Thursday, May 15, 2014

May 15, 2014: Restore the Natural Beauty of Krause Park

Although the trail itself tells a story of natural changes that have occurred over time, the people who come to enjoy the trail tell the true story. Yes, the trees have gotten taller, and the streams wider, but more importantly the people themselves have grown. These people are what bring the trail to life. Without peoples' interests to come explore the trail, it would just be a patch of woods with no purpose.

The people who visit the trail need to make a more conscious effort to keep the trail beautiful. Because I have been a frequent visitor for several years, I have noticed the dramatic increase of trash and litter that is on the trail. While nature is a beautiful sight, it is often hard to ignore the trash that is thrust everywhere on the ground. Despite the "No Smoking" signs, I still encounter people smoking and throwing their cigarettes on the ground. Similarly, the "No Alcohol" signs don't stop people from bringing beer to the pavilion and throwing the empty cans all over the place. There are trash cans for a reason! People who visit the trail often should consider organizing a group that will help keep the trail beautiful, that is, free of trash and litter. Perhaps, project,"Restore the Natural Beauty of Krause Park," should be established!



May 12, 2014: The Trail At Work

While one purpose of the trail is to look at the beautiful scenery, now that Spring has arrived, the trail can be used for it's more important purpose - exploring. Since the weather is finally warmer and the days are longer, people can always be spotted getting active on the trail. Whether walking, running, biking, or hiking, people enjoy everything that the trail has to offer from dawn to dusk. Just the other day, I observed a married couple walking their dog, two girls riding bikes, a few kids wandering off the path to hike, and several people just taking an evening walk. As I came off the trail, the pavilion was filled with a little league baseball team having a picnic and playing ball in the open space. The trail is a favorite for people of all different ages for various reasons.

Personally, my favorite thing to do on the trail is run. There's no better feeling then waking up early, putting in my headphones, and taking a morning jog on the trail. Sometimes my friends and I even go there to take a walk and catch up with one another. Growing up, I can remember having family gatherings in the pavilion and taking our dog, Taffy, for long walks on the weekends. As I have gotten older, the trail has not only become a place where I choose to seek tranquility, but a place that allows me to reminisce of all the wonderful memories I have made there throughout my life.



May 5, 2014: The Transition Into Spring


The trail has changed dramatically since the posting of my previous pictures. The frozen, snowy ground has been replaced with lush, green grass. Flowers have filled the bare tree branches. Some trees have already shed their flowers and have begun sprouting bright green leaves. Wildflowers can be seen sprouting out of the earth. More animals have made an appearance as well. I encountered deer, squirrels, rabbits, and even a fox. Various species of birds, such as cardinals, robins, blue jays, swallows, and chickadees, can be seen perching on trees and soaring through the air. I even spotted a monarch butterfly nectaring on a flower. The stream that runs through the middle of the trail sparkles from the sunlight above and is sheltered with shade from the oak trees above. On one specific day when the rain was pouring, the stream was overflowed with water, forcefully rushing down its path, resembling a river. There have also been many more people on the trail since spring has made an appearance. Walking dogs, riding bikes, or jogging, people of all ages come to the trail to enjoy the beautiful weather.
 
 

 

March 8, 2014: New Photos



March 5, 2014: Dr. Louis Krause Memorial Park

 
As I have been visiting my favorite trail more frequently, I have discovered that it is part of the Dr. Louis Krause Memorial Park. The Dr. Louis Krause Memorial Park is located on Old Harford Road in Parkville. It stretches across 14 acres of land and offers serene walking trails, a playground, picnic tables, and a pavilion. Krause Park is also home to a restored historic limestone kiln. The stone arch kiln burned wood to generate heat for the pulverization of limestone into lime. This process took two to three days, and lime obtained from the kiln was used to reduce soil acidity of local vegetable farms. The kiln was restored by Baltimore County in 1979 and is now part of Krause Memorial Park.


The trail that I enjoy spending time on is covered with oak, maple, and dogwood trees. Mulberry bushes, freshwater streams, and fallen branches also surround the area. At this time of the year dead leaves cover the beaten down path as the trees have shed their leaves from the previous fall. The trees and bushes flourish from the frequent rainfalls, their roots continuing to grow deep within the fertile soil. The deer, squirrels, rabbits, and birds drink water from the stream and eat fallen berries, seeds, and grasses found within the shaded woodland. However, it is difficult for the animals to survive when the stream is frozen solid and the ground is covered in layers of snow and ice, as it has been for most of the winter months. The nature and animals on the trail flourish most when the weather is nice and the temperature is mild.
 


 

February 6, 2014: Snowy Days

The spot I have chosen to connect to is the trail behind my backyard. During my hikes, I always discover the most beautiful sights. Due to the recent snow and ice, the trail has transformed into a sparking winter wonderland. There's something about the snow and ice that makes the trees, bushes, streams, and animals look even more gorgeous than they already are. I enjoy walking through the trail often, capturing photos of all the nature I encounter.

My favorite place to be is the little trail behind my apartment in Parkville. The trail winds through a small piece of land that is simply used to showcase the nature that we sometimes forget is all around us. The trail is surrounded with oak and pine trees, holly bushes, streams flowing beneath fallen logs, and all different kinds of animals, from deer to cardinals. As I stand in my favorite spot on the trail, I see the snow falling off the tree branches into the stream. I hear birds chirping in the trees. I smell firewood burning in the distance. I feel the crisp, frigid breeze blow against my face.