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Where to Find Outdoor Summer Fun

June 17, 2021

Summer is here, the sun is shining and life in West Chester is starting to get back to normal—you know what that means? It’s time to get out and about! Summer in the city offers tremendous opportunities for outdoor adventure—from hiking and biking to brewery tours and street festivals. No matter what your interests, take some time this summer to appreciate all that the region has to offer when the weather turns warm.

One of the standouts near your Chestnut Square apartment is the Gordon Natural Area, an expansive protected nature space that is ideal for everything from exercise to bird watching. The preserve encompasses more than 125 acres and borders the edge of West Chester University, making it a vibrant space where nature research has flourished and students, staff and the community alike take advantage of all that the park has to offer.

GNA has been a protected nature preserve since the 1970s. Today, it contains meadows, grasslands, floodplains and forests. Trails wind through the preserve, offering a shady respite from a warm summer day or the perfect spot to work up a sweat as you burn some calories. Leashed pets are welcome so you can also get your four-legged friend some exercise alongside you. The park, less than 10 minutes from your Chestnut Square apartment, also hosts frequent public events, including tree plantings, nature tours, geology walks and even spotted lanternfly control outings. At any given event, visitors can learn about the many different varieties of trees, plants, flowers, birds and other wildlife that all call Gordon Natural Area home. While you may head to GNA to get some exercise with a taste of nature, you’ll likely leave having learned quite a few things!

Summer in West Chester offers plenty of ways to chill out, cool off and soak in the fun.

Gordon Natural Area

Stadium Road

West Chester, PA 19382

610-436-1000