Beautiful park. I like going here to do distance runs. It's…read moregood to run here when it is pretty hot out - nicely shaded in a lot of the trails. I had some questions and went into the main office and the woman working there was very nice and helpful. I went to a get-together here and the picnic areas were only $20 to rent, so its a nice place to go if you want a reserved outdoor area.

So much to do at this park from walking trails, to a nice playground and the inside educational…read morearea with fun for kids. We definitely could have spend hours here and we will be back!

Visit d this location during a vacation in Wilmington. Not only does it have a park for kids to…read moreenjoy, the location has pickleball courts, kayaks, paddle boats and a walking trail that circles the beautiful lake. We hoped to see gators but missed them all. Tons of turtles though. The walking trail is 5 miles around the lake and easy with shaded spots, and various lookout locations with benches to rest or simple zen out. I wish I lived closer so I could walk this look weekly!

This is such a nice park. Wilmington has done a nice job up keeping this park. I love the 5 mile…read morewalk around Greenfield Lake, especially during azalea season. My kids enjoy the skate park and playgrounds. The trials are well kept. Lock your car and keep items out of view. This park is known for vagrants and we did see one person approach our car and try the doors. They scurried away quickly when they noticed we saw them. This could be because we have out of state plates but locals say this park is known for crime.

Great city park with big fields, playgrounds, physical fitness activities…read more It was busy the day I was there and I witnessed why. Well maintained and diverse activities for all.

Our first time taking my toddler to a splash pad and quickly discovered this is going to be her new…read morefavorite summer activity! This one at Long Leaf Park is wonderful and very spacious, but I do wish they offered more seating for the parents/guardians! Only 2 benches and not an inch of shade around. Fine for the littles running and playing in the water, but a bit brutal for those of us just monitoring on the side. Some even resorted to just staying in their cars and watching from the parking lot just outside the fence/splash pad area. According to their website it is open through September. A great *free* summer activity. Restrooms are located nearby too which was convenient. The park also offers playgrounds, walking trails, sports courts, and picnic shelter. My daughter had a blast at both the splash pad and playground and that was the goal!

We visited again today after coming here back in 2021 and 2022. We mainly wanted to see the Harbor…read moreWay Gardens again. The parking is free for the first 2 hours, but you have to register your license plate. That's a great deal considering how much people can pay for parking in a beach town!

This is our favorite park because of the amazing playground--it's great for all ages. They recently…read moreredid the soft, rubbery ground under the equipment, which is so nice and safer for kiddos. The park is clean and well-maintained. They also host fun community events like outdoor movies, concerts and Easter egg hunts, which we love! There are also tennis and pickle ball courts, basketball and fields.

This is a gorgeous park to walk dogs, ride bikes or jog. There is a nice paved path that goes…read morearound the lake and a reading tour with pages from kids books that you can stop and read. There's also a picnic shelter and a nature trail that is up off the lake, more wooded. Dogs are supposed to be leashed but have found that people use the nature trail and take dogs off leash up there, even though they're not supposed to. The lake trail does go close to the water's edge at several points and the dogs can take a quick dip - but no swimming for humans! There's also a boat launch and looks like a great place to go kayaking.

I can't believe I've never been to this park before! It was such a great spot for a walk around the…read morebeautiful lake and to play! The main path (1.3 miles) is paved with additional dirt trails on the sides. The playground is absolutely amazing and my kid loved it. The park was clean and there were lots of people out. The bathrooms were decent and there was picnic tables under shelter. Parking was filling up but it was a sunny day in February so I think people were out enjoying it. They have kayak launches that I'd love to come back to try!

We stayed at a hotel that was located right at the Riverwalk. The views were amazing. While…read morewalking, you can see the Battleship North Carolina. There are many restaurants located on the scenic route. I thoroughly enjoyed my walks back and forth daily.

Decided to stop here on our way from Myrtle Beach to Raleigh, choosing Wilmington over…read moreFayetteville, which I heard didn't offer much in terms of attractions. The Riverwalk is a beautiful and scenic spot that offers stunning views of the Cape Fear River. As you stroll along, you can do some reading about the area's rich history, which is beautifully shared through informational plaques and signs along the way. Wilmington also offers several guided history tours, there's a boat tour that explores the river and its surroundings, and a horse-and-carriage tour that takes you through the historic downtown area. It's a great way to learn about Wilmington's past while enjoying the charming scenery. While there, be sure to visit the local coffee shop for a quick caffeine boost, browse the Spice Merchant for unique spices and flavorings, and take a walk around to explore local shops. For lunch, we enjoyed a meal at Anny Bonney's, a popular spot known for its casual vibe and tasty seafood. Overall, Wilmington's Riverwalk is a lovely stop that combines scenic beauty, history, and good eats, definitely worth a visit if you're passing through!

I love taking my dog to the dog park but the whole park is really beautiful and spacious. Most of…read morethe people that I've encountered have been really nice. It's a nice clean park to take your family or just go on your own to get a little exercise. I would recommend to a friend.

The perfect suburban family hangout spot! They've got a skate park, dog park, 1 mile paved walking…read moreloop, soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, picnic tables, a decent size pond filled with turtles and geese, tennis courts, pull up bars, and many benches with a view. The fact I lived in the area for over a year before checking this place out, severely disappoints me. It's beautiful! The loop has become a frequent running spot for me due to it's perfect one mile length and 90% sun to head ratio, along the way. It's always nice to have a breathe of fresh air, classy water features, and no lack of parking when pulling up to enjoy it all. Pretty much everywhere I've ever lived, the parks would not keep the nets on the soccer goal posts in fear someone would steal them or the weather would destroy them quickly. I am in positive shock each day when I arrive to see the nets still on all the goal posts, sandbags holding the bases, and knots tied tight - just like the pros! These soccer fields (located towards the backside of the park) are a casual, consistent futbol player's dream. I have to give props to the Ogden Parks & Rec for always keeping the premises in top notch condition. The trash cans are constantly emptied. Grass never seems to get anywhere close to out of hand. Tennis courts are swept and schedules are well organized. The goose and duck poops disappear almost as quick as they happened. And there's always someone riding around the area willing to help. The park is open from 8 am to 10 pm, daily. The skate park is only open 8 am to sunset, daily. The staff will lock all entry gates when closed. The dog park is an off-leash, fenced off dirt area, open from 8 am to 10pm. The park is available for hosting large events with an advanced request/payment. One event they've hosted annually here is the Food Truck Rodeo. Looking forward to attending other events in the future.

Such a beautiful place to visit! Cannot wait to go back! The Live Oaks are absolutely breathtaking…read moreand a very naturally romantic place to visit!

This place is so gorgeous! This week we got lucky and discovered that Airlie was hosting a Bird…read moreWalk during our vacation. We had an amazing time and saw so many birds! The gardens were beautiful as always. I also found some more unique earrings at the gift shop, along with a magnet and keychain as souvenirs.

The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden is one of my favorite places to visit, and I have…read morereturned many times since my last review. Located just 11 minutes from Downtown Wilmington near Independence Mall--tucked quietly behind Edwin A. Alderman Elementary School--this hidden botanical treasure features a dedicated parking lot where I have never once had an issue finding a spot. Admission is also free. The main entry path is fully paved and leads directly to a flat, highly accessible network of elevated wooden boardwalks with protective railings. These overlooks give mobility-conscious visitors, wheelchair users, and stroller users a clear, step-free view of the unique topography without any strenuous trekking. The boardwalks even feature built-in raised garden beds, allowing for an up-close look at the plants. For those who want to venture deeper into the bog itself, a series of flat stepping stones is available; you just must be exceptionally careful to stay strictly on the designated paths. The garden is full of rare carnivorous plants that grow natively only within a strict 75- to 100-mile radius of Wilmington. They thrive here because of a highly specific, hyper-local ecological lottery that exists nowhere else on Earth. The soil is a unique combination of coastal sand and wet peat moss that is highly acidic and entirely lacks standard plant nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Most plants need nutrient-rich soil to survive; these incredible species have adapted to trap insects and use them as fertilizer. The area's perched water table keeps the bog damp year-round, keeping the roots perfectly hydrated, while the coastal climate stays just cold enough to let the plants hibernate without freezing the ground solid. Because this habitat is rare, visitors should note that the entire grounds are under active camera surveillance. North Carolina state law makes it a Class H felony to steal or harm these plants. While my previous spring trips found the plants just beginning their early bloom cycle, my recent late October visit offered a stunning contrast. A spectacular blanket of native autumn wildflowers covered the pocosin bog in vibrant colors and drew in pollinators. While the tall pitcher plants were easy to spot, the famous Venus flytraps are incredibly small and camouflaged perfectly against the low mosses and grass. Though I only found a few flytraps, half the fun is the peaceful scavenger hunt in nature. At one point, I followed the distinct hum of insects, hoping to discover more, but came up empty. Don't let the compact, 0.728-acre footprint fool you; it is incredibly easy to lose track of time here. I initially planned for a quick 15-to-30-minute stop but ended up staying for an hour and a half, completely immersed in the quiet beauty of the bog!

Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Park is located at the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve, Wilmington, NC. The…read morepark is free and there is a small & free parking lot beside the park. We were very impressed with this park & preserve in Wilmington, North Carolina. Even though we came early in the morning, it got sweltering hot fast. We walked the paved and unpaved trails. I read that this was a good area for birdwatching yet we didn't see any birds in the park. People are encouraged to come early in the morning to ensure a parking spot and to avoid the crowds. We came early the morning in mid July to avoid the heat and crowds. Shade is limited. Sunscreen, insect repellent, and cameras are strongly recommended. This preserve & park have Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews. They thrive in the acidic, boggy soil. Wilmington is one of the few places in the world where these plants naturally grow and flourish - one of the unique hidden gems about Wilmington and an ideal destination for nature lovers. There are winding easy to walk paths through the preserve & park. Informative signs along the trail provide insights into the plants in the park. Visitors will notice sitting areas along the trails with benches to enjoy the scenery and plants.