Last Sunday, I came up for air between storms and met my friend, Lee and her dog, Piper at South Whidbey Community Park. I’ve walked these trails in spring, summer and fall, but I wanted to see how they fared in the winter. Would there be trees down? Branches littering the trail? Pond sized puddles? I was surprised after all the wind and rain we’ve had lately that the answer was… none of the above. We parked across from the socially distanced shrubs and met at the trailhead to take a look at the map. Then we headed off on the smooth, wide, packed gravel paths that weave and loop through the forest. We spent a good hour exploring well marked trails among fir, cedar and alder groves and nary a puddle appeared. What struck me on this walk is the community in this Community Park. We passed dog walkers and joggers. Others walked briskly chatting in groups. We took the Connector Trail toward the sports complex on Langley Road and came upon a lively soccer game. Just beyond them a mother pushed her toddler on a swing while another child climbed into a little fort in the playground. Teenagers filled the skateboard park and other kids rode bikes. This park has something for every age or activity level. Walking back toward the High School we soon met Lori, a teacher and friend who told us she walks here almost daily. “It’s on my way home from work,” she said. Another woman came up jogging and stopped nearby. “New Year’s Resolution?” I asked. She smiled and said, “I come here every day.” I began to see a trend. Near the end of our walk we came upon Mark, Wendy and their dog Daisy. Dog walkers get four times more exercise than the average American adult. I used to refer to my dog as my personal trainer. I’d heard a podcast the day before, about forming habits. This time of year some of us make New Year’s Resolutions. We struggle to cut back the calories we packed in over the holidays. We vow to get more exercise. Studies show that we can't rely on will power alone. They say if you want to form a new habit, a healthy habit, there are some well tested strategies you can employ. Reduce the “friction”. For instance, if you want to go running first thing in the morning, you could wear your running clothes to bed. Couple something you don’t like to do with something you really enjoy, like listening to good music while taking a brisk walk. Set up your space so you link a new habit with one that’s already established. I put a five pound weight next to my electric toothbrush so while I brush my teeth with one hand, I lift the weight with the other. They say 40% of our behavior is automatic. So if we want to start a new habit we have to do it over and over until it becomes automatic. And if we want to unlearn a behavior, we have to make it something that requires our full attention, like eating with the non-dominant hand. That would slow me down. As we came to the end of our walk, I realized this was a daily routine, a habit, for a lot of those we’d met. Spring, summer, fall or winter, this park has miles of well-constructed, well-maintained trails that don’t puddle up and are clear of debris. So bring a friend, a dog, a skateboard or soccer ball, climb into the fort, try the swings, walk, or jog, at whatever pace you please. It’s a New Year. The light is returning. Let’s put our best feet, and paws, forward, between storms. Maribeth PS A week later I returned to SWCP and found flooding had occurred at the base of the Switchback Trail on the NW corner of the park. Speaking with a Park Commissioner, I was told this had started happening after a clear-cut on Maxwelton Road had changed the drainage in the area. There are still many trails that are accessible. Driving Directions:
From Highway 525 3.3 miles north of the Clinton Ferry or 3 miles south of the Goose Grocery at Bayview, turn north at Maxwelton Road, then turn right just past the High School. If you’re coming late in the day, you may want to park outside the gate on the north side of the High School so your car doesn’t get locked in at dusk. By Bus: Take the Route 60 bus, which goes between Bayview, Langley and the Ferry, and disembark at the High School on Maxwelton Road or at the Sports Complex on Langley Road. The park is between the two. *Or Take the Route 1 bus and disembark at the intersection with Hwy 525 and Maxwelton Road. Then walk north about a half mile to the northeast side of the High School. *Island Transit's fare free buses can carry two wheelchairs and two or three bikes. There are some hills and soft spots but wheelchairs or mobility scooters could use most of these trails with care.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Maribeth Crandell has been a hiking guide in the Pacific NW for over 20 years. She's lived on Whidbey and Fidalgo Island for decades. As a frequent bus rider she easily makes connections between trails and transit. Archives by date
April 2024
Categories
All
|