Lindenwood Nature Preserve

Sunday hikes with the family

As I’ve mentioned, our family hikes together on Sunday mornings. We often go to Franke Park, here in Fort Wayne, and retrace the switchbacks and dips and rises of its mountain bike trails, or climb its big sledding hill, which used to be a soapbox derby hill, and upon which, on particularly cloudy and cooler and misty days, I pretend I’m sauntering atop a Scottish Munro, in the Highlands, listening for the bleating of sheep, on the lookout for the majestically long bangs of rustic cattle. It’s one of my favorite places in the city. 

But it can be a hard place for Avram, with its roots and twists and turns so beloved by riders. Which is why I’m quite thankful we’ve discovered Lindenwood Nature Preserve. 

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Lindenwood is part of the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation system. It contains 110 wooded acres, four hiking trails, and a few shelters. There’s also a beautiful pond toward the back that, in the dense foliage of summer, will catch you off guard, even if you know it’s coming. 

The longest trail is the Trail of Reflection, which leads to the aforementioned pond. The first ½ mile of the eastern portion is wheelchair and stroller accessible, which takes you far enough to see the water. It is a pleasant trail for Avram: no jutting roots or steep climbs or dips; he gets rather upset when he trips, as we all would. The hum of cars rushing along Jefferson or Lindenwood is more present here than at Franke but it isn’t overwhelming, and, when I’m far enough into the woods, in both body and mind, I think it disappears. Or mostly disappears. 

On a recent visit we tried the Oak Paradise and Trillium trails for the first time. Both are lovely. The former has an expanse of forest floor under a dense canopy about halfway through that will stop you. I stood there for several minutes, bathing in the forest, as the Japanese put it. We will have to return to Trillium in the spring and early summer, for its namesake. 

There are a few boardwalks along the trail. The Trail of Reflection has a lengthy one, which the kids enjoy. My favorite view in the preserve is from another boardwalk, abutting the pond’s southeastern shore. From here the water is backed by tree-covered hills. It’s beautiful, and for a spell I convince myself I’m at Walden, that Thoreau would enjoy it here, that he too, in his Elysium, wasn’t free of the din and drama of civilization.

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The kids don’t care much for the view, of course, but on a recent trip they discovered a few dozen frogs: big fat ones with only their eyes and nostrils above the water, as well as a slew of little ones atop damp and mostly submerged logs. A few still sporting their tails. All were nearly incognito. Nearly. 

For the record, two of our kids argue and fight and drive us batty much of the hike. Avram is actually the easiest one here. For Augie I sense this is akin to being dragged, against his will, to Sunday service, and he may very well, when of mind and age, become agnostic to the glory and splendor of Nature. At least we are here together, in the woods, getting some exercise. 

Cassie and I try to catch up, on the week that just ended, the one upcoming. I generally leave my technology behind while hiking, but Cassie has her phone out and in her hand; she’s using her birding app. A catbird is the celebratory find of the day. Humorously, it does sound strangely like a cat. Truth be told, I’ve also downloaded the app, and on more than a few occasions, I’ve felt the thrill of hearing a “new” bird, of adding it to my “life list.” I also tell myself I needed the pictures, for the writing. 

All four trails, depending on your pace and purpose, can be completed in as little as a few hours, though I’d suggest going slow, stopping at the pond, for the view, the frogs, listening for the catbird. Maybe, or maybe not, taking the kids along.