Mahoning Creek behind Hess Fields is such a find!  The creek is shallow and goes on and on.  Canopy trees keep it cool, but there are pockets of bright sunlight as well to warm you up.  There is enough shallow area that we didn’t worry about our toddlers in the water, and they spent most of the time playing with the rocks.  Our older kids explored up and down the creek, and again because it isn’t deep, we felt safe with them wondering off.  At one point a group of teenagers fishing came walking through the creek and a dog (with his owner) came down to cool off.  There is a trail next to the creek that looked nice for a walk as well.

Getting to the creek is a bit tricky, so make sure you check out the pictures in the gallery.  When you get to the sign “Hess Recreation Area”, you drive on the paved road down to the baseball fields.  The path down to the creek is to the left of a yellow pole by the forest.

Another option, if you want to take your kids on a little hike/push a stroller, take the unpaved upper road when you get to the “Hess Recreation Area” sign.  It is about a 2.5 mile loop that goes over a covered bridge and through the woods.  It is beautiful in the fall!

The Hess Recreation Area is managed by the MARC (Montour Area recreation Commission) and lots of information is available on their website.  There are restrooms available, a skatepark, a covered bridge where you can fish, and picnic tables & grill near fields that you can rent.  Lots to explore!