Huntley Meadows Park

Stroller walking at Huntley Meadows Park is exercise plus. Not only is there a smooth, mostly level walking path to enjoy your stroller walk or hike, you get to explore the wetlands. (Bikes and jogging are prohibited in some areas of the park.)The trail surface is mixed gravel and boardwalk, and goes out through the wetlands portion of the park. We saw an egret, tadpoles, a big fish, geese, and ducks. There are several observation platforms and plenty of benches if you need to take a break and rest little legs or nurse a cranky baby.

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Bringing Stories to Life with At This Stage

When I arrived, all the teachers were wearing capes, the kids were all in costume, and everyone was laughing. Creative chaos was everywhere to be seen. Piles of costumes that the kids had set aside after trying on one identity or another were a colorful counterpoint to the organized activity- Rock Paper Scissors Duels- going on in the circle. A clay building activity was on hold at the craft table, and the results of the earlier Monster Mask activity (a tie-in to one of the books they read) were everywhere.

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Bridge crossing on the Lee District Park Trail

10+ Ways to Enjoy The Area On Foot

If you are like me, you prefer to get your “cardio” done in the wild. I’ll happily walk miles, even pushing my ridiculously heavy kid in a stroller, but ten minutes on a treadmill and I feel like I’m enduring Medieval Torture. With the beautiful weather we’ve been having lately and all the spring flowers on display, walking, running, or biking around the area is a no-brainer. But if you’re new to the area or like variety, you’re on the hunt for good places to Get Your Walk (Run, or Bike) on! Here’s a list of area trails and self-guided walking tours. As we gear up for the March for Babies, we’ll be featuring more in-depth information about area walks.

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Hidden Oaks Nature Center: Nature Playce

Once you’ve had a chance to explore the truly awesome indoor exhibits at the nature center, be sure to head outdoors and let your kids explore Nature Playce- the interactive outdoor exhibit. They’ll dig. They’ll jump. They’ll climb. They’ll compare how big they are to how big the dinosaurs were. They’ll take turns. They’ll have adventures and rescue the downtrodden. This shady, fenced, all natural playspace is exactly right.

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