Take the Kids: Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve offers a peaceful place to take a hike
Looking for peace and relaxation? Head to this north Raleigh nature preserve.
Posted — Updated"Where's the playground?"
There's no big plastic and metal play structure here, but after a little bit of grumbling, she ran ahead of me - finding stumps to hop across, a log to balance on and a few mud puddles to run around and jump into.
The 146-acre former farm sits just off Louisburg Road. A master plan eventually calls for amenities such as a bird trail, butterfly meadow and small amphitheater. But, right now, it mostly includes lots of open space, a trail and a connector to the Neuse River section of the greenway.
The trail is natural - grass with some tree roots sticking up, but a jogging stroller could easily move around the roots and other bumps. As I walked along taking pictures, my kids ran ahead of me and behind me, laying down briefly on a blanket to soak in some of the sun. It was a former farm, so there's a large open field to explore. Tall grasses make for a fun sensory experience for little ones too, though watch out for ticks.
"It's just a really great place - that field - for kite flying, Frisbee throwing, bubble blowing," said Amy Corbally, who manages both Durant Nature Park and Horseshoe Farm. "There are lots of opportunities to burn a lot of energy for the little ones."
If you go, there's a restroom here - but no running water. So bring your own water and hand sanitizer and prepare for the facilities - a composting toilet.
We spent about an hour here. Paired with a Raleigh parks program (when they're offered), a picnic and a little imagination, you could easily spend much of a morning or afternoon here.
"It's great for wildlife enthusiasts and for anybody trying to grab some peace and relaxation," Corbally said.
One word if you go: Be sure to keep dogs on their leash. Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve is at 2900 Horseshoe Farm Rd.
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