National Trails Day event set Saturday in Titusville

From staff reports

The Titusville Area Trails Association and Friends of Drake Well will partner with the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day to offer a day of celebration at Drake Well Museum and Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Now in its 27th consecutive year, National Trails Day, the United States’ largest celebration of trails, challenges the public to explore nearby trails, to engage in outdoor recreational activities like hiking, to learn new outdoor skills, and to support the volunteer efforts of trail organizations.

Saturday’s event, themed “Find Your Adventure!,” will include a variety of family-oriented outdoor activities and music by The Sons of Ron.

Guided hikes will feature interpretation of historic areas and will be of various lengths and difficulties. EmergyCare, the Oil Region Alliance, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Titusville Fire Department will offer outdoor health and safety information.

Savory Studio will be providing a nature-themed art project for children, with live demonstrations and tutorials by woodcarvers, paddlers and fly fishermen rounding out the day.

In addition to free activities, “Rolling 2 You,” a mobile bike repair shop will be on-site with a large step van, which is equipped will a full bike repair and service shop along with repair parts and accessories.

“‘Rolling 2 You’ is one of the most unique bike repair shops. It’s like a food truck for your bicycle! We’re very excited to have them here from Erie,” said Leah Carter, who is organizing the event.

“We hope people come out to explore the trails, learn a little something and grab a bite to eat at one of the food vendors. This is the first year for this event, but we hope to make it an annual celebration,” Carter said.

National Trails Day is organized by the American Hiking Society, a recreation-based conservation organization dedicated to establishing, protecting, and maintaining America’s foot trails. Last year, more than 109,000 individuals participated in 1,203 events across all 50 states.

The day is also part of Great Outdoors Month, a month-long effort in June to get Americans outside. Great Outdoors Month celebrates everything wonderful about America’s abundant outdoor recreation resources, while highlighting Americans’ passion for the outdoors and calling for a rededication to conservation efforts and volunteerism.

“National Trails Day is a time for all trail users to celebrate and enjoy our trails,” said Drake Well Museum and Park Site Administrator Melissa Mann. “We are proud to host this event and we welcome the public to enjoy our park’s trails this Saturday and year-round.”