Take the Kids: Play, hike, explore at Baileywick Park in north Raleigh

As the summer waned when my kids were little, we all got pretty antsy. With more than four years between them, my older daughter would be heading to school, leaving her younger sister at home with morning preschool to look forward to. I would always look for outdoor experiences that were different — where they could explore something new together before they went their separate ways.

Those efforts would bring me to places like Baileywick Park in north Raleigh. It wasn't on our regular circuit of parks back in the day. I went back there the other day to check it out and was reminded of what a great place this is to hang out. Here's what you can do at Baileywick Park.

Play on the playground

There's nothing revolutionary at Baileywick's playground when we compare it to new play spaces like at Barwell Road Park and Chavis Park, but it gets the job done. When I was there, kids were having a blast, going down the slides and playing hide and seek with friends and parents.

You'll find simple play pieces here with slides, monkey bars, belt and bucket swings and spring riders for the littlest kids. There are lots of benches scattered around the playground to sit. A large picnic shelter is right next to it. And there's a bathroom right next to it too.

Walk, bike or scooter along the greenway

The Baileywick Greenway Trail, which is just over half a mile, according to the city's website, runs through the park and provides a great place for young kids to bike or scooter.

Take a nature walk

With various entry points around the park, Baileywick also offers a natural trail with opportunities to get a little closer to nature. I love that people have built some lean-tos like this with branches found around the park. I can see some young kids having a lot of fun exploring these natural places.

You can enter this nature trail at different points, but this opening along the greenway, just around the corner from the playground and across from the open field described below, might be the easiest to find.

Play in the open field

Near that entry point to the nature trail, there is a sprawling open field with a couple of benches and picnic shelter that would make for a perfect spot for friends or a playgroup to gather for lunch and play. Bring some balls, a parachute and bubbles, and you have a great spot for the youngest kids to have fun. This is all very close to the playground.

Now, a word of warning on Baileywick: The city has big plans to make some additions here, including expanding the playground, but keeping the existing equipment, and adding some shade, according to the master plan.

Construction will begin in fall 2021, so be sure to check the website to make sure everything is open when you plan to go.

Baileywick Park is at 9501 Baileywick Rd., Raleigh.