Summary
The park spans over 90 acres and offers a range of activities and amenities for visitors. There are several good reasons to visit the park, such as hiking, fishing, and enjoying the great outdoors. The park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields, making it an excellent destination for families.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the lake, which is stocked with a variety of fish, including catfish, bluegill, and bass. Fishing is allowed in the lake, and visitors can rent boats and fishing equipment. There are also several hiking trails in the park, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, making it suitable for hikers of all levels. In addition, the park has a frisbee golf course, basketball courts, and a volleyball court.
Interesting facts about Fort Branch Community Park include that it was built on the site of a former coal mine, and many of the trails and features in the park were created from the reclaimed land. The park is also home to several species of wildlife, such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels.
The best time of year to visit Fort Branch Community Park is during the spring and fall months, as the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the park's winter activities, such as ice fishing and ice skating. Overall, Fort Branch Community Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for a fun day out.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References