Joyner in fall

One of the more picturesque features of E. Carroll Joyner Park in Wake Forest, NC, is its winding handcrafted stone wall.

Although the sun has has finally shown itself, it has been overcast (and cooler) in Wake Forest for days. Fall blew in gently earlier this month, ushering in nights in the sixties and days with low humidity, making it much better weather for walking. As luck would have it, though, when my husband and I took one of our youngest grandsons to a favorite park, the humidity and the heat had returned, shortening our visit to about an hour.

The park has no playground yet, but there's plenty of room for the little ones to explore. — The park has no playground yet, but there’s plenty of room for the little ones to explore.

While E. Carroll Joyner Park, situated on 117 acres in northern Wake County, is eye-catching year-round, fall is my favorite season to visit. The winding trails meander through the woods, around the pond, past the amphitheater, up toward the pecan grove, the old barn and homestead, and through sunny meadows.

A view of the old barn on a recent, sunny Saturday.

Green metal swings and benches beckon walkers and joggers to linger and enjoy the vast, open skyline, especially when it’s hot. When it’s cool, though, it’s equally inviting to explore the park’s roughly three miles of trails.

The park, opened to the public in 2009, is home to a number of activities throughout the year, including the popular Six Sundays in Spring concert series. Its 1000-lawn seat amphitheater and Walker Garden add to the location’s amenities.

Joyner Park is slated to have ball fields, a community center, and several playgrounds in the future. I have to say, though, I’m pretty fond of it the way it is – open, mostly undeveloped, and a relaxing place to walk.