Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Take a walk on the wild side during your next layover
By
Harriet Baskas
USA Today
Spending a three hour layover working out
at an airport gym or hiking your way through the airport concourses is a fine
approach to trying to stay true to that New Year's resolution of staying in
shape while on the road. But now that spring has sprung, or is just about to,
why not take your airport aerobics outside? There are actually many airports
with pedestrian and biking trails just steps from the terminal door or just a
short cab or bus ride away. Plan your travel day right and you may even be able
to take a walk on the wild side before you board your next
flight.
Easy-access trails
Baltimore
BWI, the
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, may be the first
commercial airport in the United States to have a dedicated hiker/biker trail.
First opened to the public in 1994, the 12.5 mile BWI Trail now encircles the
airport property. In addition to the great scenery, attractions along the way
include the historic Benson-Hammond House, home of the Anne Arundel County
Historical Society, and the Thomas A. Dixon Jr. Aircraft Observation Area, which
has restrooms, a playground, benches and signs offering aircraft identification
tips. Passengers can access the trail from the International Terminal, near
Concourse E, on the lower level next to the light rail station. For more
information see: www.bwiairport.com/around_town/the_bwi_trail or call: 1-800-I
FLY BWI (1-800-425-9294).
Portland, Ore.
In
oh-so-bike and pedestrian-friendly Portland, Oregon, travelers seeking fresh air
and exercise need only step outside the north side of the baggage claim area at
Portland International Airport (PDX) to find a path leading to a trail that
connects to a region- wide network of even more trails. Better yet, in about a
year an extension to this trail will offer access to a lovely, scenic path that
parallels the edge of the Columbia River. For more information, see
www.flypdx.com or call 1- 877-PDX-INFO.
Boston
Folks
with a little time to spare at Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) can
hop on a free bus for a 15-minute ride over to the Logan dock. While most
travelers head here to catch one of the scheduled or on-call vessels that travel
to downtown Boston and other waterfront destinations, the dock is also the
access point for the ¾-mile HarborWalk. Stroll along this waterfront path or
take a seat on one of the benches and you'll be rewarded with great views of the
downtown Boston skyline, boats from the local fishing fleet, and the industrial
plants across the harbor. A stone sculpture near the dock has an etching of the
skyline with information to help identify the landmarks in view. As a bonus
you'll also get to see the Massport Fire Rescue Boat, which docks here. To get
to Logan dock, catch the Massport shuttle bus #66 outside the arrivals area of
any terminal. For more information see: www.massport.com/logan or call:
1-800-23-LOGAN.
Houston
At Houston's William P. Hobby
Airport (HOU) www.fly2houston.com/hobbyHome passengers can access a walking path
from the main parking garage, called Parking Cents. Look for signs on the first
floor, by row G. The one-mile trail heads north from the airport, curves east,
and then doubles back.
Vancouver
At Canada's
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) head outside the International Terminal
(toward the parking structure or "parkade") and you'll end up at Chester Johnson
Park. This oasis has a walking trail that meanders through a mini-Pacific Coast
forest, three totem poles, a waterfall and a reflection pond. A five-minute cab
ride away, on Russ Baker Way, you'll find Flight Path Park which offers a
replica of the airport runway system, several historical aircraft, and great
views of airplanes taking off and landing. For more information see: www.yvr.ca
or call: (604) 207-7077.
Refuge from the runways
If leaving the
airport and stopping somewhere lovely on your way to the airport fits into your
schedule, why not take a walk on the wild side? A good number of National
Wildlife Refuges are located surprisingly close to major airports and are a
great option if you don't mind dropping a few bucks on a cab ride or if you've
still got a few hours on your rental car.
Denver
For
example, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of
the nation's largest urban wildlife refuges, is located adjacent to Denver
International Airport (DEN) (www.flydenver.com) and just eight miles from
downtown Denver at 56th Avenue and Havana St. Activities at this 27-square mile
refuge include fishing (the season begins April 15; catch & release only),
walking tours, eagle spotting tours and programs on owls, bats, insects, and
other species. The refuge also has a visitor center with a children's learning
lab, guided tram tours and interpretive trails. Everything but fishing is free.
For hours, directions, and specific information about tours and special
activities call (303) 289-0930 or see www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal.
Minneapolis-St.
Paul
Two miles from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
(MSP), (www.mspairport.com) you'll find the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge at
3815 American Blvd. in Bloomington. The site has hiking trails that range from a
half-mile loop to a 12-mile trek through floodplain forests, native prairies,
and lake marshes. Refuge residents include bald eagles, deer, turkey, cotes, red
fox, songbirds and waterfowl. Not up for a hike? There's a visitor center with
four levels of exhibits, a slide show and an overlook that offers views of the
Minnesota River Valley. Occasional van tours through the refuge are offered
during the warmer months as well. Admission to the refuge is free. For more
information see: www.fws.gov/midwest/minnesotavalley or call
952.854.5900.
San Diego
Other wildlife refuges
located near major airports include the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge,
which is composed of a salt marsh and coastal upland that provides habitat for
more than 200 species of birds that can be spotted from a variety of trails.
Access to the marsh is via the city of Chula Vista's nature center at 1000
Gunpowder Point Drive. The center has underwater viewing of green sea turtles, a
shark and ray exhibit, and outdoor aviaries with burrowing owls, egrets, herons
and eagles. The nature center is about a 10 minute drive from the San Diego
International Airport (SAN) (www.san.org) and can also be reached via a
combination of cab, trolley and free shuttle bus rides. Admission is $6 for
adults and $3 for children. For directions and more information visit:
www.fws.gov or call: (619) 409-5900.
For information about other spots in
the National Wildlife Refuge System that might be near an airport on your
itinerary, see: www.fws.gov/refuges or request a Refuge System Visitor Guide at:
1-800-344-WILD.