Although a little oddly located at the dead end of a street of apartment buildings and townhouses adjacent to 15 – 501, Sandy Creek Park is a hidden gem for all Durham explorers and nature enthusiasts alike. Oddly enough, the park is located on the site of one of Durham’s old sewage treatment plants, three large green tanks remain at the park reminding patrons of its pervious use. However, when Martin Luther King Parkway was built, the city changed the old sewage treatment center into a wetlands area and thus the park was born. Whether you’re looking for a running trail, park benches, picnic benches, an outdoor grill, a butterfly garden, a field for an sport you can think of or even bocce ball courts, Sandy Creek Park has got you covered. Since the park now has a wetlands, be warned that it can be muddy after rainy days. The field leads into the wetlands and the 10 foot wide(0.65 mile one way), paved running path can also accumulate sand and mud after heavy rain. However, that is that only downside to the area. Otherwise, it’s quite, great for bird watching, a picnic or even an outdoor party. You might even spot other wildlife including beavers, deer, otters, coyotes, a red fox or turtles. I noticed it’s a common lunch spot for professional around the area. On my visit on a Friday afternoon about 12:30p, there were about five to six cars that came and went, most people stayed in their cars being that it was about 40 degrees outside, but I braved the cold and ate on the covered patio that seats at least 32 people(four tables of eight). You won’t want to miss this peaceful, hidden park and I can’t wait to return in the spring when the butterfly garden is in full swing! I could definitely see myself grilling out here with a group of friends, although the park does close at dark. They also do have restroom facilities, however they are closed during the winter.
