Joshua Mabry, Campus Carrier Asst. Sports Editor
With warmer spring days in sight, Berry students who are not from Rome should take full advantage of all the outdoor recreation activities, outdoor sports and other fun happenings that the Rome and the northwest Georgia areas have to offer.
The Heritage Park Trail is a great four and a half-mile biking and walking trail that starts behind State Mutual Stadium, home of the Rome Braves. After leaving the ballpark area, the trail runs through Ridge Ferry Park and then comes into downtown, crossing the Robert Redden Footbridge (American flag bridge) before ending. The trail runs parallel to the Oostanaula River, making for lots of picturesque nature.
Paris Lake, located on the Rome campus of Georgia Highlands College, is another wonderful place to bike or walk. Georgia Highlands is located approximately 20 minutes south of Berry on U.S. Route 27.
There is a two-mile gravel walking and running trail that surrounds the lake that is the perfect place to get some exercising in. Just off of the lake trail, there is a trail that goes down to a wetlands area that has a boardwalk that goes over the wetlands, which makes for another excellent place to embrace nature.
While there are plenty of spots in Rome to enjoy nature through biking or walking, if a person is willing to travel, they should check out the Silver Comet Trail. The nearly 62-mile trail runs from just northwest of Atlanta to the Alabama state line in Polk County, the county south of Floyd County.
There are trailheads in Cedartown and Rockmart in Polk County as well as several more throughout northwest metro Atlanta.
If someone is looking to fish, kayak, canoe or paddleboard during the spring, they should check out Rome’s three rivers. There’s nothing like being by or on the river on a warm spring day.
Spring sports are another way that Berry students can explore the outdoors in Rome. The Rome Braves, Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, play at State Mutual Stadium from early April through early September. Although most of the season does not line up with the semester calendar, there are still a few weeks in both spring semester and fall semester that Braves baseball can be enjoyed.
Rome Braves games are super fun, offering fans a chance to see potential future major leaguers play for an affordable price with tickets ranging from $6-12. The Rome Braves will open the season at home on April 11 at 7 p.m.
If someone needs their spring sports fix now, Berry’s baseball, softball and men’s and women’s lacrosse seasons are currently underway. The baseball team will face Emory on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Berry. The softball team will have its home opener on March 1 against DePauw University with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
The women’s lacrosse team will host Life University today at 6 p.m., while the men’s lacrosse team will have its home opener on March 16 against Marymount University.
If students are looking to actually participate in non-intercollegiate sports, they should consider intramurals. Tennis, frisbee and softball are all coming up soon. Registration is due on March 5 for all of these activities.
If someone is not interested in recreation or sports, picking strawberries at the LCCL Strawberry Farm in Rome is a spring event that is a must. The farm is typically open from mid-April to mid-June, according to its website.
The strawberries at LCCL are the freshest and tastiest strawberries. Don’t forget to try the homemade strawberry ice cream while you are there. It is the best strawberry ice cream you will ever eat.
There are great events, such as outdoor concerts and the Rome Shakespeare Festival, that usually happen during the spring months as well. These make for the perfect chance to enjoy the weather and take part in Rome’s arts and culture.
Rome and the surrounding area offer endless options for students during the spring month. There is something for everyone to do and enjoy. It is time to get out and enjoy the area.
