It feels like spring, but it's phony. Here's how to enjoy 'fools spring' in Topeka

Evert Nelson, Topeka Capital-Journal
·3 min read

Topeka is in that awkward time of year when the weather is surprisingly nice.

The high temperature for most of this week was above 60 degrees, and then it snowed Friday morning.

Some refer to this time as "fools spring," which in an internet meme is one of the 11 seasons Midwesterners experience.

Jacob Schwartz and Katelyn Cofer take advantage of the warm weather and wind Wednesday to fly kites at Lake Shawnee.
Jacob Schwartz and Katelyn Cofer take advantage of the warm weather and wind Wednesday to fly kites at Lake Shawnee.

The full list of seasons according to the meme is as follows:

  • Winter.

  • Fools Spring (that's us right now).

  • Second Winter.

  • Spring of Deception.

  • Third Winter.

  • Mud Season.

  • Actual Spring.

  • Summer.

  • Fall Fall.

  • Second Summer.

Children use the playground set at Tin Man Circle on the east side of Lake Shawnee on Wednesday evening while temperatures were in the high 50s.
Children use the playground set at Tin Man Circle on the east side of Lake Shawnee on Wednesday evening while temperatures were in the high 50s.

Topekans find outdoor activities

From fishing to frisbee golfing, locals could be seen having fun in the sun this week.

At Lake Shawnee, many found the warmer weather perfect for flying a kite or taking the kids to the playground.

Mindy Ridgway did just that Wednesday as she sat to watcher her 5-year-old son Jeremy have fun on the equipment at Tin Man Circle.

"He was excited to come out here," Ridgway said. "He's running and playing. His favorite is the big slides."

Mind the mud

Those hoping to hit the trails might take a minute to check conditions before heading out.

With overnight temperatures still falling below the freezing point, moisture in the ground remains high and without enough sunlight and wind to dry off the trails, mud can form fast.

This cycle is known as freeze-thaw and is to be expected in coming months.

"It took so long for things to dry out here," said Shawnee County Parks and Recreation district manager Tom Hammer. "Often times, we would still see a fair amount of heavy use on the soft surface trails and that does a fair amount of damage over time."

Before heading out, you can use the app RainoutLine to get a preview of local trail conditions for Kaw River State Park, Skyline Park and Perry Lake. Members of trail maintenance crews update the conditions regularly giving you an easy way to know if the conditions are OK or should be avoided.

The saying, 'Leave a mark, leave the park' is another way to know if the trails should be used.

Paved paths in Shawnee County

Choosing to use the miles of concrete paths around Shawnee County is a great way to get outside and avoid any hassle with possible muddy conditions.

With the completion of the Deer Creek Extension last year, the Shunga and Landon Trail system touches nearly every part of town — adding to the combined 31.64 of paved paths maintained by Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.

The trail systems are increasingly used as a transportation network as more than half of the total 60 miles of trails are now paved.

Too soon to garden?

As any farmer knows, there's always work to be done to ensure good crops later in the year. This applies for your home garden, too.

Now is a great time to test your soil and check your compost pile. If you've been adding to the pile throughout winter, it's probably ready to be turned and mixed up.

While it's warm out, consider watering your perennials and trees. Be cautious of overnight freezing temperatures and make sure there is enough time for a slow, steady drink of water to sink in.

Planning your garden beds and working on hardscape is another option.

Here are more useful tips for early spring gardening.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: See how Topekans are enjoying 'fools spring' with warmer temperatures