by Robb Clifford
Autumn is by far my favorite season! The crisp air, the changing colors above and below, the hint of winter on the horizon, and, if we’re lucky, the magic of those first snow flurries. After a busy summer filled with community events and activities, autumn offers a welcome opportunity to slow down, take a breath, and reconnect with the outdoors.
As the autumnal equinox approaches, the prairies and meadows begin their seasonal transformation. Splashes of purple ironweed, bright yellow goldenrod, and asters ranging from white to blue to purple provide some of the last sources of nectar for our pollinators before winter arrives. These vibrant displays also make autumn a wonderful time to explore the trails, especially those that may have been too hot or too wet to fully enjoy during the summer months.
Several projects are underway across the Park District and will be completed in early autumn. Our staff is hard at work replacing a section of boardwalk at Shawnee Prairie. This upgraded section is an important first step toward making this loop accessible to all park users throughout the year. We hope to continue replacing additional sections in 2027 and beyond until the entire loop has been restored.
At Holzapfel Preserve, we’re working on improvements that include a new gravel loop trail and updated signage. We hope this project will serve as a model for adding compacted gravel loops in other preserves, creating more opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy our parks. In the Gettysburg area, the bike trail is also receiving a much-needed update, with approximately two miles of fresh asphalt resurfacing the oldest section of the trail.
As we transition from the hustle and bustle of summer into the slower pace of autumn, I encourage you to make time to be (or return to the) outdoors. Take a walk, explore a familiar trail in a new season, watch the prairie change, or simply find a quiet place to sit and enjoy the crisp air.
These autumn months have a way of rejuvenating the soul and preparing us for the darker days of winter. And perhaps, if we spend a little more time outdoors during the cool days of fall, the cold of winter won’t seem quite so harsh when it arrives.
So, grab a jacket, lace up your shoes, and get outside. Autumn is waiting!
