When Dane and Ann Poeske of Beverly first heard about the GreenbeltGo-Getter Trails Challenge while visiting Art in the Barn last year, they didn’t hesitate to sign up.
“We started hiking some of the local Greenbelt trails during the pandemic as a way to get out of the house and enjoy nature, and have been fans ever since,” says Dane. “The challenge seemed like a fun way to mix things up and explore places that we wouldn’t have visited otherwise.”
Comprised of 50 trails spread across Greenbelt’s many diverse properties, the free, self-guided Go-Getter challenge started last June and wrapped up on May 1. The Poeskes were among the 38 hardy hikers, walkers, mountain bikers, and runners to check off every location, with another 92 people submitting their official trail tracker forms tallying the properties they visited; more than 230 people registered online to participate in the event.
“This being the first trail challenge that Greenbelt has ever held, we weren’t sure how many would participate,” says Rachel Horgan, Director of Development and Community Engagement. “We were pleasantly surprised by how many people got involved. Whether they completed just a handful of trails or all 50 — the response was overwhelmingly positive.”
The goal of the challenge, Rachel adds, was to find a creative way to raise awareness around Greenbelt’s many different locations across Essex County and foster a sense of community among those participating. All were encouraged to post photos on social media and tag Greenbelt as a way to share their experiences. Participants were also invited to use the free GreenbeltGo trail app to help locate and navigate the different properties.
“We usually did our hikes on Sundays and would sometimes knock off three or four trails at a time in a given area,” says Dane. “People thought we were crazy, but we had fun with it. We tried to find a local restaurant or craft brewery to visit wherever we were. So, there was always an added reward at the end.”
The Poeskes were not alone in their enthusiasm. In a post-challenge survey, many participants commented on how much they enjoyed discovering new trails and revisiting old favorites. A number also commented on how the challenge inspired them to get outside year-round and experience all of the seasons no matter what the weather.
“We definitely walked away with a greater appreciation for all the work Greenbelt does to protect land, maintain properties, and provide an opportunity for people to get outside,” says Dane. He and his wife have since made a donation to support Greenbelt’s trail management efforts and plan to visit more properties in the future.