The Medina County Parks District is hosting a fall hiking program aimed at getting residents to trek its many trails throughout the county.

This is the third year the district has hosted the Trekking Through Autumn self-guided hiking program. Those who hike 12 of the 13 district trails throughout the county by the end of fall receive a reward.

“It reaches a lot of people who may not know all the parks, based on where they live,” said Jill Teubel, public information manager for the park district. “If people only go to the parks in their neighborhood, this gives them an opportunity to check out other parts of the county that they may not know exist.”

A checklist of the different trails can be found on the park district’s Web site, Medinacountyparks.com. Completed forms can be brought into the Wolff Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Township, or at the park’s offices at 6364 Deerview Lane, Lafayette Township. Medina County residents who complete the challenge will receive a free backpack for their first year or a pin for subsequent years. Deadline for receiving the awards this year is Feb 28, 2010.

Contact Maria Kacik at (330) 721-4049 or mkacik@ohio.net.