The bitter cold of winter has descended upon us. As we can see from the lack of grass, snow has also made its grand appearance. If you have been in Michigan for a while, you know that the cold air and snow are a winter staple, but that doesn’t make them any less jarring. However, there is beauty in winter; everything is quiet, and there is something almost magical about the twinkle of snow. While it does get dark early, we have all the more reason to snuggle up with a blanket in our rooms or watch a movie with friends.
Some of you may not be fond of going out in the snow. However, others of you are looking forward to taking a brisk stroll through the wintry scene. If that’s you, this is the article you need to read! Berrien County has some lovely parks and other recreational areas for all you adventurous folk who don’t let the cold stop your nature-loving ways.
Andrews University trails
Did you know that Andrews University has a series of trails? It’s true! A 2013 excerpt calls these trails “one of Andrews University’s best-kept secrets” and notes that these trails have more than “11 miles of walking, running and single-track mountain biking trails.” Andrews’ trails can be found on the northwest side of campus.
Wolf’s Prairie Park
Just a little outside downtown Berrien Springs rests this lovely park. While small, this park offers a great display of trees to walk under. It’s a good place to go if you want to be off campus but still nearby. It has serene views of Lake Chapin, which often partially freezes during the winter and can be fascinating. This park also has connections to a Potawatomi village, which shows the historical significance of Berrien Springs and the Native American history that exists here. Wolf’s Prairie Park is a perfect place to view the wintery sights.
Fernwood Botanical Garden
A hidden gem of Niles, Michigan, is Fernwood Botanical Gardens. This botanical garden space offers lots of nature opportunities. For the winter months, they have a pleasant array of flora and fauna in their Fern Observatory. Fernwood includes some community classes such as tips for remedying the common cold, art, girls in science celebration, birdwatching and more! They also have picturesque trails, including an adventure walk with little structures and trinkets that make your walk more enjoyable.
Sarett Nature Center
This nature center in Benton Harbor gives guests a specific map for winter weather. Here, you can walk, snowshoe or even cross-country ski on trails specifically designed for those activities. For those of you interested in wildlife, they have many opportunities to learn about and see various wildlife that inhabit the woods surrounding the nature center. It is a pleasant place to take a stroll in the winter and you may even see a woodland creature!
Lake Michigan beaches
While getting to Lake Michigan requires transportation, many beautiful beaches exist, even during winter. One of my favorite sights is when parts of the lake get cold and create ice crystals in the water. It is fascinating to see how different the lake looks when the sand is mainly covered. Everything looks quieter. Some of my favorite beaches are Lions Park Beach and Silver Beach. These particular beaches offer great walking space even on a frigid day. Another positive aspect of going to the beach during winter is that you can be guaranteed they won’t be too crowded.
Andrews University
You may be wondering why I included Andrews University twice. Andrews University calls itself an arboretum! As we know from walking to and from class, there are many trees along the sidewalks of our campus. Many trees have plaques to let us know what kind they are. How wonderful to enjoy snow-covered trees just outside our door! Andrews has the perfect atmosphere for a quick walk through the snow.
I hope this inspires you to continue to explore nature even in the winter months. Always remember that if you go out when it’s cold, wear coats, gloves, hats, scarves and boots to ensure you stay nice and toasty. The Midwest has a lot to offer during winter that other states don’t get to experience. Let us enjoy the beautiful snowy weather amidst the hard, cold winter wind. Stay warm!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.