Middle Run Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Middle Run Park is a natural park located in Newark, Delaware.


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Summary

Some of the good reasons to visit the area include the beautiful scenery, the abundance of wildlife, and the numerous recreation opportunities available. The park is home to several miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as a variety of picnic areas and playgrounds.

One of the most popular points of interest in Middle Run Park is the Middle Run Natural Area, which encompasses more than 800 acres of forested land and is home to a wide range of plant and animal life. Visitors can enjoy hiking through the natural area and observing the wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species.

Other notable features of the park include the Middle Run Valley Natural Area, which is a designated National Natural Landmark, and the Middle Run Stream, which is a favorite spot for fishing and kayaking. The park also features several historic buildings and structures, including the Middle Run Covered Bridge, which was built in 1850 and is one of the last remaining covered bridges in the state of Delaware.

The best time of year to visit Middle Run Park is during the spring and fall seasons, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities during all seasons.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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