EDISON WOODS PRESERVE TRAIL ADVISORY

            Visitors to the interior of the Edison Woods Preserve this spring may note wetter trails in some lowland locations and trail improvements in other areas.  In March, MetroParks staff began a project to restore the natural wetlands environment of the South (aka Big) Meadow and the North (aka Small) Meadow openings in the forest of the Preserve.  These changes will have no impact on users of the new Edison Woods Adventure Walkway.  Restoration of the natural surface water flow and the regrowth of native wetlands plants is the goal of the restoration project.

            Recreational users of the Preserve, including hikers and those on horseback, will discover that trails on the hillside above the Meadows will be less muddy.  These enhancements will result from improved drainage and a crushed gravel surface on some sections of the South Ridge Trail.  Trails on low dikes crossing the Meadows will be constructed in 2007 and will then offer better access across this area than ever before.

            Funding for the project comes from private sources.  The restoration work will be paid for by those who are required by State and federal regulations to restore wetlands where such areas have or will be damaged as a consequence of development. 

To find out more about how wetlands are good for the environment, go online to http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/.

For more information, go to www.eriemetroparks.org or contact Erie MetroParks at (419) 625-7783, DiscoverIt@eriemetroparks.org, or 3910 Perkins Avenue in Huron Township.