On a recent visit to the Kensington Metropark, we enjoyed seeing the baby animals and taking a hay ride at the Farm Center. But this part of the park offers a few hidden treasures as well.
If you walk down the hill, you will find a labyrinth, a thatched roof cottage, a seasonal grass maze and a wooden tractor. For kids who love rocks and the outdoors, there is enough here to keep them busy for an hour at least; maybe more if you bring a picnic and enjoy your meal by the river nearby.
The labyrinth is a wonderful feature, with stones marking the path. It’s manageable for all ages and fitness levels and is a fun challenge. It was the Eagle Scout project of a young man named Owain Kert. It was installed in August 2013. My son loved racing through the 50-foot diameter labyrinth and conquering it. He wasn’t alone.
The thatched roof cottage is also a delight. Made entirely of natural materials, this little cottage is a shady and cool retreat. It’s awesome to look at and spend time in and many children were enjoying some make-believe play during our visit.
There is also a cool wooden tractor to climb in and pretend on and many children – including my son – had a blast there.
The area is also home to the new early skills area, which features a blacksmith shop and a brick oven and is open for adult classes on weekends. It’s worth looking into if you want to learn how to make a nail, cook over an open fire or do some woodworking.
Check out our reviews of the Farm Center and Splash & Blast both at Kensington Metropark.
Korie is a work at home mom to an energetic boy and a sweet todder girl. She loves big books, chocolate, writing, crochet and her Peloton. A recovering former journalist, Korie is also a wife, cook and allergy mama. Follow her on Twitter at @koriemw.