Enjoy A Long Walk At This Underrated Local Park In Alabama
By Lisa Battles|Published December 26, 2023
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
Long walks are always wonderful, whether you want to calm a busy mind or are seeking inspiration. I usually find what I am looking for on this three-mile, underrated trail in Decatur, Alabama at the 700-acre Point Mallard Park. Those who know it love it for scenic runs, easy rides, and peaceful strolls enjoying nature. Here are just a few reasons why.
You're almost guaranteed a beautiful walk in every season — unless there's an unusually wet season, in which case some parts will flood a bit. The trail winds along Flint Creek, so that's just something that comes with the territory. Trail regulars are bummed and yet patient to wait until it dries.
Fall is a magical time to walk here. Imagine you're entering an art gallery or fashion show where you're seeing the latest combinations of the hottest new fall colors. The artists and designers are sweet gum, sycamore, water oak, river birch, black tupelo, bald cypress, and all of their fabulous friends. They line the path with a woodsy hug that's curated for quality and color. It's a much different and yet equally wonderful vibe than being under a vast forest canopy, overlooking a canyon, or peering across mountaintops.
And yet even when most of the flashy leaves have fallen, winter delights with a bounty of birds. Just when gray, chilly weather threatens dreariness, Decatur welcomes tens of thousands of migratory waterfowl, including sandhill and rare whooping cranes, geese, ducks, pelicans, and more.
The trails are just north of Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1939 specifically for wintering birds. The refuge has documented over 300 species of birds over the years. Of course, we have our resident feathered friends. It seems no matter what time of year I visit this trail, I see at least three shorebirds hanging around during even the shortest walk.
The Point Mallard Trail is also great for dog walking. If your dog is up for the duration, you can do the full six miles. Meanwhile, the trail is well-marked from both trailheads if you choose to cut it short and turn back. Leashes are the law here, and always listen up for bikers so you don't block the path. And of course, pick up after your pup.
Lisa Battles
Not long after the excitement of our big bird show simmers down, we start to see the vivid greens of growth in late March and early April. A favorite part of the seasons changing here is watching the plants along this trail do their thing every spring.
Lisa Battles
And speaking of spring and summer, do heed the signs to watch out for alligators. While we don't have them by the hundreds like in South Alabama, the signs are for real. While I've not seen any along the trail, many have spotted them along Flint Creek in the water and occasionally sunning on the banks.
Throughout spring and early summer, this trail is incredible for wildflowers. It has been for decades and only seems to get better every year. I cannot overstate my delight in seeing a big patch of passion flowers here on a morning walk after failing to grow my own from seed the two seasons prior. While the wildflower colors subside as summer wanes and humidity takes over, you start to look forward to fall yet again. Even as it does, there will still be sections of this trail where you'll walk through dozens of lingering butterflies flitting about.
Lisa Battles
For a trail map and more photos, check out the Point Mallard Trail on AllTrails. Note that there are two entry points for the path, with the northern trailhead on Point Mallard Drive noted as the starting point. There’s a gravel parking area there, and it takes a quarter-mile walk along a paved road adjacent to the golf course to reach that trailhead. The trailhead near the water park is another option. That entry has one of the city’s bike share stands if you’d prefer to rent a bike.
Have you taken a walk along this underrated trail in Decatur, Alabama at Point Mallard Park? We’d love to hear what you think of it!
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