Newark, Delaware is home to several beautiful parks that offer a nice respite from the bustling city. Whether you are looking for parks with ample green spaces, nature trails, playgrounds for the kids, or sports facilities, Newark has something for everyone.
The parks listed below are the top 12 parks in Newark that you must visit on your trip to the city.
Brandywine Park
Spread over a massive 285 acres along the Christina River, Brandywine Park should be on top of every nature lover’s list while in Newark. The park boasts lush forests, beautiful wildflower meadows, and even a creek running through it.
The park has 4.5 miles of hiking trails that take you past historic ruins, dramatic rock formations, and several species of birds and waterfowl, making it perfect for hiking, walking, and birdwatching. The park also offers picnic facilities so you can take a break while exploring the trails.
Location: Wilmington, DE 19807
Benjamin Banneker Park
For those traveling with children, Benjamin Banneker Park is ideal with its playground, water splash pad, and sports courts. The playground features exciting slides and climbable elements for toddlers to enjoy, while older kids can play basketball at the two full basketball courts located here.
The water splash pad especially is a big hit with children on warm summer days. After getting tired moving around, relax on the park’s open lawns and watch the many cultural programs and concerts hosted at the Ben Barnes Amphitheater through the year.
Location: New London Road, Newark, DE, 19711
Curtis Mill Park
Attracting sportspeople and fitness enthusiasts, Curtis Mills Park offers facilities for tennis, softball, volleyball, football, jogging, and even meditation. If you enjoy leisurely walks or runs amid nature, you will love the 1-mile exercise trail here. The 8.8-acre park also boasts two large ponds as its central features.
So, remember to bring some bread to feed the ducks swimming here. The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day, has plenty of open spaces to hold those picnics and potlucks, and is also pet-friendly.
Location: 601 Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE 19711
Olan Thomas Park
Olan Thomas Park is spread over 22 acres, making it one of the largest parks in Newark. The park features a 1-mile-long walking trail circling a large 15-acre pond that is an inviting place for birders. The trail also connects to the James Hall Trail, so you can embark on long nature walks from here.
Other facilities at the park include two tennis courts, a basketball court, playing grounds, pavilions for holding small gatherings and parties, and a playground for children. Pets are welcome in the park, so you can bring your furry friends as well on your visit here.
Location: 300 New London Road, Newark, DE 19711
White Clay Creek State Park
Offering over 2,000 acres of wilderness, the White Clay Creek State Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The park has 39 miles of hiking and walking trails winding through meadows and forests, which are great for hiking and mountain biking. White Clay Creek itself lends itself easily to kayaking.
Other fun activities possible at the park are birdwatching, wildlife observation, disc golf, archery, fishing and hunting. The park has many pavilions, picnic areas, and playgrounds where families can enjoy outdoor time together. You can also attend the educational programs held here frequently.
Location: Newark, DE 19711
Rittenhouse Park
For families with young kids looking for parks in Newark, Rittenhouse Park checks all the boxes. This pocket-sized, 6.4-acre park has as its showstopper attraction the awesome wooden castle-themed playground structure featuring towers, slides, bridges, and more. Kids can spend hours moving through this structure, exercising their body and mind.
The playground has separate areas for bigger and younger kids. The park also has two tennis courts, one basketball court, and open fields usable for football, frisbee, soccer etc. And there are scenic nature trails great for short walks amid greenery.
Location: Rittenhouse Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Handloff Park
The 23-acre Handloff Park is a peaceful, serene park with diverse features attracting nature enthusiasts. As you take a stroll around the park, you will find a small playground for kids, a meditation labyrinth outlined with stone paths, an open-air pavilion for small events, pretty ornamental flower beds and gardens, and the focal point – a peaceful lily pond. Bring some bread to feed the birds and ducks swimming in the pond.
The lush meadows surrounding it make for picture-perfect backdrops. Handloff Park is also pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your dogs.
Location: 93 E. Cleveland Ave, Newark, DE 19711
Hill Park
Hill Park is a popular 16-acre neighborhood park lying west of Newark’s Downtown area. Families with children frequent the park for its awesome playground comprising all kinds of equipment like swings, seesaws, slides, and more where kids get to run around and have fun.
For older kids and adults, the park offers lighted tennis courts and full basketball courts. The walking trails winding through the park are suitable for taking leisurely strolls admiring the seasonal foliage. The two scenic ponds allow for relaxation while feeding the ducks. You will also find plenty of open green spaces and pavilions for picnicking.
Location: 300 Hillside Road, Newark, DE 19711
Phillips Park
Home to the Newark Senior Center, Phillips Park offers amenities catering to senior citizens, while also featuring attractions for all age groups. Elders can participate in the activities hosted at the Senior Center, while kids have fun at the playground area. For fitness enthusiasts, the park has a parcourse fitness trail with various exercise stations, in addition to lighted tennis courts.
A scenic pond sits at the center complete with a lovely fountain, around which run nearly half a mile of walking trails. Families can relax on the lawns, use the pavilions for holding picnics and parties, or let their dogs socialize at the Bark Park.
Location: Paper Mill Road & South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19711
Fairy Hill Park
Encompassing 25 acres, Fairy Hill Park derives its name from the legend that fairies inhabited the hill here. Today, it is popular for the spectacular 360-degree views of Newark available from the top of the hill.
Of course, you need to hike up to enjoy these views. For this, two trails – the 1/3 mile Storybook Trail and the 1/2 mile Ridge Trail – take you up 75 feet to the highest point of the hill. The park also features playgrounds nestled amid beautiful nature, a basketball court, and open spaces for games, making it ideal for families.
Location: 301 Fairy Hill Dr, Newark, DE 19713
Kells Park
At the 18-acre Kells Park, families can enjoy an afternoon picnic at the pavilions and kids get to expend their boundless energy at the playground area. For sporty folks, the park offers lighted basketball courts and tennis courts. Pet parents will love the Bark Park section where dogs can play freely off leash.
Nature lovers will especially love exploring the hiking trails passing through peaceful wooded areas, wildflower meadows, and wetland areas. Keep a lookout for the many birds, butterflies, and wildlife found here.
Location: 300 Kells Ave, Newark , DE 19711
Rahway Park
Though on the smaller side, Rahway Park delights visitors by managing to pack diverse attractions. Families enjoy picnicking on the open grounds and children like playing at the playground area. For sportspeople, there are provisions for tennis, volleyball, pickleball, bocce ball, shuffleboard, and even cricket! Pets can enjoy walks on the lush lawns and short trails along the ponds.
The ponds themselves attract diverse waterfowl which can be viewed from the comfort of park benches. Rahway frequently hosts community events bringing locals together.
Location: 15 Kirkwood Highway, Newark, DE 19711
Conclusion
Newark’s parks offer the perfect spots amid nature to relax, exercise, play, or enjoy family time outdoors. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, birdwatching, having picnics, or playing sports; whether you have toddlers, teenagers, or aging parents – Newark’s ample parks have something for all ages.
So spend an afternoon exploring these parks on your trip to Newark for wholesome outdoor family fun.