Trails at the Nature Center

The Nature Center is located within a section of the Shaker Parklands that includes six natural habitats — lake, stream, marsh, field, ravine and forest. To experience these fascinating habitats, take a walk along one of our two beautiful trails.

The All People's Trail

The All People's Trail (APT) is a railed, elevated boardwalk and is one-third mile long. The APT is barrier-free, opening the wonders of nature to people of all physical abilities. It features a boardwalk deck, which crosses over the north branch of the Doan Brook, and a marsh access ramp, both of which allow the public to experience the stream and marsh habitats up-close. The APT features a bird blind overlooking the marsh and stream, a lattice-sided "tree house" with benches, a geology observation deck and a waterfall overlook area.

Trails leading to Lower Lake are accessible, by stairs, from the APT.

The Stearns Trail

The stair-cased Stearns Trail is one mile long and begins at the Nature Center's Wildflower Garden. The trail winds through the grounds and along the south branch of the Doan Brook. Features along the trail include a marsh observation deck, a brook observation deck and a brook-side trail.

What Is There to See Along the Trails?

Nestled among the city and suburbs, the Nature Center, Shaker Lakes and Shaker Parklands are havens for all kinds of wildlife. Some of these include:

Migratory and resident songbirds (warblers, thrushes, vireos, catbirds, juncos, cardinals, etc.)
Red-tailed hawks
Barred Owls
Great Blue Herons
Wood ducks
Mallards
Red foxes
White-tailed deer
Squirrels
Chipmunks
Raccoons
Opossums
Skunks
Muskrats
Mink
Woodchucks
Creek chubs
Green sunfish
Woodpeckers (Pileated, Northern Flickers, Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied)
Turtles (Box, Snapping, and Painted)
Garter snakes
Bullfrogs
Green frogs
Redback Salamanders
Snowdrops
Skunk Cabbage
Troutlily
Trillium
Broadleaf arrowhead
Milkweed
Goldenrod
Sycamore
Hickory
Oak
Sassafras
Spicebush
Witch hazel

Common Invasive and Non-native Species
Red-eared sliders
Purple loosestrife
Garlic mustard
Yellow-flag irises
Buckthorn
Honeysuckle
Privet
Myrtle
Lesser celandine
Narrow-leaved cattail