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Granville Gude Park and Lake House: Great Outdoors

September 17, 2015 by

Right in the center of Laurel, the Granville Gude Park and Lake House is a place for relaxation, recreation, and community events for everyone. Spanning 29 acres, the park is perfect for a hike or jog around Laurel Lake. The lake is beautiful and available during the summer months for boating fun. You can also rent a paddle boat for a small fee. There’s plenty of open space for different sports and there’s also a few barbeque pits for public use. Check out some of the fun events during the year, like the Easter Egg Hunt, Movies in the Park and the annual July 4th celebration, complete with music and fireworks! The Granville Gude Park and Lake House is open daily from dawn to dusk, and admission is free!

Granville Gude Park and Lake House
8300 Mulberry Street
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 490-3530
http://www.yelp.com/biz/granville-gude-park-and-lakehouse-laurel

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National Wildlife Visitor Center: Learning Made Fun

September 10, 2015 by

The National Wildlife Visitor Center is a terrific place for families to explore and learn about how researching wildlife is essential toward the goal of preserving our natural resources. Located just south of Laurel and north of Bowie, the National Wildlife Visitor Center is the largest science and environmental education center operated by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Come into the visitor’s center and learn about global environmental issues and endangered species Bring your binoculars to the viewing pod. There you can view acres of landscape and wildlife habitats. Check out the art gallery and the interactive kiosk. Take your choice – a tram ride through the facility, or take a hike! The half-hour tram tour is available on weekends, and during the week in the summer. Either way, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of nature, and maybe learn something, too!

National Wildlife Visitor Center
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop
Laurel, MD 20708
(301) 497-5760
http://www.yelp.com/biz/national-wildlife-visitor-center-laurel

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Patapsco Valley State Park: An Enormous Maryland Park

June 10, 2014 by

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and bask in the serenity of nature at Patapsco Valley State Park. It encompasses 16,043 acres of wilderness along the Patapsco River and is nationally recognized for its grandeur and beauty. Recreational opportunities abound, with 170 miles of trails for hiking and biking, as well as eight developed recreational areas for barbequing and picnicking. Large groups can reserve one of the park’s many pavilions. Trails range from rugged to paved, accommodating a wide variety of hiking abilities. Kayaking, fishing, canoeing, camping, and horseback riding are also part of the many activities on the park’s agenda. Stop in at the Avalon Visitor Center located in a 19th century stone building to learn about the history of the area and see a replica of the 1930s forest warden’s office that once graced the park.

8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 461-5670

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Lake Elkhorn Park: Picturesque Pond

March 18, 2014 by

Located in Owen Brown Village, this man-made lake provides a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Lake Elkhorn was built in 1974 by the Columbia Association and measures 15 feet to the bed at its deepest point. A two-mile path stretches around the water, and the surrounding park is a great place to enjoy a variety of recreational activities. The well-kept lawn off of the main parking area has a quaint gazebo and pavilion for picnics and other activities, and there is a playground for children as well. The biggest draw is the path, which draws runners and bicyclists in significant numbers. Some complain that the footpath is a little too narrow for the amount of traffic it gets, so be cautious. The lake forbids swimming and boating. This is a charming and idyllic public park that is a great place to bring your family to enjoy a relaxing summer afternoon.

Lake Elkhorn Park
7200 Dockside Lane
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 715-3161
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lake-elkhorn-park-columbia

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Centennial Park: A Wonderful Park in Columbia, Maryland

March 4, 2014 by

The 50-acre reservoir known as Centennial Lake is the keystone of this amazing park that draws visitors from all over Maryland to play, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors. The best way to get a handle on the bounty of activities offered here is to take the 2.4 mile loop walk around the gorgeous lake. While there, you’ll find a boat rental outlet so you can take to the water, but be aware that there is no swimming allowed in Centennial Lake. Anglers flock to the park to cast for trout, bass, and other fish that the state stocks in the reservoir. The wetland ecosystem surrounding the lake makes it a great place for birdwatching, with majestic herons, egrets, kingfishers, and more calling it home. The park also has manicured picnic areas, playfields, and more. During the summer, the Parks Department stages a number of concerts at Centennial Park that draw large crowds.

Centennial Park
10000 Route 108
Columbia, MD 21045
http://www.yelp.com/biz/centennial-park-columbia

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