August 28, 2016

Whether you’re a novice walker seeking to traverse a scenic vista or a veteran runner looking for steep, challenging terrain, Natural Lands Trust says it has both options covered – as well as a few others.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, the nonprofit is hosting its Third Annual ChesLen Chase for Open Space at its 1,263-acre ChesLen Preserve in Newlin Township. Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to choose from three courses – a 10K run, a 5K run, and a two-mile fun run-walk, according to a NLT press release.

Proceeds from ChesLen Chase for Open Space will benefit Natural Lands Trust’s ChesLen Preserve, one of the largest private nature preserves in southeastern Pennsylvania. This picturesque open space features sweeping agricultural fields, densely wooded stream corridors, and rare serpentine barrens.

Experienced runners will enjoy the challenging 10K run across open fields, dense woodlands, marshy wetlands, steep hills, and through a creek crossing. The 5K runners will follow a similarly rugged trail while the two-mile participants will take in the scenery on a more leisurely course through meadows and farm fields.

All participants can celebrate after the race with food, craft beer, and live music. The event’s sponsor, Victory Brewing Company, will provide one free BBQ sandwich and one free beer (age 21 and older) to all participants. Additional sandwiches and beverages will be available for purchase from Victory’s iconic “Brew Pub on Wheels,” the release said.

Stay at the party for the awards ceremony, where the top overall male and female finishers and the top three male and female finishers in six age groups – 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and up – for both the 5K and 10K events will receive prizes.

Preregistration (before Oct. 7) is $40 for the 10K race, $30 for the 5K race, and $20 for the 2-mile fun run-walk. Kids ages 12 and under are free but must be registered to participate. Members of Natural Lands Trust receive an additional $5 discount. Learn more and register online at www.natlands.org/cheslenchase.

All registrants for the races will receive an exclusive race T-shirt. (Preregistration is required to guarantee shirt size and availability.) Pretzel City Sports will provide professional timing services and instant results for 10K and 5K runners.

The ChesLen Preserve, located at 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pa., 19320, is open to the public, free of charge, during daylight hours. With eight miles of trails, it’s a popular destination for hikers, runners, birders, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and families.

Natural Lands Trust, the region’s oldest and largest conservation organization, owns and manages a network of 42 nature preserves totaling more than 22,000 acres. It spans 13 counties in two states and includes virtually every major ecosystem type in the region, according to its website.

 

 

“Remembering Lukens Steel,” a photography exhibition that memorializes Coatesville’s industrial landscape, is on display at the Lukens Executive Office Building through Sept. 23.

A free public reception to meet the artists is planned for Thursday, Sept. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served, according to a press release from Art Partners Studio.

“Remembering Lukens Steel” showcases photographs by Karen Commings, Vincent Feldman, Annette Garthwaite, Woody Garthwaite, Richard Harrison, R. Andrew Hoff, Irene VanBuskirk, and Theodore Van Pelt. The photographers were granted special access to the former Lukens Mill 120 adjacent to the grounds of the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum.

The site opened the door to the rich, unaltered Victorian interiors of historic family residences and views of iconic steel structures, including the Tridents (trees) from the Twin Towers in New York City and nuclear submarine sonar sphere that were fabricated in Coatesville, the release said.

Led by University of the Arts master lecturer in photography Vincent Feldman, workshop participants and exhibiting artists are members of the Harrisburg Camera Club. “Getting into the mill site was an unprecedented gift – it offered us unparalleled visual material and multiple opportunities for historical documentation and artistic interpretation,” Feldman said in the release. “We are already looking forward to returning for another workshop in May 2017.”

For information about spring 2017 photography and painting workshops at Lukens, call 610-384-3030 or stop by the office at 545 East Lincoln Highway, 2nd floor, in Coatesville. For a listing of current Art Partners Studio art education programs and exhibitions visit www.artpartnersstudio.org.