PAC names Wilder Forest trail in honor of company
The eighth annual PACWalk will be held on Saturday, May 5 at Tryon Estates. The event is the Pacolet Area Conservancy’s spring celebration of conservation and the enjoyment of being outdoors.
For the first four years, PACWalk was held in different places, including the Harmon Field area and FENCE. Then in 2009, Tryon Estates offered to host PACWalk. Residents adopted the event and busily recruited a host of walkers, who could choose the paved path around the lake or the woodland path. The Tryon Estates staff worked with PAC staff and volunteers to ensure that everything was well planned and managed.
Tryon Estates Executive Director Nancy McKinstry said, “Residents here are very ‘green’ oriented. They are into recycling and conservation and are very aware of the importance of protecting the natural resources we treasure in this area, so they are pleased to be working for the benefit of our local conservation organization, PAC.”
Individuals and teams of walkers from various community groups enjoyed the trails and the Tryon Estates hospitality, including lunch in the dining room, where awards and prizes could be presented in comfort.
In 2011, PACWalk was joined by PACRun, a 5K trail race held on a course especially designed by Tryon Estates resident Tryon Lindabury. The run, a timed race, is headed by Caroline Eller, activity director for Willowbrook Court at Tryon Estates and a runner herself. The Tryon Running Club is also involved and helps to promote the event. Last year’s overall winner, Polk County resident Curtis Rowe, went on to run the Boston Marathon this year.
In recognition of the important role Tryon Estates has played in the success of PACWalk, a trail has been named at PAC’s Wilder Forest Preserve. Last week a sign was placed at the head of the trail. It reads, “The Tryon Estates PACWalk Trail, named in gratitude for the generous natural resource preservation support from the residents and staff of Tryon Estates.”
In addition to Tryon Estates, PACWalk is sponsored by the following businesses: Nature’s Storehouse, Bonnie Brae Veterinary Hospital in Columbus, First Citizens Bank at Tryon Estates, Owens Pharmacy in Tryon and Tryon Estates, St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, Edward Jones in Columbus, PRO Physical Therapy in Columbus and Costco in Spartanburg.
For information about registering for PACWalk or PACRun, call the PAC office at 828-859-5060 or go to www.pacolet.org or strictlyrunning.com.
– article submitted
by Carole Bartol