We are lucky to have so many great creeks in our area where kids can splash and play -- and you can feel good about social distancing. And now that the local pools are (mostly) closing, despite the not-yet-fall temperatures, its great to have some options for splashing!
Here are five of my family's favorite creeks in the area to visit. Don't see your family's favorite creek here? Drop me a note at rachaelw@macaronikid.com and I'll add it to our list!
Put on a swimsuit, bring shoes good for creek walking, and don't forget snacks and sunscreen before heading out to any of these creeks! And remember, always watch your kids in water — no matter how shallow it is!
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Col. Francis Beatty Park in Matthews
Located at 4330 Weddington Road in Matthews, Beatty Park offers miles of trails and creeks that wind throughout the park. At one spot, towards the "back" away from the parking lots and such, you can find a bridge and a rope swing, other spots offer great picnic locations and rocks to climb on while wading into the shallow waters. The trails are dog-friendly and easy to navigate with littles. There are also bathrooms throughout the park and several playgrounds. If your crew is adventurous, you could take your mountain bikes and bike these trails, as there are clear indications on which trails are for pedestrians and which are for bikes (they are directional!).
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Big Rock Nature Preserve in Charlotte
Located at 6500 Elmstone Lane in Charlotte, this is our favorite location! Big Rock Nature Preserve is a short loop with lots of options for fun. You can start your day with climbing the GIANT rocks or you can take one of the many trails that begin at the top and work your way down to the creek bed at the bottom. When we go, we often bring lunch and walk down to the creek, set out our food on a long flat rock and then play in the creek after. There is a dammed area that offers some "deeper" water, but mostly its shallow and fun. The kids have found all sorts of wild life traces and love going there. There are no bathrooms, so be warned and PLEASE bring your trash with you when you leave. This is in the middle of a neighborhood and its the right thing to do!
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Squirrel Lake Park in Matthews
We've been visiting Squirrel Lake Park for years and only recently learned that if we take the trails, there is a great creek to play in! Squirrel Lake Park is located at 1631 Pleasant Plains in Matthews and offers trails, a playground, bathroom a fishing pond and dog "watering" spots. The creek is along the paths and easy to access for littles; offering loads of "exploration" time and is splash-able!
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Mineral Springs Greenway in Mineral Springs/Waxhaw
The Mineral Springs Greenway is my best friend's favorite with her three adventurous boys and dog! It offers 1.7 miles of hiking and biking trails complete with some really big rocks on which her boys love to climb. The creek is a must-stop and so much fun for the kids. You can find Mineral Springs Greenway along the Carolina Thread Trail at 6214 McNeely Road in Waxhaw.
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6 Mile Creek Greenway in Waxhaw
6 Mile Creek Greenway, located off Marvin Road near Firethorn, is a great spot to walk with the kids or the dogs. The creek, which can get quite full, is a big enough to play in without a strong current - though I do recommend watching the kiddos. While we have not seen turtles and fish, we know others have and it is a favorite location for bird-watchers, too! There are bike trails and its great for runners, if you'd like to combine your activity with the play-time!
