Now that the August heat is beating down on us, it’s important to sneak in outdoor time in a cool way. I’ve shared about some great splash pads and pools in the last three parts of this series, but another way to beat the heat is keeping in the shade.
Therefore, in part four of the Play & Splash Destinations series, I’m covering parks that have some wonderful walking trails that provide plenty of ample shade. It’s also a great idea to choose to walk in the morning or early evening hours. Most parks are open until sunset which varies from around 8:30 p.m. in early August to around 7:45 p.m. in late August. So, grab some water and the family and hit these trails!
Enjoy Walking This August With These Wonderfully Shaded & Beautiful Trails
These parks are scattered throughout Forsyth County and provide not only wonderful trails but each offers plenty of shade while walking them, as well.
Fourth of July Park
This beautiful park offers shaded paved trails complete with a creek and cute bridges. It is very stroller friendly for those with little ones. Everyone in the family will enjoy some of the interactive play options along the way, like the metal xylophone.
There is also a large playground that has options for a variety of ages. While not shaded, the park also has tennis and basketball courts. Additionally, there is a dog park.
Don’t miss checking out Historic Piney Grove School House on-site for a piece of history. The Public Safety Memorial Park at the entrance also is a wonderful tribute to fallen public safety personnel.
Location: 702 W Mountain Street, Kernersville
Miller Park
It’s hard to believe this park and its walking trails are smack dab in the middle of Winston-Salem – and the loud and heavy traffic of Stratford Road. As soon as you start walking the trails, you feel immersed in nature thanks to the beautiful and tall trees all around. There is also a beautiful creek with gorgeous stone bridges.
These walking trails provide a mix of intensity levels. Some of the trails – the ones in the middle of the park leading from the top field down to the path before the bridges do have stairs. That allows an extra workout on your walk. But, the loop around and over the bridges to the playground is still 100% paved and stroller friendly.
This park also has two playgrounds, one for younger kids and another for older kids. It has plenty of fields for all types of sports as well as bocce ball and tennis courts. There is even a horseshoe pit.
Location: 400 Leisure Lane, Winston-Salem
Historic Bethabara Park
You can enjoy history and culture while checking out a shaded, beautiful greenway at this park. The historic buildings and grounds aren’t really shaded but worth checking out on your visit. One of the greenway’s access points is behind that area.
The Bethabara Greenway stretches from Reynolda Commons on Reynolda Road at the wetlands all the way through Historic Bethabara Park past Silas Creek and ends at Brookridge Retirement Community. Part of the trail even goes up to God’s Acre.
Nature abounds on these trails, so it’s a great place for not only a fun local history lesson but also a nature lesson. You’ll find all the information you need for your trip at the Visitor’s Center.
Location: 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem
Salem Lake
Not only do these walking trails provide shade but a beautiful lakeside view, as well. There are also plenty of little creeks and water outputs on the trails. While there are some paved trails, most of them are dirt.
The trail does loop around Salem Lake in its entirety, and the overall loop is seven miles. It connects at the northern end to Salem Creek Greenway.
While this isn’t a swimming lake, there are still plenty of fun options to enjoy here; such as fishing and kayaking. There are some rules when it comes to fishing and boating at Salem Lake, so just be sure to look those up online before you go. Plus, there is also a new playground area at this park near the parking lot outside of the gate to the new marina.
Location: 815 Salem Lake Road, Winston-Salem
Be on the lookout for the fifth and final part of this Play & Splash Destinations series in next month’s issue. It’ll feature some places that are a little off the beaten path or well worth a drive as just outside of Forsyth County.
