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Montgomery native Jennifer Griffin launches into the blueway that has become part of her regular exercise routine. Jennifer has lost 90 pounds with the help of the Autauga Creek NRT. (photo by Dave Johnson)


Alabama’s newest NRT gives health and connections to a community.


Autauga Creek A


Article by JoAnn Johnson


utauga Creek is many things to its visitors. As Alabama’s newest National Recreation


Trail, paddlers enjoy this 13-mile blue- way on kayaks, canoes, and paddle- boards. A one-mile section starting behind City Hall is also frequented  swimmers. Prattville’s “Creekwalk” footpath meanders along this mile,  take out at Doster Well Park. Autauga Creek Canoe Trail can be accessed at  something for everyone. Most users are recreational paddlers, and many  usually suitable for beginners, but also  the attention of experienced paddlers. Once past the Doster Well artesian


12 SPRING 2016 AmericanTrails.org


- terway becomes the opposite of lazy, with ever-present stumps and cypress knees to steer around.


 may well be Autauga Creek’s most frequent paddler. She uses the blue- way as an exercise track. About four times a week (weather and water levels permitting) she launches her yellow kayak from the trail access be- hind City Hall. Four miles and a quick 45 minutes later she takes her kayak out of the water at Canoe Trail Park,  biking back up to her car. A year and a half ago, Jennifer tested the waters by renting a kayak - ered that the sport was for her; so she made Autauga Creek her partner in a personal journey towards increased 


has lost 90 pounds— and competes in half marathons, Jennifer’s experi- ence illuminates the way trails can lead anyone to improved health and  hours a day to exercising, and kayak- ing is her favorite activity. Jennifer’s doctor had advised her  would help her lose weight before she could even think about running again. Having had four knee surgeries and weighing nearly 300 pounds, she  activity. Despite a fear of water, Jen- nifer became intrigued with the idea of paddling Autauga Creek. Once comfortable with her skills and capable of returning to her park- ing spot without the shuttle ride, Jen- nifer purchased a used kayak for less than $100, and it became her unlim- 


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