History, nature and community

There are places in our communities that become special because of the people who care for them. In Ephrata, one local landowner has spent years creating a place where people can get outside, enjoy the scenery and learn a little more about the community around them. The hiking trail on the Beezley Hills has become a destination for local families, school groups and several avid bikers. The trail includes signs promoting autism awareness, an Autism “Ribbon” statue that serves as a goalpost for many hikers, benches where visitors can stop and enjoy the view, and picnic tables at the end of the trail. At the beginning of the trail, a new heritage garden will provide visitors with an opportunity to learn how to identify native plants, distinguish them from non-native species and better understand what it takes to establish and maintain a native landscape. A Little Library and additional benches are also planned near the trailhead, creating another place where visitors can stop, enjo