Are your kids bored this summer? Looking for a fun summer staycation idea that is free and offers a wide variety of exciting hot-weather activities?
The answer to your dilemma lies about five miles south of Boiling Springs: The Broad River Greenway (BRG) offers a myriad of outdoor activities, and everything is free for Cleveland County residents.
With more than 15 miles of trails, the park is an excellent place to hike, bike (non-motorized bikes only), or go horseback riding. The Greenway also offers plenty of water activities, from swimming to kayaking to tubing. Two beaches allow for water access (no equipment is provided and there are no lifeguards). Those wishing to fish must possess a N.C. Fishing Permit, but no other special permit is needed. A fishing pier is available, located about a quarter of a mile downstream from the main parking area.
The BRG playground is also less than a quarter of a mile from the main parking area. The wooden play structure is equipped with slides, bridges and monkey bars.
Those interested in staying overnight at the Greenway can make reservations for the park's primitive pack-in campground by filling out an application available on the BRG web site at broadrivergreenway.com. The camping area has six tent pads, a fire pit, a picnic table and access to an outhouse.
Picnicking and cookouts are other popular activities at the Greenway. In addition to two picnic shelters, the Greenway also has nine permanently mounted grills and 24 picnic tables along the trails.
For more information on these and other activities available at the Greenway, visit the BRG web site at broadrivergreenway.com or call 704-561-1274.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to the Shelby Shopper