Outdoor spaces
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Crum Woods Is One Of Delco’s Few Remaining Forests
If you’re looking for a respite from the busy-ness of life without having to travel too far, Delaware County, PA’s Crum Woods offers 3.5 miles of trails, the perfect amount to occupy a couple hours and maybe catch a glimpse of some wildlife (such as the Pileated woodpecker in the image below). College. While immersed in nature, you may be reminded of the proximity of civilization if you hear (and may catch a glimpse of) a SEPTA train or when the trail takes you close enough to see college buildings and parking lots. The trails run along the Crum Creek, named Crumkill, meaning “crooked creek” by Swedish settlers to the…
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Chester Valley Trail Connects Counties, Improves Accessibility
The Chester Valley Trail Extension is officially open for business. Though skies were gray and threatening, the rain held off, allowing local dignitaries to officially open the newest Philly-area trail. This paved path connects the Chester Valley and Schuylkill River Trails, providing a continuous hiking and biking route from Chester County to the Philadelphia Art Museum. Connecting Trails, and Counties The Philadelphia area is home to hundreds of miles of trails, but few are connected. Now two of the area’s most popular trails have been linked, providing greater opportunity for residents who want an alternative way to get around or simply easier access to more places to explore. Most of…
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Taking Spring Cleaning Outside
Spring is here! For many, that means throwing open windows and refreshing our indoor spaces. But what about outside? It’s an unfortunate fact that trash ends up in places it shouldn’t. While many people routinely carry a trash bag to pick up litter while enjoying the outdoors, sometimes a group effort is called for to maintain our outdoor spaces and preserve the health of our waterways. These creek cleanups rely heavily on volunteers. For years, many organizations have partnered with corporate sponsors and local groups for years to organize group clean-ups, choosing April to coincide with Earth Day. As a result, thousands of pounds of trash are removed from our…
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Where Outdoor Fun and Holiday Lights Collide (Beautifully)
The temperature is dropping and holiday events are starting to fill everyone’s calendar. These facts conspire to keep people indoors, but there are still plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors. These local attractions featuring holiday lights are sure to bring smiles while providing an opportunity to spend time walking outside. A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens From November 22 to January 6, Longwood Gardens welcomes visitors to explore their grounds while a half million lights sparkle in a winter wonderland. Christmas carols can be heard at the Open Air Theatre fountains where 750 jets of water dance in time to the music. Fire pits and indoor gardens provide the…
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Audubon Loop Provides Easy Access to Nature
The Philly burbs have an abundance of hiking options for hikers of all abilities. A few weeks ago, we decided to head out, with a few requirements. We needed to be relatively close to Norristown, we wanted something we could easily complete in a couple hours and we needed a stroller-friendly trail. We found all this in the Audubon Loop in Oaks. After parking at the Pawlings Road Trailhead parking lot, we took a look at the posted map and headed to our right, toward Pawlings Rd., and then turned left to go over Rt 422. Though this section was rather sunny, after we walked past St. Gabriel’s residential treatment…
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An Overview of Pennsylvania State Parks – Bucks County
The Pennsylvania’s State Park system provides access to 200,000 acres of nature and includes a variety of terrain and geological features. In Philadelphia and the adjacent counties alone, there are 14 state parks, where anyone can go enjoy forests, fields and water, free of charge. The parks are open every day of the year, from sunrise to sunset, with day areas closing at dusk. Some also offer overnight camping to groups or individuals. Picnic tables are usually easy to find and some areas also have grills. Dogs are allowed in most areas of the parks, but must be kept on a leash. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after…
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An Overview of Pennsylvania State Parks – Philadelphia and Adjacent Counties
Note: Due to the large number of state parks in Bucks County, those parks are listed in a separate post. The Pennsylvania’s State Park system provides access to 200,000 acres of nature and includes a variety of terrain and geological features. In Philadelphia and the adjacent counties alone, there are 14 state parks, where anyone can go enjoy forests, fields and water, free of charge. The parks are open every day of the year, from sunrise to sunset, with day areas closing at dusk. Some also offer overnight camping to groups or individuals. Picnic tables are usually easy to find. Dogs are allowed in most areas of the parks, but…
