It’s not just a Local Yokel that knows and experiences the outdoors in the area parks….

You can experience them with me!

All the townships in Chester County have their own flavor of community parks with  walking trails, preservation areas, soccer fields (especially full on Saturdays!), tennis courts, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc. There are also beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania; and I can’t forget the one National Park in Chester County.

I enjoy experiencing the different flavor of the parks in the surrounding areas of the Delaware Valley and try to change the place for my walks.

My favorite parks in CHESTER COUNTY:

Downingtown Borough: Kerr Park occupies a lot of space in my childhood memory bank. The tennis courts are still there that I used to keep myself occupied while “Mom” played. Kerr Park is where many of the festivities for Good Neighbor Day take place. The All-Abilities Playground is also a big hit!

East Brandywine Township: Community Park. They just added more fields and the walking trails go on and on... This is where I walk most often, due to convenience to my house :) You can catch entire families exercising and playing ball together many evenings. The energy is phenomenal. We often chase the ball around play tennis here.

East Caln Township: Bell Tavern Park is the place to be on hot weather days! The playground is one of the best in the area (even with sprinklers during the heat) and picnic tables come in handy. There is a sand volleyball court, roller hockey rink, tennis courts, and walking trail as well.

East Goshen Township: The East Goshen Township Park is located off of Paoli Pike and spans for 55 acres. They have tennis, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, putting green, totlot/playground, fitness trail.

I found myself during my walk removing my i-pod headphones to listen to the birds singing to me! They have a bird watching guide and preservation area around the fitness trail.

French Creek State Park: French Creek is our local get-away spot. Camping is offered and you can feel like you are miles away! Home to two lakes and 40 miles of hiking trails. There is a Frisbee golf course, pavilions, and geocaching available.

Hibernia Park (County) Park: Over 900 acres of trails, woodlands, fishing, picnics, camping – PLUS a 90 acre lake for small fishing and boating. There is a historic mansion, Hibernia Mansion (Built around 1744) which is also located in the park and available for limited tours.

Marsh Creek Lake State Park: This park includes 1,705 acres which includes a 535-acre Lake. Windsurfing, Boating, Kayaking, Fishing, Swimming are all some of the highlights of the park.

(An interesting tidbit about Marsh Creek Lake State Park.  My grandmother’s family home is somewhere in the bottom of the lake – taken over by imminent domain.)

Tredyffrin Township: Their parkland has over 345 acres dedicated for parks. Wilson Park (90 acres) is located in Chesterbrook and has an All Abilities Playground, putting green, volleyball, and all sorts of sports fields.

Wait! You can’t leave the Local Yokel Tour of Chester County Parks yet……

Chester County also boasts to be the home of The Valley Forge National Park, one of the most famous parks in the world.

Video Courtesy of MrKlaffdotcom

Valley Forge Park not only memorializes the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation during the encampment of 1777, but there are stories told, tours given, re-enactments lived, and collections displayed. 

Valley Forge Park includes cell-phone guided tours, and also story telling benches (a storyteller begins telling a 5 minute story when one approaches the bench), trolley tours, after hour tours, Guided Walks, Gallery Talks, Vault Tours, and special events taking place year round. During your visit you most likely will spot at the least deer, and quite possibly other wildlife including fox.

Trail System – Hiking, Horseback Riding, Biking, you can do it all within the Valley Forge Park at different designated areas. 28 miles of authorized trails are located within the park boundaries. There are 19 miles of marked hiking trails designated just for hiking.

The beauty of Chester County abounds when you take a look at the parks. The rolling hills are home to parks that make you feel like you are in the deep forest (French Creek); relax by the water and sunbathe like you are on the beach (Marsh Creek); and get your fill of history lessons while going back in time (Valley Forge).

Chester County, Pennsylvania, a great place to call home, abounding in parks and outdoor recreation.

Are you relocating to Chester County, Pennsylvania?

I’d love to help.

Bike ? Walk ? Run ? Jog ? Fish ? Swim ?  Geocache? You just have to check out the Struble Trail in Chester County, PA!

I will get some pictures to accompany this blog, but its on my mind to get the blog done tonight :)

This paved trail is currently 5.2 miles total round trip with a few segments branching off in different areas.  I actually like to park at The Ponds, or back in my day, called "Kardon Park", in Downingtown.  There is a paved trail that leads to Rt 282 (Creek Rd) where you can link to the Struble Trail.  Part of the trail runs alongside the Brandywine Creek and there are even a couple of areas I've seen people fishing (artificial lure trout) and swimming.  There is even a robe to swing from located on the traill side of the Shady Acres Campground!  I'm not sure if its officially permitted, but there is a place my father and friends used to jump off a bridge into the creek - I still see kids do it today - not something I endorse or would try!!!

Hopefully the future plans for Struble Trail happen sooner rather than later. It is planned to be 16 miles in length, extending to Honeybrook through Glenmoore and Lyndell, passing by Springton Manor Farm.

There are a lot of trees (yeah for shade at this time of year) and fairly flat.  I'm sure the advanced cycler would not chose this trail as their exclusive ride, however, there are endless options of different extensions you could take from the path to give some hilly challenges.

If you go to the trail when its not raining or snowing, you are guaranteed to see some people passing.  Its one of the most used trails around for bikers, walkers, joggers, and talkers!  It's also very welcoming to the four legged creatures on leashes, of course.  I enjoy seeing so many people enjoying the outdoors, being together, and just being active! 

If you like Geocaching (a newfound fun for me!) there are quite a few finds located on and around this path.

Today, as we got our bikes off the car rack, a pack of about 25 professional riders zoomed by.... we are a part of the other extreme.... barely making it the entire 2.6 miles before we turn around.  You see, I'm not in shape by any means, and I have my four-year old 45 lb. "helper" on the back.  We use the Trail-a-Bike that hooks onto my bike, with its own wheel and pedals.  Morgan, prefers to pedal backwards, thats more fun.... for her.....  Ashley, my 21 year old is a trooper helping to watch her sister and being the caboose bike with the occassional amusing 'race' with us.  Hopefully, adding on a little bit more each day, we'll get to the complete trail in no time and others will see us zoom by :)

If you are a new resident to Chester County, be sure and check out Struble Trail!  If you have been in the area for a while, and like me, have not taken advantage of the park - COME BACK!  I'd love to hear what you think!