My local mommy group recommended Mill Creek Marsh as an uncrowded stroller-friendly walking path within a short drive and, as always, they did not disappoint. We visited on a dreary day, had the place all to ourselves, and enjoyed running and bird watching here. A flat and easy 1.5 mile loop was the perfect outing to run off some energy and explore a new place.
Fun fact: The cedar tree stumps pictured in the mudflats above are hidden at high tide, but lucky for us, revealed at low tide. Dozens of cedar tree stumps dot the mudflats, and are interestingly the remains of trees used as hideouts for pirates in the late 1700s and later served to construct nearby Patterson Plank Road in the mid 1800s. Now home to 200 migratory birds, we spotted egrets resting among the barren stumps. Cardinals, robins, and at least a dozen butterflies greeted us on our trek, dancing above us and landing on nearby wildflowers for a snack. We appreciated the signage that educated us on the types of birds and butterflies that call the marsh home.
We enjoyed a lovely, leisurely walk and would recommend it for anyone looking for a mini nature escape close to home. The only downside here is the street noise – it was hard to get away from it all with the constant sound of tractor trailers zooming by – but the proximity made it worthwhile.
The Park Mama Tips:
- The entrance is beside Bob’s Furniture, and there’s plenty of easy parking on the side.
- Bring bug spray. The marsh is known for mosquitos, and while we didn’t experience any while here, we wore our bug spray just in case.
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