Margaret L

Where else but the Lone Shieling Trail can you see 350 year old sugar maple trees! This area has is one of the largest old growth hardwood forests in the Maritimes. One of the most protected areas of the park, access is restricted to this short loop trail. You can find a replica of a Scottish crofter's hut at the beginning of the trail. It’s like stepping back in time and walking through a fai...

What was once a vacant and deteriorated site, Franklin-Ivar Park was rehabilitated and turned into a small neighborhood park in a densely-populated area in Hollywood. More like a parklette, Franklin-Ivar Park returns some of the native habitats that once thrived in this area on the slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains. The park features a variety of California native plants, a small outdoor am...

Trail riding can’t get better than this. The Rum Runner trail is a bit tricky to find if you're not from the area, but Google maps will show you the way. This is a popular trail used for hiking, biking, and running, and plenty of places to stop and soak in the amazing views. It starts in Halifax and goes all the way to the colorful town of Lunenburg, which happens to be a UNESCO heritage site. ...

If you're looking to hang out in downtown Dartmouth in green space with a view and no hills, Ferry Terminal Park is the spot! The locals say the best view of Halifax can be seen from there. A great farmers market in the terminal and a nice playground park for kids to explore and play. Great spot for a family walk with amazing views of Halifax. The playground is small but the ground is nice and...

In 2009, the people that lived in the neighborhood, close to the stairs, wanted to find a way to fight the graffiti that was being put on the structures and stairs themselves. Artist Ricardo Mendoza was commissioned to paint a giant mural that would cover most of the concrete walls that surround and are along the steps. The mural is titled "Fluid City Rising" and is still beautiful. Of course, ...

Climb a historical landmark in LA. This is where the famous, Academy Award winning short, Laurel and Hardy made called "The Music Box”. Filmed back in the 1930's the story is about two movers trying to deliver a piano, up these steps. There is a plaque is dedicated at the bottom to this film. It’s faded but you can still see images of their faces. If you happen to get stuck on the upper level,...

Found in the heart of Dartmouth, Leighton Dillman Park is a great place to stroll through the paths. It is a bit hilly in places, so it can feel like it's more of a hike. The view is worth the climb. There are benches and shaded, covered, areas where you can rest or enjoy your lunch. There is also the community oven and some gardens. From what we were told, the community gets together on occasi...

Fort Needham by far my favorite park in Halifax. We stumbled upon it completely by accident and was pleasantly surprised to find that the entire park was a memorial and is beautifully done. The landscaping has been designed to tell the story of the Halifax explosion. A must for history buffs. Incredible green space in the city overlooking the harbor where 2 ships collided on December 6, 1917. D...

Halifax Public Gardens was first established by the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society in 1836, and grew to its present size and layout in 1875. It was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1984. The gardens are a perfect display of a Victorian garden, carefully laid out and well-tended for public enjoyment. A must see if you're visiting Halifax! Admission and tours are free, and volunteers...

The waterfront structure, Kalvebod Bølge, is an amazing promenade that was designed to be explored. It rises to different levels and stretches out over the water providing a space for a range of activities in and out of the water. Before the Kalvebod Bølge was opened in 2013, this area along Copenhagen's waterfront, used to be predominantly made up of office buildings and businesses. The Kalve...

A kid’s park of all parks! Talk about a poster child of parks! The US could take a lesson! A special beautiful spot, with plenty to do for kids small and big kids like us. Plenty of grassy and shaded spaces, far away from roads, and wonderful gardens to explore in.  This is definitely one of the very few parks where you see the parents and children can play together on the different kinds of s...

Tivoli Garden's park opened on 15 August, 1843 and is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world,

Elephant Seal Vista Point is a favorite place to see the elephant seals. If you’re in the area and have the opportunity, it's a must see. During the Spring, the adult elephant seals and the baby seals are out. Nearby are easy, clearly marked, walking paths, along the cliffs edge. Dogs are not allowed on the paths.

Saddleback Butte State Park is a state park in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert. It’s oftentimes looked over, but you’d be surprised what you can find there. Definitely a place to stop. It is located east of Lancaster. It can get hot so make sure to bring lots of water and wear sunscreen. in the unincorporated community of Hi Vista. It can get hot so make sure to bring lots of w...

The “Piano Stairs” is a stair mural in Silver Lake neighborhood section of LA. Not to be confused with the “Music Box” staircase that is close by. These 90 steps were painted to look like the piano keyboard by the artist Carrey. Great for a cardio workout and not as creepy as some of the stairs have become. Close to local eats so a good excuse to get a short workout in before.

One of my favorite parks in Toronto, Berczy Park boasts the most amazing water fountain you’ll ever see in your life. It is purely dedicated to the love of dogs with a token and symbolic gesture, to our other beloved family pet, the cat. Let’s see if you can find them! Berczy Park is named after William Berczy, a German-born architect, surveyor, and writer often considered a co-founder of mode...

The Salt Marsh Trail is absolutely one of our favourites in the Cole Harbour/Lawrencetown region of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. The trail is a former railway line, now converted to a level, fine gravel trail which is part of the rails to trails system. We biked the trail in the Fall and the leaves were bursting with color! It’s a wonderful trail that starts off in the forest and then opens up...

Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles has a loop that is about 1 mile around. It’s a pretty busy park, that has ducks and geese everywhere. Beautiful lotus blossoms and iris flowers in the lake. Generally flat and one tiny incline that can easily be avoided. You can also rent swan paddleboats that light up at night. There is the chain link fence that now encloses the park, surrounding the lake, which s...

Beautiful set of cabins, designed and built by the owner, Ton. Originally from the Netherlands, super nice and happy to share local hikes and adventures. Cabins are affordable and come with your own “comfort station”: a separate building, with your own toilet, sink, and shower. Book your cabin here! 

Recently opened in 2021, right behind the LA Library in Chinatown, you’ll find this secret gem, tucked away in the corner. Covered picnic tables, with checkerboard game boards in place, and all gender bathrooms with changing tables for the little ones. Two play areas as well as a small climbing wall and exercise equipment on two levels. Along the outside of the park is a set of 147 steps you ca...

The Colorado Lagoon is a wetland that is being restored. To make this 1 mile walk into a loop, you have to walk along sidewalks near the park. This is a very kid-friendly destination. This trail crosses over the lagoon on a boardwalk. It also accesses a sandy swimming beach with restrooms, picnic areas, nature center, and a model boat shop. The hike itself is flat and level

Nibley Park is a small and secluded park with lots of trees and green area. There are a number of picnic tables and a restroom, that is ADA compliant. The playground is small but two separate play areas that are marked for their specific ages for young kids to have fun. There is also a half court basketball area and two tennis courts. I went on a weekday and there were a number of people enjoyi...

Great find! Close to Buttermilks and town. Clean vault toilets but bring your own water. The time we went there the pumps were not working. Each site has fire rings, picnic tables and latern hooks. It can get pretty windy and exposed, so bring the appropriate gear. The campground has 49 tent/RV campsites with 4 pull-through parking spaces. There are no hookups, but there are potable water pump...

Head out on Benjies Lake Trail early and you can have the whole place to yourself. So worth the short hike because at the end, you’re rewarded with a serene lake. We had the place all to ourselves! It was heaven!  Moose have been known to frequent here, but unfortunately on our trip, we did not get to see one. Gives us more reason to come back. It took us about 35-40 minutes out-and-back, but ...