by Wesley Harris
(first in a series on local recreational areas)
Tucked into a peaceful corner of Ruston, Huckleberry Trails Park spans 23 acres of dense pine and hardwood forest, offering locals and visitors a serene escape.
Located at 2304 Magnolia Drive right next to Cypress Springs Elementary School, it’s rather off the beaten path. You will likely never see it unless you’re looking for it. Like all Ruston city-owned parks, it is open daily from dawn to dusk.
I visited the park in 90-degree heat just to experience the difference in temperature under the towering canopy of pines, oaks, red maples, and sweet gums. Scientists tell us the temperature in a forest can be 20 to 25-degrees cooler than a nearby sunny area. Despite the heat, walking the trail and reclining on one of the benches was quite comfortable.
For kids with some imagination, the modern playground structure on a safe, rubberlike surface can provide hours of fun. The playground is next to two covered pavilions and the restroom building, so families enjoying an outing can keep everyone in sight.
The trail is easily negotiated. Its 0.7-mile loop and numerous spurs are wide and mostly level and suitable for strollers, bikes, running, or casual walks. Some of the vegetation is marked by ground-level identification signs.
Dogs on leashes are welcome on the trail; owners should pick up after their canines. The quiet, wooded setting makes it easy to spot songbirds, squirrels, and other small wildlife.
Someone warned me of poison ivy on the trail, but the path is wide and mostly graveled so the vine is not a problem if you stay out of the vegetation. I saw a bit of poison ivy but that has to be expected in the woods.
The name “Huckleberry Trail” was not a random choice. I saw dozens of huckleberry bushes. My brothers and I probably consumed a million of the juicy purple berries in our youth. It takes a lot of the tiny fruit to satisfy a growing boy so we usually tired of picking before we got our fill. Unfortunately, no berries at this time of year.
The pavilions with picnic tables are large enough for birthday parties, family reunions, even a casual corporate affair.
In March, the park was renamed Huckleberry Trails Marie Riggs Park in honor of the former Ruston City Councilwoman who spearheaded its creation.
If you are searching for a quiet place in nature for a stroll with a pup or just a leafy break, Huckleberry Trails Park may be the place for you.
