The power of social media to allow you to Journey Moore Often.
One of our FB friends showed interest in the Newark Reservoir Hike, hosted by the Friends of White Clay Creek, and run by the Wilmington Trail Club. It sounded interesting, so we decided to show up to see what it was all about.
The weather forecast was cloudy and not supposed to be above 32 degrees, making us a little leary, but figuring that would possibly scare people away. We were wrong. The Wilmington Trail Club anticipated somewhere around 14-18 total participants. When the count was done, 71 people showed up for the event. Most of us who showed up were first timers with the Wilmington Trail Club’s scheduled hikes.
Social media created a 71 person, 4-5 mile hike in 32 degree weather. The club was definitely pleasantly overwhelmed and it was good to see their success. The organizers were very kind and patiently worked through until everyone was signed in.
When we arrived at the meeting point (the reservoir parking lot) there were already a good 40 people there. By the time we parked and went to the leaders, the rest arrived and there was no parking left. On a normal day, we would think that the parking lot would be more than adequate.
The William M. Redd, Junior Park is a 68.5 acre park located off Paper Mill Road, but can be accessed from multiple locations. There are two signed entrances, but the official one off Paper Mill Road. The official one is marked as turning onto Odessa Way into The Woods at Louviers subdivision, following Odessa Lane almost to the end, then turning left on Nemours Lane. Just as you turn, there’s a parking lot that serves the park entrance, and also has a small playground area.
Image by Google Maps
Like any trail at the beginning there’s a description and a trail map.
Fran was our guide for the day and he gave us the basic instructions for the hike. Fran wore a florescent orange hat so if we needed to find him we could do so without much effort.
During the hike he called out when bikers were coming through so everyone could get to the side in an organized fashion in order to allow the bikers to pass the group easily.
The initial trail is adjacent to the reservoir and is macadam, and is accessible for wheelchairs to the extent if they can negotiate the incline of the path, they’ll be able to go around the entire reservoir at the top. At the top, it’s quite peaceful and beautiful, and geese appear to enjoy it as well.
Once on the trail, there’s lots of nature to enjoy as the trail weaves back and forth along the stream the runs through the park.
At the northeast corner of the reservoir, there’s a link to the William M. Redd, Junior Park. Once in the park itself, there’s a series of trails throughout the park, with connections to every subdivision.
The State of Delaware switched from painted markings to posts as they are easier to maintain. Each post has its longitude and latitude marked at the bottom, with the top showing the different trails and providing directional guidance.
The park itself is sandwiched in between the reservoir on the south side, and a series of housing developments to the west, east, and north.
Image by Google Maps
The trail end stretches at the north end of the park in a cul-de-sac at the end of Middle Drive in a tiny 15 lot subdivision near the southeast corner of the intersection of Paper Mill Road and Possum Park Road.
If you want to get more information on the Wilmington Trail Club or want to become a member, click here. They’re a great group and it only costs $18 per year per person, or $30 per person per household/family.