| 392 | Radnor Lake State Park - Otter Creek Road | 2011-05-10 |
The other day, I was talking to a neighbor who had stopped by the yard on her dog walking routine. In the conversation she said that lately she had been getting up early on the weekends and driving to Radnor Lake to take her dog for a walk. She thought it was the greatest. I didn't ask where she walked in the Park, because I knew the only area open to dogs is Otter Creek Road.
I am a trail walker and even though I have walked or rode on my share of greenways and daily walk and run the neighborhood streets, I still enjoy trails over pavement. Okay, I am a trail snob. To me walking on Otter Creek Road is like strolling down a boulevard. The road is closed to motorized vehicles, leaving it packed with walkers, runners, bicyclist, strollers, toddlers, and of course dog walkers; but I must admit, the users who pack the road, truly enjoy their walk in the Park.
So why would people drive to the Park to walk on a road? Here's a few reasons ....
The closed section of the road is a great length. It is about 1.25 miles one way, or 2.5 miles round trip. Of course you can shorten the walk by turning back sooner.
The roadway is mostly shaded.
The road is at an easy grade.
Benches and overlooks are located along the road.
There are no route finding decisions.
There is no litter in the Park.
Birds, wildlife, and flowers abound.
Strollers and dogs are allowed on the road. I guess you could even put a dog in a stroller if you wanted! : )
Restrooms are at both entrances to the Park.
It can be crowded; but some folks like that. Walking the roadway is that popular. During the non-peak hours, the Park is not as crowded.
The Park's staff does a great job of managing the visit.
The road crosses the south side of the Lake, giving good pictures for point and shoot camera users! It does, however, seem like the point and shoot camera is in a minority at Radnor though.
Most visitors are courteous, kind, and like minded.
Oh, and I almost forgot - Radnor Lake is a beautiful area.
I guess it doesn't get much better than that ... maybe, we need to take Jake on a Sunday morning stroll down the Otter Creek Road.
Also of interest, there were two recent articles in the Tennessean on Radnor Lake:
'Volunteer spirit' helps keep Radnor Lake visitor-friendly
Saving Radnor Lake was combined effort
and ...
the cloudhiking link to Otter Creek Road