake, and October 28 at Noble Trails’ Fishing Line Trail near Rome City.
The Noble County Parks and Recreation Board was created in 2010 by the County Council in response to a recommendation in the 2007 Noble County Comprehensive Plan. After assessing the recreational assets throughout the County, the Board’s current mission is to promote the recreational opportunities that exist. In public input sessions in 2013 and 2014, citizens cited trails as the most desired recreational facility.
Questions about “Take-A-Stroll Saturday” should be addressed to Ray Scott, Noble County Parks and Recreation Board President, at 260-347-2210.