Fall is my favorite season to run, hike and bike. There is just something special about the coolness on your sweaty skin, the slight breeze in the air and the change of colors all around you. Sun Prairie has a lot of great locations to take your next workout this fall. From quiet roads, to neighborhood bike paths to dirt trails - there is a variety of terrain surrounded by fall color throughout the city.
These are my top five places to run with fall color in Sun Prairie. Be on the lookout for my next pop-up class, a Fall Color Stroll, Strength and Stretch Session at Sheehan Park.
Patrick Marsh
Patrick Marsh is located on the northeast side of Sun Prairie and includes eighteen acress of prairie land, which also meanders through the woods adjascent to Brazee Lake. Even though the trail doesn't go around the pond, you can enjoy a variety of dirt path, grass path and road surrounded by fall color. There are even a couple of boardwalks, bridges and a wildlife platform to enjoy. My favorite part is going "on road" on the back end of the lake, on the dead-end portion of Town Hall Road. I really enjoy the out-and-back route here, especially this time of year. The prairie has a variety of changing color as well as the variety of trees and color in the woods. It is also a great place to catch a fall sunrise if you're a morning runner.
Sheehan Park
You have probably driven past any of the Sheehan Park parking lots when out running errands or stopping by the library. But, have you parked in any of the three parking lots and enjoyed the biking or hiking trails? Did you know, that there are also mountain biking trails in the far south portion of the park? The trees lining Linnerud Drive turn the most vibrant red, matching the nearby water tower at the aquatic center. I would suggest parking at the Sheehan Park-West parking lot, across from the libaray and starting your loop on the Linnerud Drive bike path. You'll enjoy some nice rolling hills to start. You can then cross over to the bike path near the baseball diamonds and loop back through the back-end of the park. Here, you'll enjoy a nice stream (which you can check out on foot) and bridge. You can also access the path through the woods, which will also take you to the nearby mountain biking trails. Take the paved path up the final incline and finish and the upgraded gazebo in the park or at the playground.
Carriage Hills Estates
Carriage Hills offers a variety of color during this time of year. I enjoy parking at the Carriage Hills Estates Park parking lot and enjoying a quick one mile loop around the park's pond for some great color on flat terrain. You'll get some great, colorful mirrored images in the neighborhood pond. The path includes a great bridge too. You can also take the small path on the back end of the pond and visit the Colonial Club, which features some beautiful fall color in front of their building (pictured below).
From this park you can get two fall color outings in one, as you can head to Patrick Marsh (mentioned above) pretty easily. Once you return to the park, you can cross Musket Ridge Dr onto Carriage Drive. Following this road up a slight incline, you will find neighborhood bike path. Take the path through the colorful woods with fallen leaves to the left. This will lead you to additional path on Town Hall Road. Choosing the path to the left will lead you to the back end of the Patrick Marsh Conservancy.
Meadow Crossing
On the east side of town, you'll enjoy some additional colors on the outdoor color pallette at Meadow Crossing. This neighborhood is located across from Sun Prairie East High School. You can easily park at the Sun Prairie Dream Park, the hockey rink or the high school when not in session to access these flat, paved neighbhorhood trails. The prairie changes a variety of purples, blues, yellows and browns during the fall season. You can access the major part of the trail system across the street from the high school entrance. Take the path south on Hwy N, to where it ends and then meander through the prairie, as this trail takes you to Highway 19 on the most eastern part of town. You can do a nice two mile out and back route here.
Orfan Park and St Albert the Great Drive
Orfan Park is one of the more popular parks and playgrounds in town. The connecting trail system and nearby roads are also perfect for seeing fall color this season. Just north of the playground, the bike path is paved and includes several miles of trails just past the beautiful bridge. You may even see some neighborhood deer from time to time. To the left you'll meander through the neighborhood and then the roling prairies near Token Springs Elementary. If you choose to go to the right, you'll find fall colors in the woods and an adjascent stream that kids and dogs can explore. The trees that line St Albert the Great Drive are also beautiful when at peak. There are four other nearby neighborhood parks for exploring and playing. The nearest, Westwynde Park also has an additional playground with lots of fall color right around the corner, to add on a few more steps to your workout.
