This spring the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is teaming up with Olympic National Park to offer the annual Poetry Walks.
This year’s program will begin April 1 and continue through May 31 and features inspiring poetry along five dazzling trails in Olympic National Park.
The Library and Olympic hope the playful combination of nature and art will encourage residents and visitors to get out and be active, and remind them of two great local resources that are always available to explore.
During Poetry Walks, poems will be placed on signs along the following trails in Olympic National Park: the Hall of Mosses Trail, the Living Forest Trail, the Madison Creek Falls Trail, the Spruce Railroad Trail, and the Peabody Creek Trail. With the exception of the Hall of Mosses Trail, access to these trails is free.
About the Trails
The Living Forest and Peabody Creek trails begin at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, and offer pleasant 0.5 mile loops. In the spring, skunk cabbage, a native plant found along streams and other wet areas of the woods, blooms and provides vibrant color (and possibly scent) along the trails. The Madison Creek Falls Trail is located in the Elwha Valley and offers a paved 200-foot walk to the base of the beautiful falls. The Hall of Mosses Trail is a 0.8 mile loop trail that passes through big leaf maples and Sitka spruces covered in vibrant green and brown mosses. The Spruce Railroad Trail follows the historic railroad grade of the Spruce Railroad along the North shore of Lake Crescent for 4 miles one-way, offering several points of beach access as well as gorgeous views of the Punchbowl, Mount Storm King, and Barnes Point. The Hall of Mosses Trail begins near the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, which requires regular park entrance fees to access. More information about the trails and areas of Olympic National Park can be found at www.nols.org and www.nps.gov/olym.
Poets featured along the trails include Mary Oliver, Ross Gay, Jericho Brown, Tim McNulty and many more. Those who find themselves inspired to write a poem or take a photo while on one of the Poetry Walks are encouraged to share it on NOLS’ Facebook page or share it with their friends on Twitter with #FindYourPark.
National Poetry Month and National Park Week Events
The timing of Poetry Walks isn’t coincidental. April is National Poetry Month, and National Park Week will take place April 16-24. National Park Week is celebrated at all national park areas across the country and features free admission to all national park units on Saturday, April 16. The theme of this year’s National Park Week is sPark Connections, and Sunday, April 17 is focused on sPark Creativity: national parks have inspired artistic and creative expression for generations, and finding inspiration along the Poetry Walks is one way everyone can join in and celebrate the artistic legacy of national parks.
Fierce and Fabulous Movement Challenge
NOLS’ Fierce and Fabulous Movement Challenge, taking place from March 1 – May 3, encourages adults ages 18 and older to create and maintain new healthy habits and movement goals. Taking in one of the Poetry Walks can count toward badges for movement activities and get participants one step closer to an entry into the drawing for an annual pass to Olympic National Park. Learn more about the Fierce and Fabulous Movement Challenge and register to participate at www.nols.org/movement-challenge/.
More Information
Whether you’re interested in additional poetry or new trails to explore, the NOLS collection has something for you. Hiking guides, trail maps, wildlife guides and poetry volumes are all available for checkout! Explore Olympic! daypacks—filled with discovery tools for exploring the park, including trail and field guides, binoculars and reading materials for kids—are perfect for families and are available at all four NOLS locations. Thanks to a generous donation by Washington’s National Park Fund, families that checkout a pack will receive a seven-day entrance pass to Olympic National Park.
The Poetry Walks program is being offered free to the public thanks to the generous support of local Friends of the Library groups.
For more information about this and other upcoming events, visit www.nols.org or email discover@nols.org.
