Posted 3:10 pm Saturday, February 06, 2010
Staying Fit In Tyler Area: It's A Walk In The Park
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Larry Adkins walks almost every day at the ROC.
He's been going to the recreation outreach complex about four or five years, where he typically walks with his Dachshund.
He's been going to the recreation outreach complex about four or five years, where he typically walks with his Dachshund.
For Adkins, the draw is the ROC's physical and spiritual atmosphere.
"It's the most peaceful place I know. … The scenery's beautiful, and you can see rabbits and squirrels, and fish splashing in the pond," he said. It's also "a good Christian atmosphere. You can feel God's presence walking around."
The ROC, located off of U.S. Highway 69, just north of Farm-to-Market Road 346, is owned by Green Acres Baptist Church and features a one-mile figure eight trail, an 18-hole disc golf course, fishing and various space for outdoor athletic events.
GABC Associate Recreation Minister Adam Bush said it also has a wilderness trail that is under construction.
While some people have used the complex to train for a marathon, others have used it for parties, Bush said. He expects more people to use the complex once spring arrives.
The ROC is currently open to the public "anytime there's daylight." However, there are guidelines that can be found at www.gabcrecreation.org.
The ROC is not the only place Tyler area residents can go to walk.
Faulkner Nature Trail, located off of U.S. Highway 69, features a 1.3 mile loop, mountain bike trail and picnicking opportunities.
Parks Department Director Stephanie Rollings said Faulkner is truly a nature trail that allows residents to enjoy the surrounding leaves and trees.
Area residents also may walk at the 3.5-mile Rose Rudman/ South Tyler Trail, located off Shiloh Road, east of U.S. 69.
This is one of the most popular trails, Ms. Rollings said, because there is a playground adjacent to the trail, and its users can get in a good run or walk.
"People bring their dogs, people ride their bikes or push strollers," she said, adding that the trail also features exercise stations and picnic benches.
Park hours are dusk until dawn.
On the north/central end of town, there is Windsor Grove Nature Park, the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden and Glass/Woldert Park.
On the north/central end of town, there is Windsor Grove Nature Park, the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden and Glass/Woldert Park.
Windsor Grove Nature Park, 415 S. Lyons Ave., is located at the intersection of Lyons Avenue and Front Street, just west of the East Texas Fairgrounds and Tyler Municipal Rose Garden complex.
According to information from the city, the "beautifully wooded nature park" features hike and bike trails and a picnic area.
The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Drive, is a 14-acre park with more than 38,000 rose bushes of at least 500 different varieties, "from tall grafted rose trees to miniature roses no larger than a dime," according to the city's Web site.
It's the site of the annual Texas Rose Festival held in mid-October each year and attracts numerous tourists.
Ms. Rollings said Glass/Woldert Park, located at 701 W. 32nd St., adjacent to Glass Recreation Center, has a walking trail around the lake.
Walkers can do a one-mile loop or make use of a pavilion, benches and picnic facilities, she said.
Besides city parks, there also are walking opportunities at Lake Tyler and Tyler State Park.
Ms. Rollings said there are trails near the marina at Lake Tyler as well as a large recreational area that goes out to the spillway and back.
The area also offers wildlife/nature viewing opportunities and picnic opportunities in some areas, she said.
Tyler State Park, 789 Park Road 16, has a Civilian Conservation Corps nature trail called Whispering Pines.
Joe Roach, interpreter/resource specialist at the park, said Whispering Pines is "kind of H-shaped" and has connection going across the dam.
"It's kind of steep. I enjoy it because there's a lot of bird activity (and) you never know what (wildlife) you're going to find out here," he said.
Whispering Pines is not fully handicapped-accessible. However, Roach said, it is an interesting trail because people can see CCC sites.
For example, there is an old children's wading pool along the trail that now has little water.
"We're trying to restore it. People still use it for looking at the plants and animals, but it's not as in good shape as it used to be," Roach said.
He said park officials also are trying to identify plants along the trail with markers.
In addition to Whispering Pines, Tyler State Park has a 2.11-mile trail around the lake.
Roach said the trail is good for meeting people and provides good exercise opportunities.
In fact, he said, it is even used to train for the wildland firefighter test, also known as the "Pack Test."
Tyler State Park also is home to the Blackjack Nature Trail and the EZ Loop.
Blackjack "is interesting because it's between two ecosystems," Roach said. "In the center of the trail is a tall grassland area, but inside is wildflowers."
He said the EZ Loop is for beginning hikers who want a "moderate hike."
The normal entry fee for Tyler State Park is $3 for adults. It is free for children 12 and younger.
Citizens also may purchase a $60 pass, which is good for a year.
If someone has purchased the pass, everyone in their vehicle will get into the park at no additional cost.
FUTURE PLANS
While there are numerous walking options in the Tyler area, the city is looking at expanding trails further.
Ms. Rollings said the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has approved a regional trail system plan that looks at trail opportunities outside the city limits.
For instance, the rails to trails corridor along Old Jacksonville Highway is shown in the plan and could potentially become an official trail connecting Tyler and Bullard.
Construction of all trail phases in the plan will be done as funding sources permit, Ms. Rollings said.
Tyler is also currently getting input on the city's Parks Master Plan.
It held two public meetings this week -- one Monday in the cafeteria of Jack Elementary School and another Tuesday at The University of Texas at Tyler Library Conference Room.
Tyler Communications Director Susan Guthrie said 22 people attended the meeting at Jack Elementary, and 75 attended the meeting at UT Tyler.
A quick, 18-question survey also can be taken online by those who aren't part of 3,000 randomly selected residents who will get a survey with their water bill. The deadline to take and return the surveys is Feb. 11.
As of Wednesday, 307 online surveys and 335 mail-in surveys had been completed, Ms. Guthrie said.
Like Tyler, Bullard and Whitehouse are planning for the future.
Bullard Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks said the city has been working with the Texas Department of Transportation on the possibility of putting an asphalt walkway, or some kind of defined walking trail, between Bullard High School and The Brook Hill School.
Don Branam, chairman of the Whitehouse Parks and Recreation Commission, said there are no walking trails in the city, but the commission is looking at adding trails at Gardenview Park and the city park on Main Street.
"We want to have a walking path within the park so kids can play and moms can walk at the same time," he said.
