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Alapocas Run State Park

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Alapocas Run State Park makes you feel like you are no longer in Delaware. The hills and rock faces are extremely out of character for our extremely flat first state, known for its beaches and farm land and chickens. But, the unique qualities of this park are what ranks it high on my bucket list of must see places!
 
 
One of the COOLEST things is that you have to walk through the abandoned Bancroft Mills to get to the trails at the entrance we chose (there are several.) This is also the reason that we had a very hard time finding where to park. The address I found online and put in the GPS was 1914 West Park Drive, Wilmington. This takes you to the park office and Blue Ball Barn. Based on the maps, you CAN access at least one trail from this location, but it wasn’t the one I wanted. I always try to hike along a creek or pond or river and some of the trails in Alapocas go right along Brandywine Creek. Based on the map, the best place to park to get there was at Bancroft Mills. The only problem was that I couldn’t find an address ANYWHERE to put in the GPS. I was frantically googling on my phone while the boys were growing more and more impatient in the back seat. If you use the address 49 Bancroft Mills Rd. Wilmington, it will take you most of the way there. You will be in a condominium complex and it will feel like you are in the wrong place, but if you keep on driving you will see a black chain-link fence with a brown sign on it. After you park, you will walk along that chain link fence toward the mill and see the opening for the pedestrian bridge that crosses the creek.
 

The mills are super cool and creepy and beautiful all at the same time. What I would give to get to go inside and explore!

 
One of the second coolest things about this park are the HUGE rock faces that line the stroller friendly paved walkway after you cross the creek. In many places, there was water pouring out of the rocks like a mini waterfall.
 

We ended up attempting to make a loop by going from the sidewalk/pathway (according the MAP) to the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail (still paved) to the Alapocas Woods Trail to the “unnamed trail.”

 
In hindsight, I don’t know if I would have attempted that with a stroller because the trails were VERY hilly and VERY rocky. Even with our “off-road” stroller it was a workout for whoever was pushing (mostly Grammy) and a bumpy ride for whoever was in it at the time. I traded off wearing the boys on my back throughout the hike based on who needed it more. Moral of the story is, if you have a stroller, stay on the paved walkways in this park!
 
 
Although we struggled a bit, and maybe even got a bit lost due to the trails not being labeled, we came upon some treasures along the way like a creek for the boys to play in, native phlox and mountain laurel in bloom and a rock sculpture that someone made.
 

I also got to share a cool plant with my boys that would normally be easily overlooked, SPICEBUSH! This is a great native, understory shrub that doesn’t really have any obvious showy features but when you crush the leaves, it releases this amazing citrusy-woodsy aroma. I challenge you to find a spicebush and take a whiff on your next adventure!

After we hiked the loop, we picked up some lunch and drove over to the Can-Do playground which is located in another area of the park. We found a great picnic table in the shade after we made a pit stop at the restrooms, and we were able to watch the boys while we ate and they played. Unfortunately, it was super hot and muggy and the majority of the playground is in full sun so I didn’t want to stay for too terribly long even though they had sunscreen on. They especially love the huge sand pit, but parents beware that it’s there and you won’t be able to keep them out of it. I wasn’t prepared for sand play, a.k.a. shoes filled with sand and sticky skin covered in sand, but they had fun so whatever.

 
If you start your Alapocos adventure at the Bancroft Mills parking lot, see if you can find all 6 scavenger hunt items!
 
1) Spicebush
2) A waterfall
3) A small house
4) A place where you can see the ground under your feet
5) Two perfectly round holes in a rock
6) The underside of a bridge
 
 

Comments

  1. Becca we absolutely loved Alopocas Run State Park and your scavenger hunt! I was trying to find a way to attach the pictures here but can't, so I'll put them on your facebook page. Keep the scavenger hunts coming, we love love love them!

    Reply

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