By Bill Burk
I got lost.
It was hardly possible. “New trail markers were added earlier this year,” says Meg Pickard, Director of Recreation for Chautauqua Institution. She’s right, of course, the trails are clearly marked, you can’t really lose your way if you pay attention. Somehow, I managed.
Maybe my horrible sense of direction. Or maybe because when you’re tucked into the CHQ Trail, it’s easy to get immersed in the experience, the feeling of hiking in the depths of some remote forest, and that civilization isn’t just beyond the next bend in the worn path. It’s possible to think, to believe, that you’re in the way-out woods, deep and dark, forging your way under a canopy of leaves.
The Chautauqua Trail, on the site of the Chautauqua Golf Course, was established in 2021 when Chautauqua Institution was awarded a KABOOM!* Play Everywhere Design Challenge grant funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Pickard says, “CHQ Trail is a 5K nature, art and fitness trail that is open to the public free of charge all spring, summer, and fall.”
It’s a well-conceived, easily navigable pathway carved inside the Hill Course at Chautauqua Golf, and in Chautauqua fashion, it offers more than just a walk in the woods. The trail has what Pickard calls, “augmented reality artworks found along the trail.”
That experience was created by Leslie Calimeri and John Stow. Calimeri has been a commercial and fine artist for nearly twenty years. Stow is a sculptor and blacksmith based in Stow, N.Y. He creates forged and carved sculptures that are both beautiful and functional. Both have added their talents to the CHQ Trail experience.
Pickard says, “Leslie’s work highlights various landscapes and natural objects in Chautauqua County, emphasizing the colors, shapes, and spaces that define our shared environment. Her goal as a fine artist is to elevate everyday scenes. Her art invites viewers to rediscover the beauty in our surroundings. Leslie resides in Jamestown, N.Y., where she owns the Chautauqua Art Gallery.
Stow’s wooden animal sculptures, known for their animated and playful aesthetic, engage and delight viewers of all ages. These sculptures subtly encourage viewers, especially children, to create narratives around his work, fostering a personal and ever-expanding connection to his pieces.”
Nate Hammond is the Recreation Facilities Coordinator at Chautauqua. The trail is part of his purview. “This fall, our community is gearing up for two thrilling events that promise to bring fun, excitement, and a healthy dose of competition to participants of all ages. The CHQ Trailblazer Challenge and the Squirrel Scramble are set to take place on October 5th at the CHQ Trail at the Chautauqua Golf Course.
The CHQ Trailblazer Challenge is an exhilarating 5k obstacle course race designed for adventurers aged 12 and up. What sets this event apart is not just the challenge of the course, but the unique, handmade obstacles crafted by our very own local artisan, John Stow. Each obstacle is a testament to creativity and local craftsmanship, making this race truly one-of-a-kind. Participants who register before September 30th will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
For our younger thrill-seekers, the Squirrel Scramble offers an equally exciting opportunity. Geared towards kids aged 5-12, this course is packed with agility challenges, and plenty of high-energy fun. Just like their older counterparts, Squirrel Scramble participants who sign up before September 30th will also receive a special commemorative T-shirt, marking their achievement in style.
Both events not only promote physical activity and camaraderie, but also celebrate our community spirit and local talent. All proceeds from these events go directly to the ongoing maintenance for the CHQ Trail, which is a free community resource. We encourage families and individuals to join us in embracing the spirit of adventure and friendly competition at the CHQ Trailblazer Challenge and Squirrel Scramble this October.”
And that’s more or less how I got lost, finding a fictive reality on the CHQ Trail that says you’re not in the middle of a golf course, but maybe at a wilderness path somewhere else, somewhere special (my excuse and I’m sticking to it).
For more information on how to register or get involved, please visit https://runsignup.com/ chqtrailblazerchallenge-signup or contact Nate Hammond at nham-mond@chq.org .”
* KABOOM! and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Announce 19 Winners of Play Everywhere Design Challenge Community groups awarded $1 million total across Western New York and Southeast Michigan for public installations that inspire play in everyday spaces. (www.ralphwilsonjrfoundation.org)