As we ease into cooler weather and adjust to life within the pandemic, families are looking for engaging activities to break out of the confines of their homes and connect with their communities while still staying safe. Since March, you may have made your way down the quarantine checklist, starting with baking bread, arts and crafts, and maybe even some at home diy projects, but you may be overlooking some of the great outdoor experiences Old Town Cornelius has to offer. All of the featured outdoor spots to explore are maintained by the Town of Cornelius PARC (Parks, Art, Recreation & Culture) Department.
The Antiquity Greenway
Starting near Zion Ave and snaking around Antiquity neighborhood, the Antiquity Greenway is a simple, picturesque walking trail that you can enjoy solo or with family and friends. The paved, 0.6 mile trail connects with the existing Rocky River Greenway in Davidson, making your walking, running, or biking experience as long or as short as you want. Pets are also permitted, as long as they are leashed.
Legion Park
Next up on our list is Legion Park, located right off Main Street across from the Habitat for Humanity. Nestled between Legion and Spring Street, this park offers walking trails, baseball and softball fields, a playground, and a picnic shelter with a grill. Come out and toss around the ball with the kids, or have a social distanced picnic with friends.
Bailey Road Park
Bailey Road Park offers a wide variety of recreational space, with upwards of 66 acres for your enjoyment. Here you can find a baseball and softball field, a batting cage, picnic areas, a new playground, tennis courts, multipurpose fields for either soccer or football, disc golf courses, as well as walking trails. Bailey Park also offers a connection to the Caldwell Greenway, a 4.3 mile walking trail that is good for hiking year round.
Smithville Park
Our final park destination on our list can be found at the heart of Old Town Cornelius. Located in the historic Smithville community right off of Catawba Avenue, this park houses a variety of amenities for families to enjoy. Here you can find baseball and softball ball fields, a playground, a batting cage, multipurpose fields, and a picnic shelter. Smithville also has a splash pad, which offers a fun way to cool off while the heat of the summer still prevails.
Have a good time at any of these parks? Let us know! Share your adventures by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #otc.
