Catawba River Greenway

In 2011, Mount Holly, NC, was named a Playful City USA, a nod to active recreation amenities and accommodations for everyone in the community. Just 20 minutes west of uptown and nestled along the banks of the Catawba River, directly across from the US National Whitewater Center, this small, historical town remains a draw for outdoor enthusiasts and folks looking to explore.

In Mount Holly, you'll find a number of parks and trails as well as a charming downtown with food and retail. Recently, we visited the Catawba River Greenway, which offers a nice combination of all of the above.

The paved Catawba River Greenway is 1.2 miles and runs from Tuckaseege Park at the south end to the Mount Holly Municipal Complex at the north.

Tuckaseege Park offers a bunch of fun amenities, including a skate park, dog park, playground, playing fields, picnic shelters and riverfront access. There's also a paved 0.7-mile walking trail around the park that connects to the greenway. The park also has restroom facilities.

The greenway meanders peacefully along the river and then into town, where, 0.3 miles from the trail trailhead, you can find downtown dining and shopping.

For the most part, the greenway borders natural areas, though it does make its way behind and between some industrial buildings at points. Also, getting to town requires you to cross a couple of pretty busy streets, but there are ways to do it safely.

We found the greenway to be quiet, pleasant and not too crowded. It's great for walking, biking, strollers and other wheeled toys. Given its proximity to town, it's also pretty convenient. We'll be adding the Catawba River Greenway -- and other "playful" Mount Holly amenities -- to our excursion rotation. It's a fun place to explore.

How to get there:
You can find parking for the Catawba River Greenway at Tuckaseege Park, located at 165 Broome St., Mount Holly, NC, 28120, or the Mount Holly Municipal Complex, located at 400 E. Central Ave., Mount Holly, NC 28120.

Don't forget to pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bikes, skates, scooters and helmets
• Water and snacks
• Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Fishing gear (you can throw a line in along the river)

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