Just Don’t Touch My Snacks: This Trash Panda is Welcome at Metro Parks Winter Hikes

The larger-than-life raccoon made his first appearance at the kickoff for the winter hike series. He was bold enough, or relaxed enough, to settle into the comfort of the sloped back, wide seat, and broad armrests of an Adirondack chair next to the campfire.

It was, perhaps, the best seat in the house, well positioned for roasting marshmallows destined for s’mores. He was counting on having at least three or four of the sweet treats, before the night was over. He considered digging through the trash for castaways later that night, once the park was cleared of visitors.

“…and you’re okay with this?” – one might wonder aloud. As soon as he entered the park I was met with curious glances from strangers and knowing looks from friends. Yep! I’m totally okay with it. Often, I’m highly entertained.

It turns out that people engage differently with a hiker who takes on the persona of a mischievous raccoon. Climbing into this year’s costume, my husband becomes instantly more approachable, and he is friendly to begin with! He’s comfortable in his own skin and can strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He has a big heart and it shows. The comedic effect of the costume is amplified by how natural, and at ease, he shows up in it.

There’s something about a grown man being bold enough to show up week after week in fully activated ‘Trash Panda’ mode that elicits big smiles, soft chuckles, and requests to appear in strangers’ selfies. Why does he do it? Because there’s enough seriousness in the world; we could all use a bit more joy and levity.

This is especially true during the winter months. Dark skies don’t bother this furry and friendly raccoon – he’s ready for whatever the next adventure brings to the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. He’s no newcomer to these winter hikes, hosted in December, January, and February every year.

I mentioned that the raccoon has a mischievous streak. He comes by his “Trash Panda” nickname honestly, being known to climb headfirst into trash bins. He’s also been known to display disappointment with the ‘carry in, carry out’ trash program at some parks. Prairie Oaks, Rocky Fork, Scioto Grove and Walnut Woods require visitors to carry out any trash they carry into the park.

“This principle is fairly self explanatory, although unfortunately improper disposal of waste is common in park spaces. While some parks do have trash receptacles, other parks are considered “take in, take out” where you are responsible for your own waste disposal. These parks will have brown paper bags available for waste removal. This principle is largely focused on backpacking and camping practices.” (Metro Parks, Leave No Trace)

Many parks, nationally, have implemented such policies in the spirit of conservation, operational efficiency, and public awareness. Less time spent managing trash allows staff to focus on their other responsibilities, including staffing the winter hikes. This doesn’t appease a hungry raccoon. But that’s kind of the point, so let’s keep it that way.

This raccoon is playful and well-liked by the community. “I remember you from last week’s hike!” and “I saw you at Blacklick, didn’t I?” and “You were at all the hikes last year!” are set on repeat. Our hiking friends are accustomed to his antics and the attention they elicit. It was a snow-covered world in Central Ohio this year, so there was no shortage of shenanigans going on.

Hiking through the parks with a costumed character on my arm helps me see the parks through fresh eyes. The photographer and storyteller in me kicks in, so I’m planning my blog post even as we’re climbing to the ridge at the top of a steep hill, trudging through a foot of snow, or looking at our reflections in a pond.

There’s a contemplative side to my husband, so this raccoon isn’t all mischief. He has the spirit of a nature conservationist and can be found with a book of nature writing in his hands. When we visited Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, he brought along his copy of Idle Weeds by David Rains Wallace.

“The ridge might even be said to have a soul, at least a place that is always beautiful, from which beauty radiates. There is a little grove of sugar maples on the upper west slope just below the spring-wildflower-covered mound. The maples are young, no more than sixty years old, but something about the place makes them seem venerable….A quiet emerald light plays on the slope in summer, and in autumn the crisp sunbeams that stream through the golden canopy make the grove sparkle like cloisonné. In winter the trees stand as gracefully against the snow as in those leafless woods through which knights hunt wild boar in a medieval book of hours….Other tree species will move in as the maples grow older….The trees will die, the slope will be leveled by erosion, and the ridge will start all over again as a sandbank on some distant shore.” ~ David Rains Wallace

Wallace lived on the north slope of Chestnut Ridge from 1975 to 1977 while working as a public information specialist for Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. His book, Idle Weeds: The Life of an Ohio Sandstone Ridge, is based on the journal he kept while walking the property and is dedicated “to Betsy, who was there.” (beesfirstappearance)

There are so many amazing parks on the ‘punch card’ that hikers carry with them on their adventures. We opted for earning digital badges this year, which meant we had more time at the parks and less time hunting for my card before we could get out of the house or the car or my bag. Inspired to tell a story, I dream up things for my husband to do, often in line with the character for that season. It was especially fun imagine how a raccoon (or a fox in years past) would be received by the livestock on a working historical farm. (Note: No animals were harmed in the documenting of our adventures.)

We spend a lot of time at the parks and there is something new to discover every time. Over the years I’ve been accompanied by Smoky Bear, a fox, the infamous Waldo (you found him!), a bison, and more. Yukon Cornelius came along for the hikes one winter. Along with this cast of characters comes some unexpected conversations, about animal behavior, where to buy such a costume, and where he’s been (Waldo, that is) all this time.

Maybe it’s because we’re safely within the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks – I don’t let my husband take me out to lunch or grocery shopping in his adult-sized onesie – but we’ve never encountered hostility or rudeness when he’s in costume. There was one incident that involved a playful tug of the raccoon’s tail, but it was all in good fun.

Is all this an act of defiance, a tiny rebellion against monotony? Maybe. It certainly breathes new life into what is already a rewarding and highly anticipated hike series. Does he like the positive, uplifting, humor-filled attention. Yep, and I do too. As I mentioned in the title of this blog, I welcome this mischievous critter on our winter hikes. I just ask that he uses some restraint and doesn’t try to steal my snacks!

At the end of a long day of hiking at multiple parks, when he climbed his way out of the trash panda suit my husband emerged, ready for the next adventure. On the way home from an official hike we stopped at Hayden Run Falls. The ice and snow were even more stunning because the sun was shining. Soon we’ll be back to the Metro Parks for spring and summer adventures. For now, we bundle up and get out there! That Trash Panda comes along with us, whether Craig is in costume or not.