Hiking with Children

Wandering with Children

Here, I've tried to capture some thoughts on hiking with pre-teen children. The capabilities of children, even under 13, vary a lot, both in terms of physical capability and emotional capability.  Some children are adventurous and will take on any hike. Others, even if they have the endurance, will get bored quick "Are we there yet?" Here are a few places where I tend to see more children than other places. For full disclosure, I do not have children of my own (though I'm told I'm child like at times).  Back to the Full List.

Jones Park - a lot of children are draw to water and rocks, and rocks in water. Jones Park offers a lot of this with various trails criss-crossing the creek. The slopes around the creek are not steep. There is also a fun bridge to cross and the remains of an old cabin (chimney) to explore. The trails in general are not steep, so less likely to be ask to be carried.

IBM Glen - the wider trails in most sections allow you to walk side by side with children, or push a stroller. There are steeper sections that migh wear out short legs, but there are routes to help avoid that. The easiest way to get to the "creek" is to take Jones Trail to Wildflower Lane to Hemlock Lane to the Switchback Trail which takes you down to a creek crossing. Please note that the creek is more difficult to cross after a heavy rain.

Wolfe Park - Again if you want to turn rocks over in the creek, you can get down to the creek if you cross the big bridge at the start and go to the right. After this sectino the creek cuts deeper and deeper and the slope down to it is more challenging. Wolfe Park has a lot of mud except when frozen or peak of summer dry spell. Some kids love mud. There are some trails that are a bit steeper. And I'd suggest you keep an eye on children if you take the Rim trail as there are some drop offs along there.

Apalachin Marsh - The highlight for some children may be over before you really start as you go through a tunnel under the eastbound lanes of Route 86. The Marsh is soggy at places and where you can get to the water the mud sucks you in, so you can't necessarily 'play in the water'. Some children will enjoy the bird blind because it's an interesting structure.

Oakley Corners State Forest - The longer trails here may tire out the youngest ones. But the elevation changes aren't that drastic, especially on the southern trails (Yellow & Red). Several trails follow small streams and have little bridges. There is aso two pond areas that can be fun.

Brick Pond - The pond has a few things going for it - flat trails, short distance, and a lot of wildlife. As in any outdoor adventure in the area, please take precautions with ticks. 

Stair Park - This Vestal neighborhood park has easy access to the Fuller Hollow Creek, a nice playground, and a rudimentary trail. For longer adventures, cross the bridge to Lehigh Ave and then onto the Binghamton University Nature Preserve.

Stroller Access

For the tiniest that are in strollers, here are a few recommendations. There are probably also a number of neighborhood parks that would be good options. These are just a subset of my overall wandering list that I felt had some value to those pushing strollers.

Otsiningo Park - This is probably my top recommendation. You have facilities and the paths are fairly smooth. There is a large loop to help avoid backtracking if you choose. You'll be in eye sight of water either in form of pond or the Chenango River. Trees offer some breaks in shade during hottest days. Can also combine with playground use.

Vestal Rail Trail - Another good choice with smooth, well-maintained paths. A bit noisy and some consider the straightness to be boring, but I find a lot to see along the way, especially if you include the western section. 

IBM Glen - The trails are not sidewalk smooth like other locations, but the trails that were once the driveways of the Glen make pushing a stroller easier, and they are wide enough that you can walk side-by-side with a friend. The traffic is less than Vestal Rail Trail or Otsiningo Park so you aren't constantly hearing "On your left" and having to move to the side when walking side-by-side. Note though that getting a stroller to the water falls is not recommended. I might also avoid the southern most parts of Hemlock and Maple and Spring Trails because of the steep climb. Remember at the Glen, you park at the higher elevation so the climb can be on the way back.

Port Dickinson Community Park - You'll need to do multiple laps to get your 10,000 steps, but I just like this small park for some reason, perhaps the variety of older trees giving shade or the glimpses of the Chenango River you are afforded. Smooth blacktop, flat walking trails make pushing a stroller a breeze.