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Walk Through Time, a guided-hike series with Sybil Kolon at Iron Creek Preserve

submitted by Legacy Land Conservancy

Join us for a rare opportunity to walk the land with Sybil Kolon — longtime steward, storyteller, and donor of the beautiful Iron Creek Preserve. This isn’t just a hike. It a journey through time.

Beginning August 13, Legacy Land Conservancy and Sybil Kolon invite you to experience “The Nature & History Behind Iron Creek Preserve” — a four-part guided-walk series that travels backward through the layers of human history etched into the landscape.

Over the course of four months (August 13, September 10, October 8, and November 12), Sybil will lead participants on 1.5-mile walks through the preserve, located at 11703 Noggles Rd in Manchester Township, weaving together personal stories, historical accounts, and ecological insights to illuminate how the land has been shaped — and reshaped — by those who’ve called it home.

As Sybil shared at Iron Creek Preserve June opening, “This is a dream come true that began 49 years ago. I have always wanted to connect people to nature, and that has been my focus since I retired.”

Let this be your invitation to connect — with nature, with history, and with the person whose vision and passion helped bring Iron Creek Preserve to life. Sign up for one or all of the hikes!

The Nature & History Behind Iron Creek Preserve: A Four-Part Guided-Hike Series��

Session 1 – Recent Past — Wednesday, August 13 | 2–4pm. Discover how Iron Creek Preserve came to be. Explore how the land healed after farming ended and how hands-off stewardship allowed nature to reclaim space. Witness early impacts and lessons learned.

Session 2 – Post World War II — Wednesday, September 10 | 2–4pm. From tractors to tile drains — see how Polish immigrants pursuing the American Dream transformed the land through farming, and how Legacy is working to restore it today.

Session 3 – European Settlers — Wednesday, October 8 | 2–4pm. Uncover the story of the Sutton family and other early people who lived on this land in the 1800s. We’ll dig into plat maps, local lore, and visible clues in the soil.

Session 4 – Glaciers & Early People — Wednesday, November 12 | 2–4pm. Travel back over 10,000 years to when glaciers shaped the land and Paleo-indians roamed. We’ll reflect on the deeper human-land connection throughout this period, how the complex relationships of indigenous people, early explorers, and European settlers altered the balance, and the work ahead to restore harmony.

Walks are free to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit https://legacylandconservancy.org/events/ and scroll down to “The Nature & History Behind Iron Creek Preserve: A Four-Part Hike Series”, click on the hike, then click on “”). Questions? Call 734-302-5263 or email��info@legacylandconservancy.org.

Each session lasts about two hours and covers about 1.5 miles of trail. Expect uneven terrain; please wear appropriate footwear. Bring water, curiosity, and your love of the land. Spots are limited. Don’t miss this chance to walk, wonder, and witness the layers of legacy at Iron Creek.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.