My Favorite Runs Erie

Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania

Before my life and joining the military moved me away from my home town I lived near a beautiful natural attraction along Pennsylvania’s north coast, Presque Isle State Park.  This peninsula just west of Erie, Pa extends into Lake Erie forming a protective barrier to the cities northern shore.  The peninsula is also home to a number of wild animals, birds, miles of beaches and a great multi-use trail system.

Like most people living next to such a landmark, we tend to take it forgranted.  I spent a lot of time on the beaches and fishing the waters as a kid, but once the “rat race” of life took over, I did not make it to the peninsula very often.  And that really was a shame.  This natural habitat offers any number of outdoor actives and is the perfect place to leave the concrete and steel jungle behind.

For the runner, a 14+ mile trail system begins at the foot of Peninsula Dr and winds its way thu and around the park.  Following the trail you are never far from some wonderful views of the city, wild life and always surrounded by nature.  The multi-use trail system is a wide asphalt trail which is flat, and very forgiving.

Some of the sights along the south side of the trail include a small light house, Perry Monument (Oliver HazardPerry), Misery Bay, and Grave Yard pond along with miles of shade trees and wild life.

One the North Side is Presque Isle Light House, one of the most famous light house of Lake Erie.  And the most notable feature of the peninsula is Lake Erie and on a clear day you may be able to see the Canada Coast Line as Erie is on the narrowest part of Lake Erie.

On the north side is Presque Isle Light House, one of the most famous light houses on Lake Erie.  And the most notable feature of the peninsula is Lake Erie itself.  The smallest and shallow of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie provides some wonderful sunsets and great beaches.  On a clear day you may be able to see the Canadian Coast Line as the peninsula and the city are on the narrowest part of Lake Erie.

Since moving away from the peninsula and Erie I only return occasionally visiting family and friends.  And an old friend that I enjoy visiting as often as I can is the trail on Presque Isle.  I run there as frequent as I can when “home.”  I find it funny that when I lived right next door to the state park she was an afterthought.  Now I drive across the city in the wee hours of the morning to get a run in with my old friend and one of my favorite running places.

In case you missed it, my other favorite running place:

Chania, Crete