Landmark Park near Dothan, AL (Blog Hike #833)

Trail: Nature Trail
Hike Location: Landmark Park
Geographic Location: north of Dothan, AL (31.28898, -85.36929)
Length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: December 2020
Overview: A loop hike partly on boardwalk featuring a reconstructed pioneer farm.
Park Information: https://www.landmarkparkdothan.com/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=850532
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: Where US 431 leaves north from the Dothan ring road, take US 431 north 2.8 miles to the signed entrance for Landmark Park on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, pay the entrance fee, and park in the grass/dirt parking lot near the gazebo.  The hike starts from the park's Interpretive Center and Planetarium.

The hike: Originating in 1976 as the Dothan Landmarks Foundation, Landmark Park began as an effort to preserve historic sites in and around Dothan.  In 1978, two land donations totaling 53 acres formed the center of what is today known as Landmark Park.  Over the next two decades historic buildings from around the region were moved to the site, and other constructions including a wetlands boardwalk and the Alabama Agricultural Museum were added to the park's attractions.

            Today the 135-acre park features all of these points of interest as well as a planetarium, and its collection of historic buildings rivals any such collection in the region.  In addition to the developed areas, the park also has a natural wetland area that is explored by trails that alternate between dirt and boardwalk.  Landmark Park is a stop on the Wiregrass Birding Trail partly due to these trails.  The route described here forms the longest possible loop through the trail system without repeating any trail segments.

Start of Nature Trail at Interpretive Center

            After walking out the front door of the Interpretive Center and Planetarium, turn right twice to begin walking east on the wide dirt nature trail with the Interpretive Center on your right and the wetland boardwalk on your left.  Numerous interpretive signs describe the flora and fauna of the forest, which consists of the usual mix of pine, oak, sweetgum, and magnolia.  In terms of wildlife, I saw only a few squirrels and deer here on my late afternoon visit in mid-December.

Hiking beside the wetland

            At 0.3 miles, you reach a tree ring exhibit and a trail intersection.  We will eventually angle left to continue the main loop, but first turn right and walk out to the re-created pioneer farm.  The Waddell Farm House, barn, and windmill take center stage, but the assembly of buildings also includes a corn crib, smokehouse, log cabin, chicken coop (with live chickens), and blacksmith shop.  Take a few minutes to walk around the re-created farm and see what you can learn about pioneer life in southeast Alabama.

Waddell Farm House and windmill

The barn

            Back on the main loop, the trail passes an overgrown overlook before reaching the start of this hike's first boardwalk.  Despite the boardwalk being in rough shape on my visit, work was underway to repair it, and it got me across the wetland safely.  This boardwalk crosses some open water, but noise from nearby US 431 makes this area less than ideal for bird watching.

Wetland near first boardwalk

            At the north end of the boardwalk, the trail surface goes back to dirt as the trail climbs slightly to enter drier forest.  Near 0.9 miles, the trail intersects this hike's second boardwalk, which goes right and left.  This boardwalk is also the one you saw at the Interpretive Center, and it had recently been rebuilt on my visit.  To maximize your time on the boardwalk, angle right to begin walking counterclockwise around this boardwalk.

Interpretive station on second boardwalk

            Although the water is not as open here as on the first boardwalk, several sheltered interpretive stations offer benches where you can sit, rest, and observe the wetland.  Near 1.1 miles into the hike, the boardwalk deposits you at the Interpretive Center.  A short walk back to the parking lot completes the hike.  While you are here, check out the other historic buildings that have been moved to this park; they are located near the parking lot and include a gazebo, church, general store, school, and drugstore with working old-time soda fountain that is open Wednesday through Sunday.