By Fr. Jim Lucas | Special to On Mission
HOWARD — St. John the Baptist Parish has two new trails — the Nature Trail and the Memorial Trail — created within the parish’s “nature lands.” These trails have come about through the work of the Buildings and Grounds LANDS committee, the parish facilities team led by Bill Wulf and 100% funding through private donations.
St. John Nature Trail
The St. John Nature Trail is a grass trail that runs from the Cardinal Lane trail and heads along St. John Stream and Lancaster Creek to its eastern terminus in the parish orchard. Being a grass surface, it is not an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible trail and is restricted to walking only.
Because it’s partially in the wetlands, it is closed periodically when the stream is high — in the spring and after torrential rains. One of the former bridges and several pieces of boardwalk were reincorporated into this trail.
Take a peaceful stroll along the St. John Nature Trail and enjoy the wildlife (deer, birds, groundhogs), waterways and scenic vantage points that are offered.
St. John Memorial Trail
The St. John Memorial Trail is a cement trail that runs around the pond from the church to the eastern terminus in the parking lot. It is ADA accessible.
The highlight of this trail is the 225-foot Memorial Walkway lined with memorial bricks remembering loved ones. Memorial bricks were sold for $150 each. Four memorial bench locations are provided, as well as a shelter near the trail’s beginning.
Devotional development will continue along this trail with a Calvary representation, including a 16-foot-high cross flanked by two 10-foot-high crosses, created from repurposed bridge materials from the wetland.
Take a walk on the St. John Memorial Trail and let God inspire you by its purpose and views of the pond, church and nature lands.
In the works
The St. John/Village of Howard Trail will be an asphalt trail that will run along the southern property line of the parish from Meadowbrook Park to the Village of Howard building.
It will require two bridges to cross over Lancaster Creek and will give the village access to a critical stormwater sewer on the southeastern corner of the St. John the Baptist Parish property.
All costs for this trail and perpetual maintenance of it will be the responsibility of the Village of Howard. The parish is free of all liability regarding this trail.
When completed, it will conveniently connect the expansive Howard trail system and give the parish access to the southernmost portion of its lands.
The village has some more planning work to do before groundbreaking can occur. Updates will come when they are known.
Fr. Lucas is pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish in Howard.
Watch a video about the new trails featuring Fr. Lucas: https://vimeo.com/1031703919
