With Towering Oak Trees, Creeks, and Ponds, Mahany Nature Preserve Is a Wonderful Place to Explore

My family has been going to Mahany Park for years, but it took us a long time to finally explore the open space to the West of the playground, baseball fields, and dog park. My son and I went for a nature walk after a big storm and had fun trying to find a spot to cross the creek. We found a big branch and tried to make a bridge, we walked alongside to find a narrow spot, and finally, we were able to jump across. It typically isn’t this difficult to traverse, especially in Spring through Fall. The preserve can be accessed from multiple locations; the parking lot near Bear Dog Park, the neighborhood off Aylesbury Way, to the West off of Fiddyment Road, or off of Pleasant Grove near the entrance to Sun City.

There are plans in progress with the city to create a paved pathway through the nature preserve in order to keep plants and wildlife safe as there are many side trails that have been created aside from the main path by walkers. The paved path will also create a safe crossing over the creek during times of the year when the water is high.

The Mahany Nature Preserve has many beautiful oak trees, some of which have fallen. It’s a great place to enjoy nature, and perhaps bring a notebook and have your children choose a favorite tree to sketch and “get to know.” We have spotted cranes in the ponds, which are exciting to see.