News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Second View of Eyes on the Sky
New Date Offered for Stargazing in Hopes of No Rain
Ride Honors Educator, Trail Advocate
(October 14, 2014) – Last week, rain kept many riders away from the season ending trail ride that was to honor, local educator and trail supporter, Betty Jo “BJ” Harper, so a new ride has been scheduled for this Thursday October 16, 2014 at 7:30pm. This season-ending Trek the Trails tradition will start at Foster Park and travel to Tillman and back. Once riders return to Foster, they will be able to stargaze through telescopes provided by volunteers of the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society.
BJ passed away in May of this year and was a long-time educator and a board member of the Greenway Consortium and the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society. It was at her suggestion that the stargazing ride was added to the community bike ride schedule back in 2010.
She taught science for many years with the Fort Wayne Community Schools at Northrop and North Side High School. Known as “star-lady” to students, BJ continued to serve as a volunteer director after retirement at the planetariums at Northrop and Wayne High Schools. See attached photos
The stargazing will focus on nebulas and clusters, the Milky Way and a view of the Andromeda Galaxy.
This free 8-mile Trek the Trails ride will start at the trailhead in Foster Park by Pavilion No. 1 (at the end of the main drive in Foster Park).
For the safety of all participants, bicyclists should have the following, in order to participate in the ride:
- Front White Headlight
- Rear Red Reflector or Rear Red Flashing Light
- Helmet
Participants should wear light colored clothing, which is more visible at night.
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