We’ve been having beautiful fall weather so Sunny and I have been enjoying being outside. Last week we decided to explore a new to us park and ventured to Battle Creek, Michigan to Woodland Park and Nature Preserve. It was well worth the trip and one we will visit again. It was especially beautiful as the fall colors are in full bloom.
History of the Park
The park as it stands today was over thirty years in the making. In the 1990’s Raymond Pontoni sold 126 acres to the city of Battle Creek with help from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land Trust. The Pontonis donated an additional 18 acres which helped create the entrance off Helmer Road. In the early 2000’s Joyce Garrett learned of the land and approached the city with a plan to create a park. The city approved the plan in 2006 and Ms. Garrett and the Woodland Park and Nature Preserve committee worked to create the wonderful park and they continue to make improvements. In 2021 there was a ceremony and dedication of a bench in her honor.
Our Adventure
There are two different entrances to the park, one off Helmer Road and one off Gethings Road. We chose to enter off Gethings Road. Once we parked the car the entrance to the trails was not easily visible so we checked the map at the entrance. We then walked toward the large tower and found a fence and the entrance to the trail.
This trail was a mowed grass trail with vegetation on either side. It did not feel like we were in field or meadow because of all the trees on either side. We welcomed the sunshine that was shining on us since it was early and a little chilly. After a short distance we came to a sign and the option to continue straight ahead or turn to the right. My rule is to almost always take the trail to the right so I can find my way back to the car. Today was no different.
As we continued to follow the trail we started to enter the woods. Shortly after that we crossed a bridge, although there wasn’t any water during our visit. I’m sure during the spring it is a different story.
Shortly after entering the woods we found a fort made from fallen tree limbs. Sunny thought that was quite interesting and the smells were great. As we continued we found a section where the trail narrowed and was a bit overgrown. We still continued and wound around back to the bridge we had crossed. Later I learned we had explored the Bluebird Trail, Hidden Loop Trail, and part of the Beaver Trail.
Next we took the Sumac and Beech Trails to the Kettle Lake Trail which eventually led to the entrance off Helmer Road and the Joyce Garrett bench. After reading the sign we headed back on the Pontoni Trail to the Hardwood Way Trail and the Prairie Trail. These led us back to the parking lot, but near the port-o-potty instead of the tower. We hiked over 3M and had a great time exploring.
We finished our adventure with a picnic lunch on the bench near the tower. All in all a wonderful adventure and worth the drive from Northern Indiana.
Sunny’s Perspective
This was a great adventure! I love getting out in the fall because the smells are so much better and there are so many critters. I wish I was allowed to be off leash so I could chase them, but we always follow the leash rules. Despite that I loved exploring this place, especially the cool fort in the woods.
Our Rating
Sunny and I give Woodland Park and Nature Preserve 3.5 out of 4 paws up. It’s a beautiful area with trails in the woods and views of a lake. There is plenty of parking at two different entrances and port-o-potties. And there are benches for a picnic lunch. The trails are well maintained an although there were a few cars in the parking lot, we felt like we had the preserve to ourselves. All in all a wonderful place for a day in the woods and a picnic lunch.
How Do I Get There?
From I-69 take exit #38 to I-94W and continue for 18M. Then take exit #95 and turn right onto Helmer Road. Follow Helmer Road for just over a mile and then turn left onto Gethings Road and continue for half a mile. Turn left to enter the parking area.
For more information check out this website.