Walk in Penn’s Woods evolved from a simple statement made by landowner Ruth Park to a receptive audience in 2016: “I do wish we could ALL get out into the woods for a walk one day!” That idea, spoken with such passion, birthed a partnership of forest organizations and woodland owners, motivating people throughout the state into the woods on the first Sunday in October.
Since 2017, the Walk in Penn’s Woods partnership has been working to offer Pennsylvanians a statewide day of walks in the woods on the first Sunday in October. These walks provide an excellent opportunity to get out, have fun, and learn about Pennsylvania’s forests, to see forests in new ways, and to understand and appreciate the many values we hold for the woods.
Over 1,000 people attended each of the first two events, with over 60 walks offered around the state; the 2019 event featured 85 walks, including more than a dozen “walk and roll” wheelchair-and stroller-friendly sites, with nearly 1,000 participants on a rainy, chilly day.