With the autumn season winding down, there is still a chance to see fall foliage by joining the Berks Community Strollers on one of the group's weekly outings. Participants can expect to enjoy low-impact hikes that allow them to explore scenic locations throughout the region.

According to Emma Shealer, president, the Strollers group is an offshoot of the Berks Community Hiking Club; it offers an option to those interested in more of a leisurely stroll rather than a fast-paced hike.

"We are predominantly a senior group, but not limited to (seniors)," said Shealer. "We are open to everyone. Periodically, we have people who bring their grandchildren."

Each hike is generally held on a trail or path and lasts for about two hours. "It's about a two-hour walk - an hour in and an hour out depending on our clip and how much we (stop to) see plants, birds and trees," Shealer said, noting that at the club's most recent outing at Wyomissing Creek Park, attendees were excited to see a blue heron. "It is between 2 and 4 miles. It's a slow pace. We look for paths that are flat and have bathrooms close by."

Each walk is followed by an optional lunch at a local restaurant.

Those who would like to join the Strollers group are asked to pay a nominal yearly membership fee. Registered members take part in an annual summer hike and picnic, a Christmas hike and luncheon and a yearly overnight trip. Members receive the schedule of hikes, which are also listed in the Community Calendar section of the Community Courier.

"When we start out a quarter, we get a hike coordinator, and that hike coordinator looks for people to be hike leaders. That hike leader has to know the area and know the trail before they bring us onto it," explained Shealer.

The hike leaders also write a summary of each hike on the group's Facebook page, which is accompanied by photos. This allows members who are no longer able to participate in the hikes to learn about the outings. "There are people who still pay dues because they don't want to lose the connection," said Shealer, noting that the club currently has more than 80 members. "To keep them engaged, we write summaries of every hike, and they love reading it. They come to our summer picnic, Christmas lunch and go on our trip."

The next scheduled Berks Strollers hike will be on Saturday, Nov. 4, when the group will explore the Ontelaunee Wetlands Preserve, 1060 Mohrsville Road, Mohrsville. Shealer will be the hike leader, and a tour will be given by Jeremy Haymaker, a trails and preserve specialist with Berks Nature. "We will have a guided walk through a special place in history," noted Shealer. "The property itself used to be part of the Schuylkill Navigation System; it was better known as the Schuylkill Canal."

Shealer added that the group will meet at 10 a.m. in the site's parking lot and that the terrain will be easy to moderate.

For more information about the group, visit http://www.facebook.com/BerksCommunityStrollers. Those with questions may email eshealer@comcast.net.