Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware Offers a Peaceful Escape from City Life

Wilmington, Delaware offers a beautiful gem nestled within the hustle and bustle of the confines of the large East coast city - Brandywine Park. Brandywine Park is an escape - a serene and peaceful place to go for a walk, enjoy a picnic, and just get away from the stresses of everyday life. Brandywine Park, located just northwest of Downtown Wilmington, offers a place to retreat after work, during lunch break, on the weekend, or whenever you feel like reconnecting with yourself and nature.

Brandywine Park

Brandywine Park is situated along the Brandywine Creek and is built into the rolling hills near the bank of the creek. Brandywine Park stretches along the creek from near North Market Street up to the vicinity of Augustine Road. While Interstate 95 cuts through part of the park, the graceful architecture of the overpass which dominates part of the park near the Van Buren Street entrance seems to fit right into the serene natural beauty of the surroundings.

If there's something familiar about Brandywine Park but you just aren't sure what exactly it is, consider this: Brandywine Park was designed and developed by none other than Frederick Law Olmstead - the very landscape architect who designed New York's Central Park. You can see the similarities between Central Park and Brandywine Park in the rock-constructed walls, the bridges, the asphalt footpaths, the rolling hills, the fact that the parks feature nature-inspired landscaping, and the urban settings of both parks.

Brandywine Zoo

You'll find Brandywine Park a great place to take children or show off visitors who are stopping by to say hello. Brandywine Park offers Brandywine Zoo, a 13-acre zoo with over 150 animals representing more than 50 species.

Brandywine Zoo is an accredited zoo and has been an institution in Wilmington since 1905. Brandywine Zoo is located in the central area of Brandywine Park and is easily reached from the Van Buren Street entrance at North Park Drive.

Baynard Stadium

Brandywine Zoo is just one of the many amenities and attractions you'll find at Brandywine Park. Baynard Stadium is another favorite gathering place. Baynard Stadium hosts a number of football, soccer, track, and field events and can seat 5,000 spectators. Baynard Stadium is located at the corner of West 18th Street and Stadium Drive, in the northwestern section of Brandywine Park.

So Many Free Things to Do at Brandywine Park

Brandywine Park also offers picnic areas, places to grill any of the great picnic favorites you wish to enjoy, pavilions, a playground, and an off-leash area for pets. Don't forget, the sidewalks and paths offer plenty of great places to walk, jog, run, skate, and bike.

Brandywine Park opens at 8 am each day and closes at sunset. While the park extends over the course of several city blocks throughout the Brandywine Creek area of Wilmington, North Park Drive is the main road throughout the park; you'll also find most parking areas are conveniently located along certain parts of North Park Drive.

If you're coming in off Interstate 95 from south of Brandywine Park, you'll find exit 7 convenient. Those traveling on Interstate 95 from the north will want to use Exit 8A (northern of the park) or 7B (near the Van Buren Street entrance).

To find out more about Brandywine Park, you can call the park information line at (302) 577-7020.

Resources

Personal and first-hand knowledge and experience
Delaware State Parks: Brandywine Park
Philly Fun Guide: Baynard Stadium