It was a beautiful Sunday, and the grandparents were in town. We packed a picnic lunch and headed outside to Marshy Point Park and Nature Center. The Nature Center is in Baltimore situated on the Upper Chesapeake Bay along Saltpeter and Dundee Creeks. There is ample parking, trails, a nature play space, boat launch, and more!
After parking, my girls ran right toward the play area! There is a 3/4 scale skipjack, an old oyster boat, for kids to play on. There is also a replica of an eagle’s nest, and a giant fish to clamber on.
The play area is fenced in, so kiddos can’t escape into the parking lot. There are two picnic tables inside the fence, and more picnic tables outside the play area. Stormy found a garter snake sunning itself on the skipjack, but it proved too quick for her to catch. We let the girls play for a bit, and burn off some energy, before we headed inside the Nature Center itself.
The Nature Center is open daily from 9-5, excluding holidays, and the park is open from 9am to sunset. Masks are required within the Center. Signage on the door also states that the building is home to free-roaming animals, and to please not let them out.
What is the free-roaming animal the sign refers, too? A duck! My girls asked about the duck, and a staff member showed us where the duck was snoozing in the staff area.
The Nature Center is cool! Many exhibits to check out, and quite a few fish, reptiles, etc.
Tummies were rumbling, so we didn’t explore long. We used the bathrooms and headed back outside to picnic.
After lunch, we set out to explore the trails. We decided to hike along Katie and Wil’s Trail, the orange trail. Just before the trailhead, there are several enclosures that are home to turkeys, owls, and other birds. My girls loved the turkeys, and kept gobbling at them!
Leaving the birds behind, we started out on the orange trail, which is paved for a short distance. We tried the first overlook and were rewarded with a view of tall marsh grasses. Continuing on, we came to a bridge, and got a gorgeous view of the Creek!
After crossing the bridge, we turned right onto the Vernal Pond Trail. We followed this in a circle back to the orange trail. At this time of the year, views of the Creek were minimal due to that dang marsh grass. The woods were pretty, though, with that golden light woods get in late autumn.
We tried one more trail, the white trail, that led to Iron Point. Sadly, no view unless you stand on a picnic table. We returned to the area around the Center, and walked out on the canoe launch. Here we found the views that had eluded us all afternoon! Gorgeous!
After soaking in the view, we herded the tired kiddos back to the Center to explore just a little longer. Both Pebble and Stormy found the sand table, while Rainbow watched the duck for a bit, then found a book to read.
Just a little longer became the girls’ mantra… First it was the exhibits inside the Center, then they wanted more time in the Nature Play Area. We needed a crowbar to pry them loose from Marshy Point! The girls loved the Center, and the outdoor play area. All 3 have asked to return again, hopefully when the marsh grass isn’t as tall. Please check this wonderful park out! Happy trails!
