This is a beautiful well kept park. Great for walking, kayaking or just a picnic . Play equipment…read morefor kids and quiet little beach areas.

Best park in the area! Mainly we go for walking and the playground. Walk the full loop for the…read morebeauty of the park. Can be a little busy on weekends but has never stopped us!

Updated review. I…read moreabsolutely love Piney Orchard Nature Trail! It's my go-to jogging destination because of how peaceful and serene it is. On any given day, you can spot a wide variety of bird species, which adds to the tranquility of the surroundings. The trails through the woods are well-maintained and offer a wonderful escape into nature. I especially enjoy the paths that lead to the fresh water ponds, where you can admire the beauty of the area while getting some exercise. If you're looking for a relaxing and scenic place to jog or simply unwind, Piney Orchard Nature Trail is the perfect spot!

This is such a sweet little enclave of trees and flowers and birds and people walking dogs and…read morecrackling leaves. I've been here to walk 4-5 times, in different seasons, and each has its charm. In the spring, you will see myriad flowers in bloom, hear the lovely song of little streams and birds trilling. Winter is very different, with frosty pine cones and leaves to photograph, and everything so still. Fall is lovely! I saw two does with their mostly grown fawns, and encountered a baby rattlesnake! That surprised me greatly as I've never seen or heard of them around here. I confess that fall is my favorite season; I love the bluest skies and the aroma of leaves. I prefer not walking on asphalt too much, so as soon as I can (where the duck loop cuts off and so does the vernal trail) I cut down to the sand/dirt path along the water. Both trails, asphalt and dirt, eventually end up at a sort of trail end. The other day when I was here, since there was no water in the stream, I crossed over to see if I could go any farther - ermmm not really. There are numerous access points from the neighborhood that borders the preserve, so lots of folks seem to walk their dogs close to home. The water was extremely low since we've had very little rain; I was surprised at how far the mud banks extended into the lake. There are NO services whatsoever! Go potty before you get out to walk!

For all that come to the park for the right reasons welcome. Unfortunately, there are some who…read morethrow trash on the parking lot including beer bottles, empty their cigarette ashtray on the lot. Also, park in no parking spots and drive their vehicle through the grass lots where the waterfowl graze to eat. The waterfowl, ducks, geese live at the park, have respect for them, if not trash your own property. If you feed the animals, don't give them bread it is bad for them. If you don't believe so Google it. If you happen to be someone who has the no care, no respect attitude and think you are above it all, don't visit the park. Most respect the park and want it to thrive for years to come so the children can enjoy it.

I took my kids to this park it's beautiful and clean plus the playground is awesome for kids to…read moreplay and there's ducks too I can't wait to take my kids again.

Ambience: Downs Park is one of those hidden gems that feels…read morelike a deep breath. It's spacious, peaceful, and full of variety. Whether you want to walk along the waterfront, sit on a bench with a view, or just let the breeze hit your face while your kids play. It has a little bit of everything. I've been here at least 5-7 times and still haven't explored it all! Playground: There's something for every age group from a sweet tot lot for the little ones to a multi-level climbing structure with twisty slides that kept my oldest busy for a while. There are swings, a merry-go-round, and plenty of open space to run around or play. Scenic Walks & Waterfront: We usually park near the visitor center (convenient and close to everything!) and stroll down to the pier or relax on the benches with that peaceful waterfront view. You'll find grassy picnic spots, a pier with folks fishing, and even a small beach and separate dog beach. The trails are partly shaded and the breeze coming off the water makes it feel extra calming. Stroller-Friendly: Yes, it's stroller-friendly! The trails are paved, but heads-up: it's not totally flat there are some hills. Still, it's very walkable and manageable with a stroller. Great for littles who need a nap or just want a ride. Extras: Bathrooms are located inside the visitor center, and there's a quiet garden area called Mary's Garden if you need a tranquil reset. I've always had friendly experiences with the park staff when entering and asking questions. Parking is $6 per car and there's usually plenty of space, especially if you don't mind walking a bit. Why I Love It: This park has become one of my go-to spots when we need a peaceful outing. Between the water views, the open space, and the mix of kid-friendly and adult-friendly features, it's just easy to love. Perfect for picnics, gentle mornings, or letting your thoughts wander while the kids play.

This dog beach is smaller than the one in Annapolis, but still is nice. I came here on Memorial Day…read moreand there was quite a lot of dogs. The dog beach rules are pretty much the same as with any other dog beach. Children under six years old must be accompanied by an adult. No human or dog food allowed on the beach. Humans aren't allowed to swim in the water. And of course, no aggressive dogs. I do wish there was a wash station either at the beach or nearby, which would be very convenient to both human and dog.

Ventured to this beautiful park since it was a nice, cool day. The park is gorgeous to drive…read morethrough with a lot of ample parking in different areas. We parked near the suspension bridge so we could cross and walk over part of that area and then circled back to the falls trail. Saw bathrooms and pavilions nearby. It's a beautiful area and I'm excited to go back to explore more trails and enjoy the scenery!

Patapsco State Park is a huge, beautiful plot of land accessible from multiple areas of MD…read more For only $2 car, collected in an unattended Honor Box, you get access to acres and acres of nature's finest greenery scattered among hills and rocks and boulders to hike through trails of trees, streams, waterfalls, and more. Because of the tall trees, you get plenty of shade while walking through the woods. I take my young children who can effortlessly conquer 3 miles of the trail without hesitation. It's an awesome nature experience hearing the birds chirp & insects buzz, seeing the small schools of fish being carried down the stream, the crawling creatures perfectly positioned for nature enthusiasts capturing photos. The park entry also allows you to use the open grass areas to picnic or grab a grill. The water is practically a beach area as I've seen multiple families lined up on both sides of the bridge enjoying the cool water. As well as my children and I. There's plenty of parking. The bridge is a highlight boasting wonderful opportunities for pictures with beautiful natural lighting. There's also some train tracks on the other side of the bridge perfect for photo ops but BEWARE! it is a functional and operating train track! My family and I can't get enough of this park. Definitely experience it for yourself.

Ideal for littles…read more We come here often. The 1 mile walk around the lake is easy and has no issues if you are using a stroller also there are places for you to take a break and have a seat on a bench or look at the water. Playgrounds are the best you will find on base and large and new. No shade so don't go on hot days. Parking: small lots all around the lake

Always a great place to walk or watch the birds in the lake. Nice place to park if you work or live…read morenearby to do some thinking. This is on a military facility. I love quiet time. Unless there's a cookout going on this is a very peaceful place to just unwind. Or bring the kids to play at the playground. You can also walk your dog. Just make sure he is on a leash.

I absolutely love everything about this place!! The location -- right over the Bay Bridge, the…read moreinstructor -- Karla is just lovely, and the experience -- paddleboarding on the Chesapeake Bay!! An amazing day trip if you live in Baltimore, DC area, or even the Eastern Shore. Kent Island is easy to get to and close to a ton of restaurants so you can make an entire afternoon out of it. Karla was especially amazing because she let us know before the day of that the waters were going to be choppy due to the wind so we were warned about it being a little more difficult. Once we arrived, she took us through an introductory class to teach us the fundamentals about paddleboarding and form. She impressed upon us that the water was not very deep so that we weren't nervous going out on the choppy waters! She then came with us to take pictures of us standing up and a group shot all together! She also followed up with a thank you email and attached the pictures she took -- now if that isn't unbelievable service, I don't know what is!! I would (and will) visit her again as it was an amazing day on the water even if it was almost 100 degrees out!!!

I booked a private class for my sisters wedding party and we had a blast!!! Karla is SO MUCH FUN…read moreand knew exactly what we needed. The Bootcamp class is nothing to be scared of! It's the perfect mix of fun, relaxing, and strenuous. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect activity. She also was extremely accommodating to hold a private session outside of her normal classes. If you are in the area - give her a try!

Hillcrest Park is located next to the Lansdowne Library, down the street from Lansdowne High…read moreSchool. It has a small playground, bathroom facilities, a sheltered pavillion and is bordered by a large wooded area--"providing opportunities for youth to do things that they shouldn't," police have said in the past. Ultimately, a park should either emphasize play or nature, and this one barely succeeds at either. There is a lake with piers, and I did see a regular ; I wouldn't trust anything coming out of that lake either.

Great selection of paddleboards and excellent service. Also have kayaks, leasing, lessons, and…read moretrips. Store is cute and personnel wonderful and informative.

I rent kayaks from here. The current price for a single-person kayak is $26 for 2 hours (which…read moreincludes kayak, paddle & life-jacket), then $8 for every hour after that. The kayaks are already lined up at the launch point until the day is over. Go play, then after you return your rental gear, go pay. The Susquehanna River is a gentle river...the water is more like that of a bay or a lake. There are beaches and islands to explore. There are marinas and and docks so there is some traffic areas with boaters and jet-skiers, but it isn't daunting...just stick to the river bank until you're comfortable...you will be paddling in the middle of the river, soaking up the view like a pro before you even realize it! The staff is really, really nice, friendly and helpful. I highly recommend spending the day on the Susquehanna and Shank's Mare. note: the launch point is directly across the shop where there is public parking, picnic tables, docks, fishing, duck feeding, etc.