Don’t pack, but let’s get moving

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 7, 2010

NATCHEZ — Adams County is moving Saturday.

As part of the “Let’s Move” initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama, the local offices of the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife have teamed up to get Southwest Mississippi moving Saturday.

The day starts at 10 a.m. at the St. Catherine Creek Wildlife Refuge where officials will unveil the new one-mile extension of the Magnolia Recreation Trail, refuge manager Bob Strader said.

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The trail extension is dotted with 14 activities aimed to get children moving by walking like a duck, running like an alligator or jumping like a grasshopper.

“More and more children are losing an attachment with the outdoors,” Strader said. “There is a two-fold benefit here. The educational benefit is children will learn how things live and grow and about life cycles, and from a health standpoint, there is a need to have children who are more active and not children who are watching television and playing video games.”

Also at the refuge Saturday will be a Black Bear Obstacle Course and guided canoe trips on Gilliard Lake beginning at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Reservations are needed for the canoe trip, Strader said. Reservations can be made by calling 601-442-6696.

Other attractions at the refuge include a butterfly garden and a new fishing pier.

“These additions offer good change for the refuge and the community, Strader said. “There are plenty of outdoor opportunities that people don’t always think about taking advantage of.”

At noon, activity will move to the Mississippi River Bluff where the National Park Service has organized activities to promote exercise and healthy eating, Natchez National Historical Park Superintendent Kathleen Jenkins said.

Broadway Street will be blocked off between Main Street and Franklin Street for a tricycle rodeo and a “Join the Army” Civil War activity.

Jenkins said tricycles are provided for the children to ride.

The Mississippi River Trail, Natchez Trails project and the Natchez Farmer’s Market will give demonstrations on healthy foods and eating habits. The City of Natchez is providing water and healthy snacks for the event, Jenkins said.

Jenkins said the day coincides nicely with the Phatwater Kayak Challenge and will allow attendees to see the river used for recreation and also see cultural, recreational and natural resources of the community.

At 3 p.m. Melrose will host a scavenger hunt for children to explore the history and culture of the property.

“As public land managers, we are not here to have public lands and put a big fence around them and say ‘we are preserving these,’” Jenkins said.

“If you start this early, children begin to learn and understand the national wildlife refuges and the national parks belong to them and think ‘Let’s get out there and use these.’”