Vincent DiFilippo Nature Preserve is a relaxing little nature preserve located along the Conodoguinet Creek in Mechanicsburg, PA. This 54-acre preserve offers a two-mile walking and biking trail, as well as access to the creek for fishing or kayaking.
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The broad, flat, crushed stone path roughly forms a figure eight. The entire loop is two miles or you can complete just the upper part of the figure eight for a one-mile loop. There are benches along the path if you need a rest or just want to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. We often see deer at the preserve and there are always many species of birds.
My favorite way to walk the loop is to start out following the creek. This section of the path is lined on one side with large trees. After following the creek for one mile the path turns left. There are signs at this point indicating that there is an eagles’ nest off to your right although I was chatting with a bird watcher who told me that she has not seen the eagles for the last several years. Shortly after this you will encounter a series of small ponds. This is Marie’s favorite spot at the preserve. The ponds are full of frogs and turtles. I usually find a shady spot to sit and let her catch frogs and turtles. We have seen a few large snapping turtles, which she keeps a good distance from, as well as some muskrats. You can fish in the ponds but they aren’t a popular fishing spot since they are small, shallow, and weedy. Only once have we ever seen anyone fishing in them.
About ½ mile after the eagle nesting sign you will come to an area of the trail that, if there has been a lot of rain recently, is apt to be flooded. Marie loves to splash right through, while I like to cut through the grassy area to avoid soaking my shoes.
The rest of the trail meanders through a meadow. In recent years they have done a lot of work in this area, removing invasive species and replanting with native species. They have also placed informational signs along the path.
My Takeaway
Vincent DiFilippo Nature Preserve is a great place to visit if you are in the Mechanicsburg, PA area. This popular nature preserve boasts an easy walking path, an abundance of animals and birds, and the soothing sounds of the creek. It is definitely one of our favorite places to take a walk.