Spend Labor Day Outside!

After a long weekend of either celebrating a victory in Dowdy or drowning in the sorrows of defeat, take it easy on Sunday then get outside and rejuvenate your mind and body on Labor Day! Classes are cancelled and you barely had the energy to get out of bed let alone walk the dog yesterday, but Monday brings a new day and chance to make the most out of a long weekend. Luckily, we Greenvillians have all kinds of outdoor recreational opportunities to take advantage of right here in town and within a short hour drive.

Take a walk or bicycle ride down the South Tar River Greenway! The trail is fully paved and is parallel to the Tar River and in total the trail is a manageable 3.1 miles in length. For more information on the greenway, feel free to check it out at:  Greenville Greenways

Next, you could go just 1 hour south to find the beautiful Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. This state park has breathtaking cliff views of the Neuse river, four hiking trails, plenty of secluded fishing spots, rental boats, and a beach area. In addition, there are picnic spots and campsites available for reservation any time of the year. Visit Cliffs of the Neuse State Park for a getaway weekend that’s not all that far away from home.  For more information, visit:
Cliffs of the Neuse state park

Wildwood Park is the newest recreational facility in Greenville.  It is located at 3450 Blue Heron Drive.  Phase 1 amenities include:

• • Parking Lot with 131 spaces
  • Shelter Improvements for Outdoor Events
  • 1.5 mile Natural Surface Trail
  • Sandy Beach
  • Kayak Launch
  • Floating Dock with 3 Boat Slips
  • Waterfront Camping Platform
  • Paved entrance on Blue Heron Drive

Sylvan Heights Bird Park is designed to give visitors an unforgettable up-close experience with over 2,000 waterfowl, parrots, toucans, flamingos, and other exotic birds from around the world. Open to the public since October 2006, the 18-acre facility features spacious, walk- through aviaries displaying birds from South America, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.  The aviaries are surrounded by tranquil gardens and lush natural areas, which enhance the beauty of the birds on exhibit and immerse visitors in native North Carolina wildlife habitat.  Sylvan Heights Bird Park seeks to advance conservation of waterfowl and wetlands, to act as a local educational resource for avian biology and wetlands ecology, and to serve as an international center for avicultural training and research.  For more information, visit:  Sylvan Heights

Last, but certainly not least, River Park North is an enchanting park located across the Tar River from ECU. River Park North has a bounty of amenities to offer including five ponds, rental fishing and pedal boats, campsites, hiking trails, picnic tables and a sand volleyball court. One of the things that makes this park a delight to visit is how the beginning of the hiking trail is engulfed by overhanging trees to make for a romantic picturesque sunset hike. For all park details, you can head over to: River Park North