John Conner Nature Preserve (Trails and Scenery)

In my last post about the "Nature Preserve", I was a bit verbal about the situation at hand. Today 9-23-2014, I met with some friends to walk the trails and photograph a positive aspect of the park. 

Also, it looked as if someone had been down there cleaning up a little bit.
THANK YOU to whomever took it upon themselves to do this.

When you first enter the park to the left will be gravel parking, and a sign that says 
"Walking Trails Only".
These trails are for pedestrian traffic only.
No vehicles, bicycles, cars, just humans walking through the woods. 

The trails are wide open and very clear. There are paths that come out by a river bank, to the main lake, and to the alternate parking area. (The area next to the path entrance.)

Don't worry about getting lost. 

Once you walk the trails a few times, you will know your way around them. There are signs pointing you in the direction you need to go. However, a few are laying down on the side of the trails. I am sure they will be repaired soon.

As you can see the trails are VERY wide and neatly mowed. 

This makes for a very pleasant and comfortable walk.

Once again, we are still in town but transported away from it all, if only for a moment.

Follow the trails to the left to take yourself to the River. There is a river edge that is accessible via the trails. The view is great, there are tree roots that make terrific seats, and it is shaded. This is most definitely a good "rest stop" if you're walking the trails for exercise and over long periods.

If you see this view below, then you are at the "rest stop",

There are also hills, and tress that go on and on for miles. The trees, the sky and the light all come together beautifully. 

The following pictures were taken at "The Rest Stop". 

There are benches to rest at as well.

The trails are designed to be very relaxing and calm.

Some people walk their dogs on the trails. My personal experience has been that all of the dogs were friendly. I have even photographed a few of them. 

(I like to photograph random dogs)

In the middle of an open area sits this GIANT tree.
Towering over anything and everything around it.

A Random Monarch is spotted.

As we're walking you start to see more and more signs that summer is gone.

Today was "officially" the first day of Autumn.

The trails are fairly quiet, relaxing and welcoming.

There are benches, picnic tables, and areas to sit, talk and unwind.

Bring your guitar, a picnic lunch, take the kids for a walk, photographers bring your cameras.

Get out there and enjoy this now before winter sets in and we have to wait 3 months.

BEFORE YOU GO:

The woods are shaded so the temperature will drop once you enter the trails. There are spots that are open and the sun shines in, pending there isn't an over cast. Bring a jacket if it is already cool outside. Also, if you are going to be walking for awhile, bring water. One or two bottle should do for a 2-3 hour journey. Wear some sort of insect repellent, I heard dryer sheets work against mosquito's. The bugs aren't always a factor, but it is better to be prepared. Bring a back pack, stuff all this stuff int it, and you're good to go. 

If it isn't for you, you can be back to your car in 5 minutes from the river "Rest Stop".

(Map coming soon)

John Conner Nature Preserve Trail Park (AKA Smalleys Pond)

John Conner Nature Preserve

An unnatural work in progress.

I have spent hours photographing our little town here in the valley. There are some great places to take pictures, some great elevations, graveyards, rivers, lakes and ponds. 

We are in essence a TOWN in the middle of the country. 

There is a little area that we "town folk" call "Smalleys" or "Smileys".

 It is a quaint little lake, set back by the woods, and is close to the river.

In recent years they began clearing trails through the woods, and back to the river.

As an individual that frequents this area, this was a very welcome change.

We have produced more than one short film at the nature preserve.

We have also spent many hours there talking, debating and laughing with friends.

At almost any time, weather pending, you can find numerous people here fishing. 

I personally have never fished the lake, but it seems to be a popular past time in this location.

 People fishing drives a lot of the traffic to the lake. There are also those who go just to have a quiet lunch, away from all the people in town.

 A small percentage of that traffic is people who walk the trails. 

With this traffic comes litter, garbage, broken glass, and multiple fire pits in dangerous areas.

Basically, what I witnessed on this day was an unbridled FREE FOR ALL to trash this area.

My frustration resulted in me photographing every single piece of trash I could, until I was too disgusted to do anymore. (this was after 40-50 pictures.)

I do have to note, that a week after my frustrating photo shoot, a family went down on their own, and cleaned it up. Darrick and Jessica, my respect goes out to the both of you taking time out of your day to help the community. 

Below is a pictorial walk through of what I saw that day. 

Water relaxes me. 

So Serene, peaceful, powerful, and at this time... Calm.

I can see the rocks on the lakes edge. 

You can see tiny fish and minnows teaming about.

As I walk I begin to see some remnants of lunch time.

This is a popular place for people to park and have a quiet lunch by the lake.

I begin walking around the perimeter and I stumble upon this.

Honestly, I was surprised a fisherman would litter to this degree.

If you're in it for sport, or food, wouldn't you want your area clean?

This hadn't been there long.

All I can think is: "You drink diet soda because, well, it's DIET. yet you're too lazy to walk 10 yards to a trash can?" The trash can is literally 10 yards away and you can even drive up to it.

Watermelon Rinds

Although it is biodegradable, it attracts flies, animals, bees, and an unpleasant smell.

Plus, it will be there for days just rotting away. I captured some fascinating footage of the flies eating the rind and flying around. Gross and captivating, still no excuse for this. Trash can is 10 yards away.

Not just one, but MULTIPLE open fire locations.

Some next to trees, on the lakes bank, just everywhere and anywhere!

Notice the broken glass.

I see people dump their ashtrays ALL over town, and it is the most RUDE and disgusting thing a smoker can do. You want to smoke and damage your body, that is fine, but throw your butts away. They will remain there in the earth for 1-10 years. 

YES, 1 to 10 years that garbage will rot in the ground.

I am starting to pin the fast food trash on the people having lunch by the lake.

Is this empowering somehow? 

Remember this, your children, my children and their children are inheriting our mess.

I can count nearly 20 different pieces of trash and litter in the picture below.

20!

How many do you count?

This is disgusting! 

All that garbage people leave, just washes up and ruins multiple habitats.

Styrofoam and Plastics in the water, exposed to heat day after day.

Imagine how many animals EAT some of this small litter, and just die.

Not a fast death, but a slow sickly death.

Another random open fire with some trash just thrown on it. 

That WILL blow away into the lake eventually. 

(insert trash can remark)

I am just going to let you take in the next few pics.

All I can say is at this point I am determined to take a picture of EVERY piece of trash on the ground.

Cigarette butts!!!

You may say "That's not much..."

ANY trash is too much.

...and yet more cigarette butts!

Mister Fisherman, you seem to have forgotten something sir.

Two Plastic bags within 10 feet of one another.

*sigh*

Not sure why they put a rock on it so it wouldn't blow away.

JUST PICK IT UP!!!!

Which would take more effort? 

Oh yea, we have a Hardees.

What is this, TACO SEASONING?

I am walking away from this one.

Two "Bug Juice" bottles.

This tells me parents are bringing their kids to fish, or relax. 

What example do you set if you litter, then let them litter?

Guess what will be here 500 years from now?

This bottle.

One soda from the Gas Station can create 3 individual pieces of refuse.

Maybe it fell out of someones pocket.

Maybe they threw it on the ground.

the leaf looks like it won the fight.

SEE THIS!

This is one of MANY trash cans, strategically placed in the nature preserve.

WHY? So you don't have to throw it on the ground.

I have lost track of the number of "open fire" pits.

It was nearly 15 I do believe.

With one being next to a tree. 

*Sigh* The last picture before I left.

Remember, this planet doesn't belong to humans.

We all have to die one day, but that doesn't give us free reign to live without regard. 

Yes we may be gone one day, but our memory remains in our children.

...and their children.

This tree lives at the Nature Preserve.

These GEESE live at the Nature Preserve.

This planet is not only our home, but home to BILLIONS of other beings and creatures.

Jessica and Darrick took initiative and helped out.

Their efforts made the Nature Preserve a nicer place for animal and man alike.

This is Connersville, Indiana

This is OUR home.

WANT TO HELP?

Contact "Revive The Ville" to volunteer and help revive Connersville.

Not from Connersville? Contact "Revive the Ville" for tips on how you can help your town/ city.

(After pictures, and a blog post from Jessica Linville, coming soon.)