NORTH ANDOVER –– The Friends of Harold Parker announce the eighth running of the Amazing Berry Pond Scramble! The race will take place rain or shine at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 8. Berry Pond is located on Middleton Road, North Andover in DCR’s Harold Parker State Forest, a portion of which is located in North Reading.
The Scramble is a 5.6K run/walk on forest trails starting and finishing at Berry Pond, the forest’s popular swimming area. Everyone is welcome; walkers and runners alike, as well as well-behaved, leashed dogs with up to date licenses. Past participants have described the course as challenging, but they really enjoyed its beauty and the small scale of the event.
Trails are not suitable for strollers. The event is limited to 200 entrants, so all who are interested are encouraged to pre-register at berrypond.racewire.com.
Prizes will be awarded for the top finishers, three males and three females in three categories: Kids 15 and under, individuals 40 and under; and individuals 41 and older. Everyone is invited to stay and picnic at the pond. As in years’ past, FoHP will provide free hotdogs and water.
All proceeds benefit The Friends of Harold Parker, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing all the natural and historic resources in Harold Parker State Forest. Since inception in 2015, FoHP has cleared and marked trails, planted native flowers at Field Pond, built bridges and boardwalks, installed informational kiosks and compiled a comprehensive map of the forest.
They also organize regular work parties and clean ups and have collected truckloads of trash and invasive plants. To learn more, visit the website at friendsofharoldparker.org.