Locke Paddon Wetlands Park

With the tall reeds and lively population of ducks and geese, this wetland throwback may seem like a perfect place to enjoy nature with your family. It has wide trails for a stroll around the pond, but if you want to bring the little ones, leave the stroller at home. I tried taking my baby there on our way to the library, but the deep sandy trails were very difficult to navigate. I had to plow and drag my stroller along the path. It appears like a smooth stroll, but what should have been a nice walk in the park became stressful and frustrating. Obviously it isn’t wheelchair accessible. I know Marina is pretty much all sand, but they can do better.

Going to the «Duck Pond» as we referred to it in the 90’s was a childhood treat of mine. I used to enjoy coming here with my grandfather and my little brother. My grandpa would give us a loaf of bread and drive us down here in his Chevy Lumina. Once we’d arrive, we would feed the ducks and Canadian Geese, we’d subsequently chase them out of the park once they were done eating. I would always take the dirt trail en route to my friend’s house who lived clear across town and I remember the water levels being a lot more voluminous then they are now. The maintenance of the surrounding foliage was also upkept better, I’m hoping this is a product of the dwindling economy instead of just negligence.
Many years later, the water levels are lower, ducks and geese are less prevalent than they have been and the general appearance of the park is only a shell of what it previously was. A sad predicament for a park that I used to enjoy so much.
If this was the 12 year old version of me, I would have given the Duck Pond 5 stars without question. 17 years later, I’m seeing the park for what it really is, an undermaintained cesspool of memories. Memories of a place that really was spectacular at one point in time.

You want to make sure any kids that are with you don’t go into the water (high bacteria count) but it’s a pleasant enough park to walk around or through on the way to the library. It’s nice to be able to see and feed the birds who will sometimes come up and serenade the horns of locking cars.

Very cool small water park to walk around, with many birds wanting to be fed. We have done the walk about a few times. Not very extensive exercise, but we keep trying to get up and go none the less. You have got to keep moving the body.