My kids love the idea of going on a picnic, so we pack up what seems like half of our refrigerator and head out to one of our favorite Clinton picnic spots.
We’re lucky in Clinton, to have so many great picnic spots to choose from! Here’s my family’s list of the top three picnic spots in (and around) Clinton.
Location: Central Park, 252 Church Street, Clinton, MA 01510
Features: Paved walkways, great for strollers. Plenty of shade.
What my kids love: The huge water fountain and the new statue of the three children dancing.
What I love: Lush grass and shady spots to sit and enjoy a picnic on a blanket. A variety of events are held here - including summer concerts.
Location: Dexter Drumlin (George Hill), George Hill Rd, Lancaster, MA 01523
Features: It's a HUGE grassy hill. On-street parking, dog friendly. Some large trees along the street provide shade for a picnic. Perfect spot for flying a kite (or watching others do it!). In the winter, it's a great sledding hill.
What my kids love: Thinking they're climbing a mountain. (Which can also be a challenge when going up to the top - they always seem to get tired.)
What I love: Such a simple, beautiful spot. The walk makes a loop, so it's easy to walk the kids in and out. Great for photos (bring a long lens so you can capture the kids running down the hill). Depending on the season, you'll find plenty of milkweed plants and can search for butterflies, crickets, and birds.
Location: Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton, MA 01510 (Rt 110 heading into Sterling. Parking is just past the soccer fields/Clinton High School on the right - you must cross to reach the walking area.)
Features: Wide open space with a gorgeous water view. No shade. No dogs. Check the signage at the entrance for more information.
What my kids love: My kids always manage to find something interesting - grasshoppers, butterflies, birds, ducks, geese, or airplanes. It's very peaceful, but there's a lot happening if you slow down and look closely.
What I love: The water view is amazing and different from the standard view at the Wachusett Dam (on Rt 70). You can enjoy a walk in either direction once on the North Dike, and then find a spot to rest. Rt 110 has many spots to park and access the Reservoir. We've explored a handful of them, but have so many left to visit!
That’s my family’s list, but I bet your family has their own favorite Clinton picnic spots! I’d love to know where they are. Drop me a line on Facebook or email me at emilycabrera@macaronikid.com.
Have a great time on your picnic adventure, and remember...don’t forget the napkins!
