Family fun at Brady's Run

CHIPPEWA - Around and around they go, and no one needs to stop until they're satisfied.
Hundreds of family fitness seekers have discovered Brady's Run Park, hidden in a valley between Chippewa and Bridgewater in Beaver County. With activities geared for the family, the 2,100-acre park is seeing increased year-round use and is expanding its facilities.
The entire family can get physically fit at the park. While grandma and grandpa are at the indoor walking track, Mom can play tennis and the kids can spend time at the indoor ice skating rink or the soon-to-be-built outdoor inline skating area. If Dad doesn't like any of those options, he can take his pick of horseshoes, deck hockey, fishing or basketball.
Exercise for free: The park is one of three administered by Beaver County, and the many sports activities are free or available at low cost to all comers. One of the most popular is the free indoor walking track that surrounds the tennis courts. On a recent weekday, 672 walkers registered for their daily dose of exercise.
Colleen Lehman of Chippewa uses the track for rehabilitation. "I come here five times a week, and I love it. I had surgery on my arm recently, and I can use weights as I walk. It's a great opportunity to build back up."
Betty Tigner of Chippewa would rather get her exercise outdoors, but cold, heat, humidity or rain sometimes drive her to the climate-controlled indoor facility. "I'm not a regular, but sometimes I'm here every day, depending on the weather."
The track, which surrounds a block of four tennis courts, is one-eighth of a mile and has separate lanes for walkers and runners. Locker rooms and showers are available at no charge.
Right next door is the ice arena, a popular Beaver County fixture since 1976. The arena has a full schedule of lessons, hockey leagues, skating clubs and public sessions for adults and children. Special ice time is available for home schoolers, Special Olympics participants, even college students seeking course credit. The Tiny Tots class accepts children as young as 2, and the Friday morning adult class includes a coffee and doughnut session. Open stick time allows hockey players extra practice alternatives, and freestyle sessions give the same opportunity to figure skaters.
Something for everyone: Outdoors at the park, a deck hockey area, inline skating course and basketball courts are to be built this summer next to the outdoor tennis courts. Five softball fields, one baseball field, a set of horseshoe pits and a horse rink are also available. For nature lovers there is a hilltop arboretum in the park, and a one-mile walking trail. The Beaver Valley Rifle and Pistol Club maintains a range at the park.
Boating and fishing are popular summertime activities at the stocked lake, and throughout the winter, ice fisherman continue to plague the fish. Acting Director Jack Hilfiger says swimming is no longer allowed because of silting problems, but plans have been made to rehabilitate the lake within the next two years so swimming can resume.
Twenty picnic shelters and a lodge are available for rent in the park. The lodge is popular for wedding receptions and family events, and is the site of the annual Maple Syrup Festival held the first weekend of April. The Beaver County Conservation District puts on the festival, which includes maple sugaring demonstrations, an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, Civil War re-enactments, a crafts fair and entertainment.
Year round, Brady's Run offers enough activity to satisfy every family member, no matter what their athletic interest.