Every Thursday I will post a “throwback” about a location we have already visited so that all of our adventures are documented here! Today’s gem is Brown’s Branch Park.
This place is what I like to call the full package. Anytime we go on an adventure outdoors I look for a few specific things:
1. A loop trail. I don’t like walking back the same way we came so I always check the trail maps ahead of time to find a nice loop if possible. There were no trail maps available in this case, so we didn’t know where we would end up, but that’s kind of fun too! The trail here is more like a crescent shape. It opens to a field on the other end, but you can still get back to the parking area without retracing your steps so it counts!
2. Water. Where there’s water, there’s wildlife. There is generally more to see around ponds, lakes, creeks and wetlands. There’s also more mosquitoes too usually, so beware 🙁 We were lucky and had no issues with them the time we went.
3. A boardwalk. This one goes hand in hand with water, but it’s nice to be able to walk out over the water and look down rather than see it from afar.
4. A playground. Not all of our adventures include a playground, but when they do it’s a bonus. Brown’s Branch Park has an awesome playground that is extensive, clean and well maintained.
**Mom Tip: Always keep an old towel in your car for back of the car diaper changing, impromptu swims or wiping off wet playground equipment. We usually go early in the morning and everything is always covered in dew.**
We were ill prepared for what this park had to offer. When we came upon this picturesque creek with crystal clear water that just so happened to be only about a foot deep, we knew we had to let D go in it. We had no extra clothes with us, so he had to swim in his undies. We visited toward the end of summer, so it was warm enough for a splash. I imagine will we be making a repeat trip (or many repeat trips next summer) because it is the perfect place for little ones to swim, and it is great for dogs too! If you go when it’s warm, make sure you take a swimsuit, change of clothes and towels for the kiddos.
The trail featured beautiful boardwalks and was probably less than a mile long. I would consider it to be stroller friendly, especially for jogging strollers, but not necessarily super handicap accessible because the trail is narrow and bumpy in some places.
Brown’s Branch Park also features a picnic area, horseshoe pits, open fields for sports and plenty of parking. If you are looking for a location to do outdoor family photos, this is a GREAT spot!! I can’t say enough good things about this place, add it to YOUR adventure bucket list!
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