Piscataway Park--easy hike & Earth Day cleanup
Details
PLEASE READ PATC'S RSVP POLICY AT "NOTES"
Join other PATC trail lovers for an excursion that combines outdoor adventure with a worthy cause. A leisurely hike under 5 miles combined with a brief cleanup to contribute to the Earth Day goal of cleaning up communities.
THE PARK: Piscataway Park is home to bald eagles, beavers, deer, foxes, ospreys, and many other species. The park has boardwalks over tidal wetlands, nature trails, meadows, and woodlands. The Park is also home to National Colonial Farm which features traditional farm animals and farming practices.
ITINERARY: After looping around the farm and through the woods, we will head out to a point on the Potomac River shore to pick up bottles and debris. We may to walk through weeds to get there. The cleanup will take no more than 20-30 minutes.Then (after washing up at the restrooms and delivering the filled bags) we continue to the Accokeek boardwalk to look for birds and marine life and enjoy views of Mt. Vernon across the river. We will visit the grave of a local Indian chief and stop at picnic tables for lunch. Trails are mostly flat except for a small section in the woods.
SUPPLIES: It is likely to be a hot, sunny day, and there is little shade. Bring lots of water, sun protection, insect spray, and lunch. The hike leader will bring latex gloves and small-to-medium trash bags -- a size that will be easy to carry a half mile to the drop-off point. Feel free to bring your own gloves and bags if you wish.
TIME: Meet at 11 am for introductions. Start walking at 11:15. (The time is determined by the tides.)
MEETING POINT: Meet in the middle of the parking lot on Bryan Point Road, next to the Accokeek Foundation / Education Center building. The address is 3400 Bryan Point Rd, Accokeek, MD 20607.
MAPS: Our route will incorporate parts of these two trails:
National Colonial Farm Loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/national-colonial-farm-loop
Accokeek Creek Marsh Boardwalk
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/accokeek-creek-marsh-boardwalk
NOTES:
-RSVP to attend this event. If your plans change, update your RSVP by 6 pm the day before so there is time for someone on the waiting list to be moved over.
-Signing out after 6 pm will result in a “no show.” Repeated no shows may result in being barred from future hikes.
-Consider joining PATC to contribute further to trail stewardship:
https://www.patc.net
HISTORY RESOURCES:
https://npshistory.com/publications/pisc/index.htm
https://colonialencounters.org/SiteSummaries/AccokeekCreekSummary.aspx