Exploring Nearby - Alyssa

With the ability to still get outside during the Stay Home. Stay Safe. order, our staff have been checking out nearby outdoor spaces! We've asked each of them to document their experience -- take a look below to see where we've been exploring!

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While I do enjoy the extra minutes in bed and conducting work in the comfort of my home, but like many, this new normalcy has certainly required more mental decompression and some much-needed fresh air. Living on the east side of Bay City there are a few nearby spots that I’ve visited.

Hewitt Park

The first being the park across the street from my house. The sidewalk square surrounding it measures out to be about a third of a mile. When it’s fairly warm or the sun is shining I like to walk or jog a few laps around the square. A few weeks back, one of the neighboring families made a sidewalk chalk display that featured some positive messages. I appreciate having this public space literally outside my door and well taken care of by the city and my neighborhood.

Golson Nature Area

​Early on in the Stay Home order, I visited the Golson Nature Area which is owned and primarily maintained by the city with consulting and invasive removal in partnership with the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. The nature area is a little over 40-acres with trails surrounding a large wetland area. This space is a hidden gem in Bay City, not many locals realize its existence. I may however be biased as this space has personal significance with it being the sight where I had my wedding photos captured last fall!

​Another local spot is more of a network of parks and sidewalks that connect. I like to first start at Bigelow Park at the North end of Middleground Island. The 9-acres features a footbridge to cross the Saginaw River and connects to the Riverwalk. You can follow the pier path that leads out to a large gazebo that extends into the Saginaw River. A longer pathway travels through Veterans Memorial Park, Kantzler Arboretum, Fitness Park and along the riverfront. I took an hour walk last weekend through this network and recorded 3.22 miles!

I hope everyone is finding their local hidden gems and favorites to explore safely during this time!

Alyssa Walters
Outreach Coordinator