Brookhaven Nature Park is hidden just off Gleenwood Ave a bit west of Crabtree Valley Mall. Brookhaven is a surprisingly peaceful park that’s fairly close to some busy Raleigh thoroughfares.

Maintained by the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh, Brookhaven contains a network of paved and natural hiking trails, crisscrossing a small tributary of Crabtree Creek. Abundant shade makes this park an excellent destination on a hot summer day. Picnic tables at the park entrance offer a shady spot for a meal, but also serve as a nature center for programs provided by the city. A small pond at the east side of the park is a fun destination for the little ones.

Although signs suggest that parts of the trail are wheelchair-accessible, the grade is a bit steep.