Radnor Lake State Natural Area

One of the real gems in our city is Radnor Lake State Natural Area. Located on the south side of town among the bustling areas of Brentwood, Oak Hills, and Green Hills, this 750 acre park is Tennessee’s first State Natural Area.

The lake was impounded in 1914 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad to provide a source of water for its steam engines.  Radnor Yards was located in the area as well at that time and the lake was to provide water for the livestock.  The railroad executives also saw it as a private hunting and fishing preserve.  What no one planned on were the birds that looked down from their migratory paths and saw a lake.  In less than ten years, the area was off limits to hunters and fishermen and became a wildlife sanctuary.

The area remained virtually untouched and unnoticed until the early 1960s when the land was purchased for a housing development.  That idea was quickly shot down by concerned local citizens.  In the early 1970s funds were raised to purchase the property and the state’s first natural area was born.

Today, Radnor is used primarily by hikers, birders, photographers, and naturalists.  Being a natural area, there are no bikes, pets, or jogging allowed on the trails.  There’s also no picnicking allowed nor off trail hiking.  That’s not to say it’s a wilderness area.  Certainly not.  There are plenty of wooden steps, bridges, and benches along the trails to make hiking and walking a pleasant experience.

Up until about 15 years ago, Otter Creek Road ran through the park.  The shoulders of the road were badly deteriorated and the road was closed to motorized traffic.  Although the road is only about a mile and a half long, it’s still a favorite place for bicyclists, dog walkers, and young mothers with strollers.  Joggers are often seen running the road, as well.

There are several options for hikes here.  For our hike today we chose to park at the East parking lot and walked the access trail to the Lake Trail.  By walking a short distance along the road we were then able to connect to the South Lake trail.  After about a mile on the South Lake Trail we did another short section of road, crossed the gravel walkway across the dam which put us back on the other end of the Lake Trail.  Because a bathroom break is always a good choice, we took the Spillway trail to the Nature Center.

The Nature Center

Unfortunately for us, the restrooms were out of order.  Fortunately for us, it was just outside the Nature Center were we saw the beautiful barred owl.  I’d heard there was an owl living here, but I’d never been lucky enough to see him.  Today he perched on the limb and posed for photos until I was tired and walked away.  Then he posed for the next photographer.  Wow, what a treat.

Since the restrooms were closed, we had to hurry right along back to the East parking lot.  For the return trip we walked along the Lake Trail then took the Ganier Ridge trail up and over the hill back to the access trail and the parking lot for a 4.6 mile loop hike.  Thankfully, those restrooms were open.

View of the lake from South Lake Trail

Gene had some birthday money burning a hole in his pocket, so after our hike we stopped in at REI.  We have friends who work at REI and we got to see two of them today.  It was fun talking to Missing Link.  He has just completed a section hike of the Appalachian Trail.  He was out for a few weeks doing the Whites in New Hampshire and the entire length of the trail in Maine.  Also had a good conversation with my friend, Sue.  Like me, she’s trying to hike all the trails in the Smokies.  It was fun catching up on what she’s done and how much we each are still lacking.

That’s been our day.  Hope yours was as much fun.

Thanks for tagging along.

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Today was a beautiful clear sky day with temperatures in the low 70s--a perfect day for a short hike.  We are very fortunate in Nashville to have a fairly extensive greenway system as well as several parks which have hiking trails.  Our destination for today was Radnor Lake.

Radnor Lake was built about 1914 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company to supply water for their steam engines.  After the demise of the steam engine, the lake was no longer needed by the railroad.  During the 1970s, area residents started a campaign to “save the lake”.  State and local governments got involved and this was the beginning of Tennessee’s first State Natural Area.

This 85 acre park is really just a walkers park.  Being a Natural Area, there is no fishing in the lake and the surrounding wetlands and forest are too fragile to allow playgrounds or picnic areas.  There are several trails which meander through the woods, over the ridges, and around the lake.  Each winter, there are collections places around town for discarded Christmas trees.  These trees are shredded and the huge pile of mulched bark and pine needles are shared by several parks, Radnor being one.  These hiking trails in spring are a soft cushion of evergreen bark with the aroma of a northwestern forest.  The hiker may also see the occasional bit of tinsel that was left on the holiday tree.  Because there is no jogging or bicycling allowed on the trails, Radnor Lake has become a tiny sanctuary for walkers and hikers who seek the peace and quiet of a woods walk.  It is also a popular place for bird watchers.  Shortly after the lake was made, the birds discovered its existence and started stopping by on their migratory journeys.

The street which was once a busy thoroughfare for those wanting to cut across from Franklin Road to Granny White Pike has been permanently closed to traffic.  This stretch of road is now used by joggers, mom’s pushing baby strollers, and those walkers who prefer asphalt to dirt trails.

On our 5 mile hike today we climbed both ridges in the park which gave our hearts a little workout.  We saw 11 deer and heard the resident owl.  We were actually surprised at the number of people in the park today.  We didn’t expect to have the place to ourselves, but we also didn’t expect the parking lot to be full.  Then again, it was a great day to be out for a walk.

Tomorrow, we are having lunch with one of our good hiking buddies and will take the opportunity to stop by REI while we are on that side of town.