Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Walk past the lake and turn left. Continue walking and cross the first bridge.
This will take you to the concert pavilion, where many festivals take place.
Turn south at the pavilion toward the lake, where ducks and other waterfowl
make their home. Circle around until you see another bridge. This one leads
to a circular garden, where markers tell the history of the park. This is also
the location of the Compassionate Friends Memorial Garden. Each year,
Compassionate Friends, a nonprofit support group for parents and families
who have lost a child, holds a memorial walk in the park.
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Continue walking south until you reach the park's boardwalk bridge, which
winds through Marsh Island, a natural wildlife habitat. Listen for the sounds
of crickets, ducks, and the occasional crowing rooster. Squirrels, turtles, rab-
bits, raccoons, nutria, and opossums also call the island home. In the middle
of the boardwalk is a small pavilion where you can stop and marvel at the
sight of geese, swans, and ducks floating in the lake.
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As you step off the boardwalk, don't be surprised to encounter ducks, ibis,
and other wildlife hanging out on the pathways and the shores of the lake.
Continue circling until you see a trash receptor to the right. Turn right, walk
a few feet to the jogging trail, and take another right on the trail. On the left
are the park's administrative offices and the Foundation Room, the park's
special-events venue.
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Cross South Scenic Drive and continue on the jogging trail. Be wary of jog-
gers, who tend to pack the park on weekends. As you stroll on the trail,
you'll see a warm-up station where visitors can stretch before running. As
the trail winds through the back of the park, you'll see a picnic pavilion to
the right and baseball fields to the left.
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Cross South Scenic Drive and walk toward another lake. Turn left at the
path and continue walking around the lake. If it's summertime, you'll soon
hear the sounds of children frolicking in the spray park. On the other side is
a carousel, which, unlike the spray park, is open all year. A nearby snack bar
offers a variety of cool treats, though hours vary.
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Walk toward Downs and turn right before crossing the street. Walk past the
soccer fields and cross over several parking lots until you reach the lot where
you started.
POINTS OF INTEREST
