Duke Farms Hiking Ramble

Please read and act on the PARKING note below!
We will explore some of the historic structures and trails at Duke Farms, including the Hay Barn, Orchid Range (orchids always in bloom!; see Nodding Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes cernua, in the teaser photo), Old Foundation, and Fox Hollow Lane. Walkways are variously paved, gravel, or woodchipped; we may walk on grass for some stretches. Duke Farms at 2700 acres and 18 miles of lanes and trails is a former tobacco and hydropower magnate’s estate, repurposed for even-more-sustainable ecologically sound practices and education. Bring lunch, water, cell-phone cameras. Meet outside Visitor Center, (near the parking lot). If possible, register at: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN0000012K5J2AU/act00012967?t=1745205307503
Do NOT respond "Yes" or "Going" or "Join the wait list", none of those actions do anything useful.
Some visitor comments:
(re/ orchid house): “They herd Cattleyas around like people.”
(re/ Great Falls Viaduct): “This is a fine place to overlook.”
(re/ The Old Foundation): “You wouldn’t get much out of this, depending on how deep you go into it.”
(re/ the herb garden): “I definitely felt like I’d stepped backwards in thyme.”
Please note: In order to comply with Pennsylvania Youth Protection Laws, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. This policy applies for all events offered by the Delaware Valley Chapter as well as any other Chapter events within the state of Pennsylvania.
PARKING note: If attending this event, you either need to hike a long ways in (not safe, narrow busy road with NO shoulder!) or reserve a parking pass. Passes are per car, and free, BUT are only available Monday, May 12, on-line (Duke Farms), starting at noon. Typically they are all snapped up by 12:15 pm. So put notes on your calendar and phone. We will coordinate emergency carpooling, if necessary from St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church on Brooks Blvd., about 1.5 miles away.; call 609.731.3882.