Erie, PAs Best Exercise Spots: Where Grit Meets Nature

If youre looking for an exercise destination that combines industrial grit with natural beauty and historic charm, Erie, PA should be on your list. This city on the shores of Lake Erie is known for its bluecollar heritage and resilience in the face of economic challenges, but its also home to some exceptional places to break a sweat.

One top spot is Presque Isle State Park (301 Peninsula Dr., Erie), a 3,200acre peninsula jutting into Lake Erie with more than 13 miles of trails for hiking or running. Take the Ravine Trail from Beach #6 to get your heart rate up as you climb up and down sandy hills through forests and wetlands. Or head out on one of the parks many beaches for volleyball or other sandbased workouts.

Another great option is Frontier Park (1501 W 6th St., Erie), which offers a range of sports facilities including fields for soccer, baseball and basketball; tennis courts; horseshoe pits; disc golf courses; and even an outdoor fitness center with exercise equipment overlooking Presque Isle Bay. After your workout, take a stroll along nearby Hoeffner Memorial Trails to soak up some history they pass by Fort Presque Isle site where French soldiers once traded furs with Native Americans.

If youre looking to take your workout offroad, check out Asbury Woods (4105 Asbury Rd., Erie), a nature preserve featuring over four miles of scenic trails that wind through oldgrowth forested ravines. Stop at one of several fitness stations along the way to work in resistance training while enjoying views serene ponds filled with water lilies.

For something more urbanchic style experience try Boxcar Brew Works (1429 Lake Road unit C Conneaut lake) Its urban country feel has indoor space in addition to outdoor space on a beautiful lawn near the train tracks. Play cornhole, lounge outside overlooking the fields, and dance with live music.

No matter where you choose to exercise in Erie, be sure to soak up some of the citys unique character along the way. From its steel mills and shipyards to its downtown revitalization efforts and stunning waterfront views, this is a place like no other.

Historical Fact: Presque Isle State Park was formed as a peninsula by currents traveling eastward along shore deposits that began forming during postglacial rebound at the end of the last ice age,. The exposure (presquile means almost an island) allowed for development of extensive wetlands which are frequented by migrating birds every spring.

Technical Fact: Asbury Woods contains three different forests types (hemlockhardwood ravine forest, mixed hardwoodArborvitae swamp forest, oakmaplehickory ridgetop forest) each with their own distinct plant species composition

Websites:

https://www.visiterie.com/

https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.asburywoods.org/

Twitter handles:

@VisitErie1

@DCNRnews

@asburywood_ERIE