I had noticed a park near Shepherdstown, WV while driving Kearneysville Pike (480). Morgan’s Grove Park sits just before the light and junction of Potomac Farms Drive (Alt 45) with 480.
There is a road into the park, which crosses part of the park. You can also turn at the light and there is a lower parking lot as well. The park has plenty of parking, with easy turning in and out of.
There is a lot of history in this small park of 20 acres.
“The park itself shares history that can be traced back to Morgan’s Spring. The park goes back to July 16, 1775 when Captain Hugh Stephenson and his company began the famous “Bee Line March to Cambridge.” This march lasted for roughly 24 days to meet up with George Washington’s Continental Army that was roughly 600 miles away in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Morgan’s Grove Park was the starting point of the historic journey, is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1989 was officially designated by the Secretary of the Army as the birthplace of the United States Army.”
History is everywhere – and my youngest loves learning it. He was reading every plaque there.
We parked and walked up to the trail, which is a loop around the perimeter of the park. It is about .87 a mile to walk it.
Most of the trees have not opened yet, spring is still a bit away.
Eastern Redbud. I had seen it on my last walk, but didn’t know what it was. It’s in the legume family. Interesting.
Sugar Maple along the trail.
Sugar Maple bark – yes, West Virginia produces maple syrup! It is very delicious.
The trail comes to 2 bridges.
And comes out to an open area, with a bench to sit on.
The trail curves down to the train tracks, the same one that goes behind my house.
The trail comes to the lower parking lot, crosses it and heads back uphill, crossing a spring fed creek (Morgan’s Spring).
This ginormous tree is an Osage Orange Tree, and is considered to be the second largest of it in all of West Virginia. It’s a male tree, so doesn’t produce fruit, which can cause skin irritation. It is a native tree.
With a short distance left, we headed back up to the car, finishing the loop.
It’s a quiet oasis, tucked off the road. It’s dog and kid friendly, with a huge playground. There is a large DH Horton housing development going in across the street, but it’s easy to tune it out.
The park is free to use and park at.
~Sarah