Leaves provide luscious color to many of our homes and stores. After highlighting their display of life, the hassle of cleaning the leftovers can be pain we all have to burden. However, who says it’s all a chore with no fun? This Saturday, Nov. 8, Pathways for Radford is holding its Sixth Annual “Rake Leaves, Eat Pie,” down at Wildwood Park.

Raking leaves off the nature trails through Wildwood Park will help to ensure paths will be less slippery during the winter months. Elizabeth Altieri, a member and event organizer for this Saturday has been working with Pathways for Radford with her husband for years now. “We support all things green … environmentally and nature,” she said. After six years, the event has gained local support from nature enthusiast residents. Around 25-40 people show up to pave the way to mother nature’s eloquent scenery.

After clearing the paths, everyone gathers for festive pie eating. Usually 10-15 pies are readily made for everyone to share. “Pumpkin pie pecan crunch” is Altieri’s favorite. It seems to hit the spot after an hour of raking leaves. Other refreshments, such as hot chocolate, coffee, donuts, and other heart-warming goods, are supplied by Pathways for Radford prior to the raking.

This event comes as the last of the season for this busy group. Earlier this summer, they opened a new mountain bike trail in Radford on July 19. Throughout the summer they hold an educational forum and lectures on nature at the Outdoor Classroom at Wildwood Park. Much of their work takes them through the commonly used Riverway path that extends from the Dedmon Center, through Bisset Park and into Wildwood Park. Their goals are clear and simple, to educate and promote maintenance and use of all trailways that run through Radford.

Wheatley Stefan is an intern at the New River Voice.