Squirrel Lake Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Squirrel Lake Park offers a unique blend of natural exploration and traditional playground fun, featuring interactive learning pillars along its walking/bike paths, varied play sets including baby bucket swings, and opportunities for unique nature activities like tadpoling and crawfishing. It's praised as a semi-quiet, scenic location perfect for families, dog owners, and those seeking outdoor recreation, including a direct connection to a 4-mile greenway.
Key Highlights
- ✓Interactive learning pillars along the walking/bike path engage children with educational content.
- ✓Playground equipped with diverse play sets and swings, including baby bucket seats for infants and toddlers.
- ✓Opportunities for hands-on nature exploration such as tadpoling and crawfishing in the creek.
- ✓Dog-friendly trails, making it ideal for walks with pets.
- ✓Offers a 'semi quiet place' during the day, particularly suitable for small children.
- ✓Connects directly to a 4-mile Greenway, extending outdoor activity options to downtown Matthews.
- ✓Features a 'little free library' box by seating areas for sharing children's books.
- ✓Scenic pond provides a tranquil spot for relaxation.
- ✓Includes a disc golf setup for additional recreational activities.
Standout Features
- ⭐Multi-use walking/bike path with integrated interactive learning pillars.
- ⭐Comprehensive playground equipment including swings with baby bucket seats.
- ⭐Creek access for unique nature activities like tadpoling and crawfishing.
- ⭐Designated dog-friendly walking trails.
- ⭐Excellent picnic areas available for family meals.
- ⭐Community-focused 'Little Free Library' box.
- ⭐Disc golf course.
- ⭐Direct connection to the 4-mile Greenway to downtown Matthews.
- ⭐On-site restrooms (though with closing time caveats).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Verify Closing Times**: Be aware that restrooms and the parking lot gate might close earlier than advertised (e.g., before 7pm). Plan your visit accordingly if staying late.
- →**Bring a Stroller or Bike**: The park features extensive paths perfect for walking or riding.
- →**Prepare for Nature Play**: If children enjoy aquatic exploration, bring small nets or buckets for tadpoling and crawfishing in the creek.
- →**Pack a Picnic**: Utilize the park's great picnic areas for meals, as outside food is welcome.
- →**Wear Appropriate Footwear**: Expect muddy conditions on trails, particularly near the creek, after rain.
- →**Consider Bringing Books**: Participate in the Little Free Library by dropping off or picking up children's books.
- →**Plan for Limited Parking**: Due to 'pitiful' parking availability, consider arriving during off-peak hours or having alternative parking strategies.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Park restrooms and parking lot gate may lock up before advertised 'dusk' or online closing times (e.g., before 7pm), leading to inconvenience.
- ⚠Lack of posted park hours at the entry points can cause confusion regarding operational times.
- ⚠Parking is described as 'pitiful' and very limited, potentially fewer than 15 spots, creating significant challenges during busy periods.
- ⚠Trails, especially near the creek, can become muddy after rainfall, requiring appropriate footwear.
Price & Value
Entry appears to be free, consistent with a public park, offering excellent value given the wide array of activities available (playground, interactive path, nature exploration, disc golf, hiking, picnics). No specific hidden costs were mentioned beyond potential parking inconvenience.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Walking/bike paths are described as suitable for strollers.
- •Restrooms are available on-site.
- •No specific mention of wheelchair accessibility for all areas or sensory-friendly accommodations.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food is explicitly welcome and encouraged, with multiple mentions of 'great picnic areas' and no reported restrictions.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking is available but severely limited, described as 'pitiful' and potentially fewer than 15 spots.
- •The parking lot gate may close earlier than posted park hours, although it features a sensor for exiting vehicles.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Generally described as having 'plenty of space to stay away from people if desired' and being a 'semi quiet place during the day for your small children'.
- •Limited parking suggests it can attract significant interest, but no specific times for heavy crowds are noted beyond implied demand from parking issues.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Playground includes modern amenities like baby bucket seats for swings.
- •The expansive layout offers 'plenty of space to stay away from people if desired', contributing to a sense of personal safety.
- •No explicit mentions of dedicated staff supervision, security personnel, or first aid stations.
⏰When to Avoid
- • **Late Evenings**: Avoid visiting too close to advertised closing times, especially if you rely on restrooms or anticipate an easy exit from the parking lot, as facilities may shut early.
- • **Immediately After Rain**: Steer clear if you wish to avoid muddy trails, particularly near the creek.
- • **Peak Hours (for parking)**: Do not expect ample, easy parking during potentially busy times, as parking is very limited.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 7 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Katie Glaze
a year agoAbsolutely gorgeous location. The scenery was splendid and fill of nature and things to explore. The walking/bike path had interactive pillars for kids to learn, there was plenty of space to stay away from people if desired, and there was a great discgolf set up. The kids were able to play on and enjoy the various play sets they had, along with the swings that also had the baby bucket seats. There is a little free library box right by the benches and sitting area where you can pick up or drop off children's books for others to enjoy. The pond was a great spot for my son to relax by as well. Parking was OK and there are restrooms here.
Robin F
7 months agoEdit: We come here all the time with our new puppy and she absolutely loves walking the trail. What a great park. We took our sweet dog there and we enjoyed walking to the creek. It had been raining so it was muddy but the park is beautiful. We’ll be back to have a picnic now that the weather is cooling off.
TAMMY CARRARA
a month agoSo much fun ...for children of all ages! My grandchildren enjoyed 2 hours of tadpoling and crawfishing....and time at the playground. If you're looking for a semi quiet place during the day for your small children....you must try Squirrel Lake Park. And bring a stroller...plenty of park to walk!!!
Marina Kravchenko
a month agoBeautiful park with great picnic areas and playground. Nice place for Hiking as well.
Caddie
a month agoEven though the hours online say they're open until dusk (aka 7:30pm currently) they lock up the bathrooms and shut the parking lot gate before 7pm when we visited over the weekend. Thankfully the gate has a sensor to let people who looked up the park hours before visiting out of the park. They have no hours posted up on entry, the parking is pitiful, but the park itself is gorgeous and connects to the 4-mile Greenway to downtown Matthews! If only they'd have realized what they had and prepared for such interest with more than 15 parking spots but 🙄🤷🏽♀️