Bicentennial Woods

One of my favorite walks in northern Allen County are the trails of Bicentennial Woods, bought and donated in honor of Fort Wayne's bicentennial in 1994. The eighty acres feature tall trees, some over 200 years old, and hilly trails. Willow creek, a lively contributary to the Cedar Creek, winds through it gracefully.

It's not hard to find this lovely park - just take Coldwater Road north out of Fort Wayne. It's a scenic drive past neighborhoods and horse stables. You will turn west on Shoaff Road - 700E. Half a mile or so, you'll find the park on the south side.

The trees are wonderful - towering, magnificent. There are shagbark hickories, oaks, and gorgeous maples. Grants were made possible by the Indiana Heritage Trust program, the Indiana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, and private donations. It's fabulous it's here and available for all of us to share. Choose your own path - walk to the far edges of the park, or do a smaller loop. Cross lovely footbridges and stairs. Groups have done a nice job making the more difficult trail areas user friendly.

I think it's a great woods for all levels - serious naturalists and fun-seekers alike. Senior citizens and families with kids will find the woods garden-like and visually pleasing. There are huge downed trees to explore - kids love to climb and tightrope-walk along the top of these. It helps make the enormous size of these trees more accessible.

Hawks circle overhead, and one can hear woodpeckers and other birds in the background. It's muddy in March, but not bad unless its been raining. The wildflowers are not yet out; it's only March 11. Ancient vines wind through the forest floor and up into the lower branches.

Take a picnic, take your camera, take your trash out when you leave. Soon I'll write about nature walks very near here - the Acres Land Trust on Chapman Road and the Vandolah Nature Preserve. Peace be with you, brother.