Poison Ivy
"Leaves
of three, let it be."
Walking Safely in the Woods
Frances
Shirley
The properties of the Land Preservation Society with paths
are generally safe for walking, and we have tried to keep
trails in the Woodward Forest wide enough so a parent and
child can walk hand-in-hand. However, there are certain
common-sense precautions that everyone should take to make
a walk a pleasant experience
Wear
sensible shoes. Roots, small pebbles and occasional wet
places, make hiking boots or athletic shoes advisable.
There are also ticks, including deer ticks, which carry
Lyme Disease, so it is best to wear long sleeves and pants
tucked into socks. Spray with insect repellant (including
the cuffs of your pants) as an extra precaution. If you
walk in shorts, a good insect repellent is a must, as there
are often mosquitoes too. When you get home, check
carefully for the tiny deer ticks and the larger dog ticks.
Ticks tend to crawl upward, so check at the belt line and
in your hair. Here is a link to more information about
ticks, provided by the State of Connecticut.
Tick information
Occasionally
you will see bees or yellow jackets. If you are allergic to
them, carry whatever first aid treatment your doctor
recommends.
Two plants can cause problems. The cat- or green- or
bull-briers that grow in sunny spots have fierce thorns
that can cause a tearing wound if you tangle with them. Be
careful going off trails or trying to push through the
briers. The other common problem plant is poison ivy. Look
at the photograph here and on the website. Remember, poison
ivy has shiny pointed leaves in groups of three. It
generally crawls along the ground, but will climb the
nearest tree. In the fall it turns a lovely red and has
berries. After a walk, wash with strong soap or dish
detergent and if you notice a blistery rash, use an
anti-itch cream. (Jewelweed juice is a home remedy. There
is a picture of jewelweed in the slides of the Medeiros
property on the web site. It haws an orange flower and
often grows near poison ivy in wet places.)
Where
we have trails, the land is posted against hunting, but
there are a few irresponsible hunters who tear down the
signs. During deer season, in late fall, be especially
careful. It is wise to wear red or orange, and you should
tie something orange on your dog as well. If you hear
hunters, talk loudly so they are alerted to your presence.
In
the Woodward Forest you can get almost a mile from the
entrance, so it is wise to carry a cell phone in case of
emergency, especially if you are walking alone.
Following
these simple precautions should allow you to have a safe
and enjoyable visit to LPS land.