UNION twp. >> The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area will join forces with Fork & Ale to celebrate Opening Day for Trails on Saturday, April 7, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The event will take place outside the Fork & Ale restaurant at 1281 E. Main St. (Route 724) . Fork & Ale recently signed on as a Schuylkill River Trail adopt-a-trail member, responsible for maintaining a section of trail located behind the restaurant.
During the event participants will be able to choose between two options, both beginning at 11 a.m. These include a trail cleanup or a group bike ride.
The trail cleanup will take place along the Berks County section of the Schuylkill River Trail, near Fork & Ale. Activities will include raking, pruning back overgrowth, and litter pickup to get the trail ready for spring. All cleanup volunteers will get a free beer courtesy of Fork & Ale.
The group bike ride will consist of a short ride totaling about five-miles round-trip, beginning on the Schuylkill River Trail and connecting to the Hopewell Big Woods Trail. The Big Woods Trail is a steady incline with switchbacks for about two-miles. At the top participants will rest to enjoy the beautiful view of Monocacy Hill in the distance, and hear two presentations.
Speakers will include Geologist Rob Kuhlman who will speak briefly about the area’s geology, and Hopewell Furnace National Historical Site Manager David Blackburn who will discuss Hopewell’s history.
After the ride and the cleanup all participants are invited to gather for a group photo to be taken beside Fork & Ale’s new Adopt-a-Trail signs. Trek Bikes of Pottstown will also be on site with an e-bike available to test ride.
Event is free and open to everyone, but participants are asked to register at https://openingtrailsday.eventbrite.com.
The event is part of the Circuit Trails network of trails opening day celebration. For a listing of all Opening Day events occurring along Circuit Trails in greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, visit circuittrails.org/events. For more information about Opening Day and to find events nationwide, visit railstotrails.org/openingday.
