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Show vee! THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 21 June 15, 2006 Hail, Hail, the New Birdsong Trail By Alicia Pont, Planet Rainbow the trail there is an orchestra of birds to serenade you through your escape into the wilderness. Over 70 different birds can be both seen and heard throughout the seasons of the year. During the spring and summer months there are over 100 species of wildflowers, some of which bloom every day, including the Utah State Flower, the sego lily, which blooms in early June. Because Mr. Wallace was the director of this amazingly engineered project, he was able to access a plethora of organizations and individuals who were crucial for the layout, construction, and finish work of the trail. Just to name a few, a hiking class from Weber State University developed one of the spring group from the Weber State University Women’s Basketball team also gave their time to the trail, taking the cut timber and clean out from one side of the trail to On June 3, 2006, National Trails Day was commemorated in Ogden with the exciting rand Opening of the beautiful new “Birdsong Trail” at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. Festivities began at the South West corner of the Rainbow Gardens parking lot with a short Trail dedication and ceremony. Though short, this official event recognized over two years of long, hard work and participation on the part of hundreds of individuals from various sectors of the Ogden community. Though likewise short, the incredible Birdsong Trail, just under a mile long, offers Ogden residents and visitors alike some of the most spectacular views of what locals have known and enjoyed for years: scenic vistas, wildlife, flora, and immediate access to nature, which are spectacular and unrivaled in any city in Western America—if not the wor The amazing Birdsong Trail project was achieved by unparalleled cooperation between public, private, and government sectors. Mayor Mathew Godfrey brought forth the idea of a trail that connecting neighborhoods while providing easy access to our breathtaking outdoors and the Bonneville Trails system fter a discussion and positive input with Councilman Faci Figliaga, Mayor Godfrey contacted Jay Lowder, manager with Ogden City Public Ways and Parks, to coordinate the project. Understanding how beneficial this trail would be to the —_— Mr. Lowder used his persuasion to entice Mr. Gilbert Wallace to father the oie, Mr. Wallace, a retired civil engineer and expert in both engineering and trails, began to explore, layout, and supervise the construction of this amazing trail. The Birdsong Trail begins high at the top of Fillmore Avenue and 20th Street. This access provides a beautiful decent from a former homestead onto a parcel of unspoiled land that was purchased from the Stuart and Duncan families, who have had enjoyed the unrestricted views of the Wasatch Mountains and the valley below for several generations. As the trail proceeds down into our city’s hidden wooded wilderness, we are greeted y wonderful vistas—Ben Lomond rising above and the very green El Monte Golf Course fanning out below. Birdsong’s views are dramatic in their variation from one to another. On this trail, while not walking more than one mile, you will experience microclimate changes from dessert dry to moist green grotto which features its own miniature waterfall from the collective springs above Rounding the corner, the trail opens onto Rainbow Butte, a majestic sage covered plateau offering incredible views of the mouth of Ogden Canyon, the Ogden River Parkway, and the Timbermine Restaurant. This gateway to Ogden Canyon was dubbed the “most beautiful canyon entry portal in the world” by Mr. Joseph Enru, a traveling geographical engineer in 1889. This superb view of the portal of Ogden Canyon is unsur- passed. Descending from the butte, the Birdsong Trail travels south along an easement graciously granted to Ogden City by the King Family and Rainbow Gardens Corporation. Here yen will find icon grotto of springs and trees to greet you on your descent through a marshland on your way back to civilization. Because of the layout of the trail, at any given time of the day you can find relaxing and welcoming shade while exploring. There are also various spots to sit, take a rest if need be, and just enjoy the scenery and outdoors. “Birdsong” also has no sustaining grades of over 8%, making your trip an easy and leisurely walk through the woods in either direction with the help of the smooth gravel trail base generously donated by Granite Construction. The name “Birdsong Trail” was offered by Jay Hudson, an Audubon enthusiast who worked the trail with Mr. Wallace. All along TS ¢ Bird friendly yard tips G@ Ckainbow Gardens OPEN MOUTH OF OGDEN CANYON DAILY AT 10 A.M. ETO sy Batt) www.rainbowgardens.c om eee KITES & PLANES eee © Top quality photos IDE SUMMER Toys! TAKE $5 OFF eee ° Easy-to-use color guide Field Guide YO T EXPIRES 6/10/2006 eee 130 ew Utah bird species Utah TOPL ee Birdsof IM SUPER SAVINGS eee with this book! eee Hike the Birdsong Trail used the trail project as part of their Service Day, filling sandbags to help stabilize the downward slope of the trail. The largest contribution of time and labor came from the Weber County Community Service Inmates. Many individuals, after they had completed their time, came back to do additional work on the trail. nce you reach your destination at Rainbow Gardens, the opposite entrance to the Birdsong Trail, your outdoor opportunities only increase. You can walk west to the Ogden River Parkway to enjoy a stroll along the river, or you can take the Rainbow Trail back up the mountain to the 22nd Street trail head and access the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. A four block walk will connect you back to the Fillmore entrance of the Birdsong Trail, creating a 2.6 mile trail loop—makings for a perfect afternoon hike. The National Trails Day celebration began with both the Volks Walk and the Audubon Society Bird Watching Walk. A Gold Medal Mile walk/run was also featured. All events were sponsored by Weber Pathways and the Ogden Trails Network, with early morning refreshments including complimentary Mormon Muffins by the Greenery Restaurant. 1085 N. WASHINGTON BLVD., NORTH OGDEN PY Lye www.toontoy.com Open Daily at 11:00 am Lunch and Dinner served everyday the Collection of Utah Gifts, Books, & Souvenir Memorabilia BanquetR looms & Outside Catering Available OPEN DAILY AT 5 PM 1701 PARK BLVD., OGDEN AT THE MOUTH OF OGDEN CANYON NEXT TO DINOSAUR PARK7 At the base of the Planet Rainbow [| af 1833 Valley Drive 392-3902 |_| visit us online at www.rainbowgardens.com Located at the Mouth of Ogden Canyon at: 1875 Valley Drive - 801-392-1777 Dy Birdsong Trail ¢ OIeer UTAH'S #1 SEASONAL STORE Western America’s Larcest Girt og |
