We recently uploaded a new video to our Wolf Creek Race Management Youtube channel highlighting Jennings Environmental Education Center in Butler from a running perspective. This is the fifth video in a series of reviews of the best running destinations in Western Pennsylvania. We will be releasing a new video on a new park or trail each week.
Jennings Environmental Education Center is most famous for its prairie and woodland trails. The 20-acre prairie is the only publicly protected prairie ecosystem in Pennsylvania. Be sure to stick to the trails through the prairie as it is one of the few remaining locations in Pennsylvania that has an Eastern Massasauga Rattle Snake population. The prairie trails are well maintained but sandy and grassy and may be muddy in wet conditions.
There are about 5 miles of trails in the park. Much of the trails in the wooded area of the park are either gravel or paved and very well maintained. A section of the 3200 mile North Country Trail also passes through the park.
Jennings is best for shorter easy trail runs as the trails are generally low difficulty. Road running isn’t much of an option here as the small park is at the intersection of Rt. 8 & Rt. 528. While Jennings may not have the number of running options like some larger parks, the scenic woodland trails and prairie are worth checking out for any runners wanting to explore another unique destination in Western Pennsylvania.
