We tried to visit Brookhaven Nature Park last summer during the height of the pandemic, but it was closed for construction. We went again this past week and were excited to see that most of the construction is now completed and the trail is open for hiking! I’m not entirely sure what was at the park before it was updated, but now there’s a nice deck for viewing wildlife and a scenic bridge passing over the creek. It’s the perfect place to bring your water shoes and just play and splash in the water!
Walk the Trail
Brookhaven Nature Park is a 26 acre wooded area with a paved walking trail. The trail is in need of some attention, so I wouldn’t say it’s great for strollers. It’s narrow and bumpy due to roots overgrowing the path, so I would stick to foot traffic only.
The path meanders through the woods and along a creek. I’m not entirely sure how long the path is, but we were able to find a very short loop that was probably only about a quarter of a mile. There were lots of other paths available though, so I bet you could make yours into a much longer hike if you wanted. Either way, it’s a great place to take a walk, and we’re adding it to our list of favorites!
entering the park 
wildlife viewing deck 
paved walking trail 
bridge over the creek 
playing in the creek
Play in the Water
Similar to Mill Bridge Nature Park, Brookhaven Nature Park is a great place to let the kids splash and play in the water. I was a bit worried about seeing snakes after our last encounter with one at Mill Bridge, but we were there in April and didn’t see any. I would definitely keep an eye out though, as the park signs say they are commonly found in this area. There are multiple access points to the creek along the trail, so you are sure to find a great place to setup and beat the heat in the cool water. There are plenty of flat areas, but watch out because the rocks get slippery!
There is still some construction going on, but there is a lot of parking available at the park, so you shouldn’t have any issues. I believe they are building a new school adjacent to the park. Supposedly there’s also a pond nearby, so if you walk far enough and find it let us know in the comments below!