For nature-lovers, there is no better way to celebrate the final arrival of spring than to take a hike in the forest and observe the blooms of spring woodland wildflowers. The Spring Wildflowers Walk will take place on Saturday, May 9, at 9:30 a.m. and is free to all ages!

One of the best places to observe truly spectacular displays of these flowers is on the Devil’s Staircase trail (part of the Ice Age Trail) that runs through Riverside Park. On this walk, you will be able to see entire hillsides covered with the blooms of Dutchman’s breeches, hepaticas, violets, spring beauty, wild ginger, and anemones. After an initial steep climb up a short staircase, the trail runs across slopes adjacent to the Rock River. Trail conditions are good and the hiking difficulty is moderate. This hike is cosponsored by the Friends of Riverside Park and the Rock County Conservationists. Meet at the far north parking lot of Janesville’s Riverside Park near the shelter next to the Devil’s staircase trail. Please pre-register by May 6. Please contact the Recreation Division at 755-3030 with questions.