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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.

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Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
, Go Ask Mom editor
RALEIGH, N.C.Editor's note: An oldie, but goodie Go Ask Mom post from 2017.

"Where's the playground?"

That's what my younger daughter asked as we parked the car and started to explore Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve in north Raleigh. That was my fault. I called this tranquil spot, surrounded on three sides by the Neuse River, a "park" when it really is a nature preserve.

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.

When we were there, we saw plenty of visitors unloading their bikes for a ride on the greenway. But, we were there for a half mile walk along the preserve's wood line. We'd just come from Bakery La Dolce Vita, so we all had some sugar to run off.

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.

For more information about these programs, call the preserve staff, who are based at Raleigh's Durant Nature Park, at 919-870-2871 or go to Horseshoe Farm's website.

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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