Address: 3500 Bethal Rd, Wilmington, NC 28409
Tucked away at the end of Bethel Road in the “Pine Valley” area of Wilmington is James E. L. Wade Park, also known as “Wade Park”. It is a 17-acre wetland park filled with nature, beautiful scenery, a playground, covered picnic area and a .5 mile paved trail. The trail is wide enough to ride bikes around or simply walk around pushing a stroller.
- Parking – A small parking lot fits ~ 12 cars
- Restrooms – Available
- Stroller Friendly: yes!
Small playground area beside the sheltered picnic area 
Me and Brooke on the trail 
Educational signs about the wildlife 
Boardwalk over the Marshland
On my last visit, I saw a ton of red-winged black birds and they were really neat to watch and listen to. As you can see below, this park also is the beginning of the “Gary Shell Cross-City Trail”. As covered on City of Wilmington’s website “The Cross-City Trail is a 15 mile off-road, multi-use trail that runs from Wade Park, through Halyburton Park and Empie Park to the Heide-Trask Drawbridge at the Intracoastal Waterway. The trail provides bicycle and pedestrian access to numerous recreational, cultural and educational destinations in Wilmington.” Click here for more details on the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail.
I hope you find Wade Park as relaxing, scenic and educational as I did. Enjoy friends!
Your Friend – Amanda