FRANKLIN - What began as three acres of pasture has become one of Delaware County’s most unusual community projects: a public trail where visitors are encouraged to snack as they stroll.
The idea for Franklin’s edible walking trail took root in 2016, when land from the Walter Rich estate was donated to the village. Looking for ways to expand the appeal of the community park, residents proposed a path lined not only with native plants but also with fruit-bearing shrubs and trees.
By the summer of 2017, the first section of trail opened along the western edge of the property. To reach it, visitors cross a footbridge - built with help from the O’Connor Foundation and a private donor - over a marshy stretch that often stays wet through spring.
Former Mayor Tom Briggs presided over the ribbon cutting that August, during Franklin’s New Old Franklin Day. Since then, local groups and individuals have continued to add to the landscape, donating plants, labor and expertise.
The trail is designed to do more than beautify the pasture. It offers mild exercise, a chance to learn about indigenous species, and the simple pleasure of tasting berries or herbs plucked along the way.
The project keeps growing, season by season.
