April 17, 2023 As the temperatures keep rising and flowers begin blooming, there is no…
June 21, 2024
Summer is officially here, and you know what that means? More and more people are heading outdoors to enjoy the sun. The sunshine on my face gives me the energy I need in the morning to head outside for physical activities like running or walking. Finding the ideal location, whether running 10 minutes, 10 miles, or just walking, is crucial. I enjoy running on flat surfaces, like roads or sidewalks, which may be unsafe depending on your area. Since moving to Mebane, I knew I had to find the safest and best place to run!
I recently stumbled upon the Mebane Community Park at 550 W. Center Street. When I pulled in, I was shocked to see how much the park had to offer for everyone, not just someone looking to run. What first caught my eye was the .5-mile walking trail, which is paved and ran alongside the outer edge of the other amenities. These amenities include the only two artificial turf ball fields operated by a municipality in Alamance County, according to Mebane Recreation and Parks, a dog park, playground, splash pad, and Cone Health Community Fitness Court. The community park covers almost 32 acres and has everything you and your family need for a perfect summer day.
The walking trail is exactly .5 miles, just like the park claimed. This is hard to find at most trails, so consider me impressed. The trail, or paved walkway, does not have an exact "trailhead," but starting closest to the parking lot made the most sense. There were lots of people already using the trail to walk or run, which was exciting to see. You could go left or right where I started, so I chose right. When I started my run, I was excited to see more of the park you could not see from the parking lot. I caught a glimpse of a pond, though you cannot fish in it, and also saw a construction area where it looks like the park is adding more parking spaces. Since I started my run to the right, there were a few small hills I had to run up, so if you do not enjoy hills, I would begin your walk or run on the left side!
Continuing my run, I came across the park's turf fields. There were already a few groups of people using the fields for soccer. This is an excellent area for all kinds of sports that looks highly maintained, which is lovely to see. It's easy to see that Mebane takes pride in its recreational facilities so that residents get the best experience.
I almost finished the first loop when I came across the Cone Health Community Fitness Court. This fitness court can be used in many ways to provide full-body workouts for adults of any ability level and age. This fitness area is very intriguing and excellent for those who want to head outside for a workout instead of the typical gym setting. While I did not try the equipment, it would be a great way to incorporate new workouts.
That day, I ran two miles on the walking trail, meaning four laps total. My run went smoothly, and I felt safe throughout it. When I finished the run, I checked out the dog park. With a family dog, this park is a great space to bring him. They have the park divided up, one for small dogs and the other for large dogs. Remarkably, the park is divided by dog size, so no one has to worry about their furry friends.
Mebane Community Park is a great place to catch rays, increase physical activity, have family fun, and play with your dogs! Open from dusk till dawn, the park is a great gem. You can find it right here in Mebane. Many people use the park; however, it feels open. Alongside its larger amenities, the park offers an open play space near the shelter that could be used for picnics, playing with your kids, or just lying down and relaxing. Summer is here, so make a point to head over to the Mebane Community Park to play in the sun and explore what's there to offer!