County Conservations hosts nocturnal tour of Maynes Grove

Franklin County Conservation hosted the first of two outdoor evening events on Monday, January 17 at Maynes Grove.

The Moonlight Ski & Shoe event invited area residents to visit Maynes Grove for a nighttime tour, giving them the opportunity to experience a rarely seen side of the natural environment.

"It's basically a way to get people to hike at Maynes Grove in the evening under the moonlight," said Park Ranger and Naturalist Thomas Rice. "It gives them a chance to try something new."

Thomas said that about 30 people showed up over the course of the evening to get fitted for snow shoes and sent out onto one of two routes set up for the nocturnal tour. With a half-mile or a mile long stretch around the pond to choose from, visitors walked around the park to look for owls, deer, and rabbits.

"Most of them said they really enjoyed it," said Rice. "It was pretty eventful."

A miscommunication prevented skis from being available during the event, but there will be another chance so long as the snow stays on the ground. Franklin County Conservation has a second event scheduled for February 16.