Forest Preserve's New Trail Club Kicks Off Jan. 6

Looking for a path to fun and fitness in the new year?

Check out the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s new Trail Club. Each month, the club will meet at a different preserve for weekly hikes. Preserves in Naperville, Channahon and Plainfield will be featured. The trail club kicks off Jan. 6 and runs through March.

Here is the schedule:

• January’s walks will be at 10 a.m. Tuesdays around the 1.6-mile loop at Whalon Lake in Naperville. The first hike for the club will be Jan. 6.
• In February, Trail Club will meet at 3 p.m. Thursdays for 1.5-mile hikes at Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Channahon.
• March’s meetings will be at 9 a.m. Saturdays for 2.2-mile hikes at Lake Renwick Preserve – Turtle Lake Access in Plainfield.

Trail Club grew out of feedback from participants who enjoyed other Forest Preserve winter programs, including the December Dash Virtual 5K, said Em Wilcher, the Forest Preserve’s recreation coordinator.

“This feedback had us looking at the winter ahead for more unique programming to get folks out on the trails,” she said. “The accountability of having someone to meet up with can really help get your mindset in gear to follow through on cold-season outdoor activity, so we thought, ‘What’s better than a trail club?’”

Each month, the club moves around the county with different days of the week and times of the day to accommodate residents who have different schedules, Wilcher said.

Participants who attend at least three walks this season will earn a Trail Club sticker. If inclement weather affects a program, an update will be posted in the morning on the Forest Preserve’s Event Calendar website listing for Trail Club outings.

“I hope this program changes people’s thinking about what weather they can consider ‘good outside weather’ and that we can inspire people to get out on the trails,” Wilcher said. “It’s a great time to reset our approaches to activity and fitness with all the hype around New Year’s resolutions and goal setting.”

Wilcher noted that while the group walks are about 1.5 miles in January and February, participants are welcome to add more mileage if they choose. And March walks are a bit longer but they can be modified for anyone who needs to keep the mileage lower.

“Spending time outdoors in the cold weather is so invigorating and has a multitude of benefits for your health,” she said. “Just be sure to dress warmly. It might be time to get yourself some new socks!”