Bethany Beach Nature Center
807 Garfield Parkway
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
(302) 537-7680
https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/397/Nature-Center
https://visitsoutherndelaware.com/listing/bethany-beach-nature-center
Open: Sunday-Monday Closed/Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-3:00pm/Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm
Admission: Free
My review on TripAdvisor:
The front of the Bethany Beach Nature Center
The Nature Center sign
The wonderful little natural preserve is the perfect getaway on a sunny day. With something for the whole family, there are nature paths, gardens, aquatic tanks to view and even a butterfly area, the preserve is a nice way to spend the afternoon.
The front of the historic Addy Cottage
The historic Addy Cottage building
The Addy Cottage historic marker
The history of the Addy houses
The cottage where the Nature Center is located is an example of early beach homes in the community. Once a series of homes by the same family , this is the last surviving home in the series.
The History of the Bethany Nature Center:
(from the center’s website)
The Addy Cottage houses the Bethany Beach Nature Center. It was built circa 1903 by John Addy, one of the Pittsburgh Six that founded Bethany Beach. Located on the 26 acre Delaware land conservation trust, the property was originally owned by the heirs of the Natter Family.
In 2001 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, and the Town of Bethany Beach successfully funded the acquisition of this natural land to be preserved for all future generations in Bethany Beach.
The inside of the Nature Center
The inside of the nature center is perfect for children and families with interactive games and playthings plus fish and turtle tanks.
The fish display
The Box turtle display
The Box turtle display
Finding this Baby Terrapin turtle hiding in the display
The Box Turtle display
The Box Turtle display
The Red Eared Slider Turtle display
The Aquatic display of marine life in the community
The highlight of the visit on a beautiful sunny afternoon is the half a mile long Baldwin Trail into the marshes.
The entrance to the Baldwin Tral
The dedication sign
The pathways as part of the trails
The Garden of Native Plants was in full bloom at the end of the summer and I started my walk of the Nature Center here.
The Garden of Native Plants
The entrance to the Gardens
The gardens were still in full bloom when I visited and offered a sanctuary for insects and birds who were flying all over the place. There were areas to sit under the shade and paths to walk down to admire the gardens.
The center of the garden
The gardens in bloom toward the end of the summer
A view of the gardens from the back
I then continued down the path and toured the area by the wetlands. The back trails took you to the marshes.
The sign for the wetlands
The pathway into the Wetlands
The wetlands were very picturesque with the marshes glistening in the light. The trees still reflected a summer not quite over.
The entrance to the wetlands
The pathway to the pools
The beauty of the pools
After I left the pools, I headed to the back of the Wetlands area, to the woods and marshes.
The pathways to the back of the marshes
The marshes
The Hard Surface runoff
The back paths were dense with trees and brush but you could still hear the running of water and the birds calling.
The paths to the back part of the natural preserve
The natural preserve
It was such a beautiful day
The fresh water marshes
The fresh water marshes
The fresh water marshes
The very back of the fresh water marshes
Heading back to the Visitors Center
When I headed back to the Natural Preserve, I visited the other part of the gardens again.
People were reading books and relaxing
Visiting the Butterfly Gardens
The flowers were in full bloom
The gardens in the back of the Nature Center
Off to the side of the property, the catch basin was planted as a Butterfly Garden. The area was full of flowers and plants to attract butterflies and other insects.
The Rain Garden
The Rain Garden in bloom
Then it just so happened that a butterfly flew in the gardens. He just sat there not doing anything and I actually yelled at him to open up so I could take a picture of him.
The butterfly flew into the gardens
He listened and opened up and after I showed him the picture he flew away. Everyone is a critique.
The Nature Preserve is the perfect place to just walk around and just relax. When the weather is beautiful, there is nothing like it. Take time to walk the paths and enjoy the surrounding environment. You will surprised what small creature might pop up.
Video on touring the Nature Center:
Visiting the Nature Center:
mywalkinmanhattan 