Yauger Park

This loop around a green park is perfect for a quick nature walk right in the city.

Start at the wide paved path toward the playground. When you reach the playground, head right along the left of the playground, and continue onto the gravel path along the field. From here, the loop will likely get quieter until you reach the opposite side. If you continue forward instead of continuing around the playground, you’ll hit the restrooms.

The trail will alternate between dirt and gravel from here, with the field to your left. In about 0.1 miles, turn right and then immediately left to continue on the trail, moving slightly away from the field.

In a few hundred feet, you can take a left here to approach the stormwater wetland. This area could be flooded, in which case you’ll continue along the trail. If this area is not flooded, it’s a beautiful area to explore with a small network of trails around plant life, small ponds with ducks, and benches dotted throughout. Walk to the other end to continue the loop by turning left to head back toward where you started.

If the area is flooded, continue forward on the trail toward the road. Turn left on the sidewalk when you reach the road, where a dirt trail will appear along your left soon. Walk on the dirt trail, and within a few hundred feet, cross a small wooden bridge and turn left to stay on the trail. Here, you can also access the inlet again to the left.

In about 0.1 miles, turn right to stay on the trail. The field will be on your left again, and in 0.2 miles, either head outside the gate to walk along the sidewalk a little ways, or walk through the skatepark if it’s not too crowded. If you choose to walk on the sidewalk, you’ll shortly hit another gate back into the park onto a wide gravel trail.

Turn onto the wide gravel trail, which will eventually lead into a small forested area near the parking lot, about 0.2 miles away. The loop ends near the north end of the parking lot.