Discover Duluth Redux: Hartley Park, Vol. I

Originally published Oct. 12, 2007, on DuluthBudgeteer.com.

Aside from those pesky airplanes buzzing above, Hartley Park is a transcendental nature sanctuary.

While the park, which is just a stone’s throw away from the Woodland and Hunter’s Park neighborhoods, may not have as many obvious thrills as others — like towering waterfalls or grandiose bridges — it definitely holds its own.

Narrow trails weave in and out of the nature preserve’s dense forest areas, and there’s even a larger-than-expected pond sharing the Hartley namesake (which, were we in Colorado, would undoubtedly pass as a lake).

But, then again, Hartley isn’t like every other park in Duluth: it’s bigger.

Speaking from personal experience, know that it is quite easy to get lost within Hartley’s boundaries. (The nature center does provide maps, but their print quality is not the best.)

So, until you’re fully familiar with this expansive green space, make sure to cancel all of your meetings and appointments for the remainder of the days you visit.

“Discover Duluth” is an ongoing photo essay series by Matthew R. Perrine that highlights points of interest in and around the region.