Nature/Walking Trails

Adams Ricci Park has a large system of measured, paved walking trails for your enjoyment. The picture below shows each measured course by color. The color corresponds to painted arrows on the paths. They offer variety and a challenge if you choose to walk them all at once.

The EP Parks crew is also installing the first phase of trail lights on the Green trail to be available in Spring 2008.

WALKING IN ADAMS-RICCI PARK


	Adams-Ricci Park also features a nature trail that winds down the slope from Keystone and West Enola Pavilions to it’s base by the Conodoguinet Creek.

		Ridley Park, just off Erford Road, also offers a walking trail along the Conodoguinet creek which offers beautiful views of the creek and it’s birds.

The picture to the left is a satellite shot of the Pine Hill Arboretum. It runs from near the Conodoguinet Creek at the bottom right of the picture through a natural ravine. A walking path exists for those interested in seeing the many birds, trees and plants along it’s way. Hiking in the area started over a hundred years ago when the Harrisburg Natural History Society was deeded the land by Dr. Harvey Bashore of West Fairview.

From 1903 to 1905, Dr. Bashore purchased the property from William and Fannie Fake, Charles and Annie Miller and Edward Eslinger. This 15 acres became known as the Bashore Memorial and later, The Pine Hill Arboretum.

The Harrisburg Natural History Society was founded in 1904 and incorporated in 1934. The society started at a time when people would ride the street cars that were common in the area and go for a nature walk. The Society used Pine Hill for meetings, picnics and field trips and at one time the Society had six to seven hundred members.


	Of course, history of Pine Hill Arboretum didn’t start in 1903. In 1630, the Six Nations of the Iroquois conquered the Susquehannock tribes and controlled this area, however their interests weren’t in settling this area, it remained lightly populated. From 1689 to 1728, the Shawnees had villages near Pine Hill and as late as 1753 there were large number residents from multiple tribes (remanents of the Delaware, Shawnees, Tuscaroras and Mingees). A great number of Indian relics were found at Pine Hill, not only those used in hunting, but those for household use. This seems to indicate that a least a temporary camp was located near Pine Hill. On October 11, 1736 all the land surrounding Pine Hill was deeded by the Irquois nation to William Penn and in turn by him to John Harris, in 1748. In 1760 this area was divided into farms and Pine Hill became a part of a farm owned by John Erford which eventually was deeded to the Fakes mentioned above. As late as 1965, Pine Hill had a pavilion and cabin complete with pot belly stove. The cabin was at the top of the hill and it faced the Conodoguinet Creek. Pine Hill will always be special to the children that grew up in West Fairview, Possum Hollow and Enola. Perhaps it was the field trips with teachers pointing out the many flowers and trees. It definitely served as a place of peace and tranquility for many people. On November 17, 2004 the Harrisburg Natural Historical Society deeded the property to East Pennsboro Township and it will serve as a nature preserve for many years to come.

		exerpts from “The History of Pine Hill Arboretum written by the Historical Society of East Pennsboro

Questions about Recreation? Call or email Cheri Matter Director 717-909-5630 or email recreation@eastpennsboro.net


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