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Ballard Park to Offer Guided Hiking Tours
Newport's only nature preserve is inviting people to explore the park on a guided hiking tour Sept. 17.
NEWPORT, RI—Ballard Park's one of Newport's many treasures, but with 13 acres to explore, where to begin? The Friends of Ballard Park start to answer that question Sept. 17 when they host a guided hiking tour from 2 to 3 p.m.
The guides will meet hikers at the Hazard Road entrance to the park. Their tour also covers some history about the park, which is a former quarry.
"It's a chance to get some exercise and find out about some of the park's highlights," said Colleen McGrath, executive director of Friends of Ballard Park.
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The tour includes a couple of spectacular views as hikers will climb to the top of the wooded quarry and view a vista of the quarry meadow and the park.
The park's ecosystem includes forest, vernal pond and meadow, she added. Hikers will encounter what was once an orchard and can still find crab apple trees. They'll also see grapes growing.
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The guides will also talk about the stones quarried from Ballard Park. They were used to build houses and stone walls and even to pave Ocean Drive, she said.
The trail extends for a little over a mile, she said. Since some sections are rugged, sturdy shoes are recommended.
Suggested donation is $5. Rain date is Sept. 18. Call 401.619.3377 or e-mail education@ballardpark.org for more information.
Photo: Friends of Ballard Park is hosting an End of Summer Hike Saturday September 17th at 2PM. Photo by Kate Dutton
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