Historic area, former plantation, & currently a hay production working farm, Blackwood Farm Park is absolutely stunning. The grounds are extremely well maintained & staff members are kind & welcoming. We were in awe of the beauty of this place.

The park is located in Chapel Hill, NC. After seeing pictures on social media, I knew we had to visit.

My daughters (2 Peanut Butter Girls) relished in playing on the open fields & reading about the history of the outbuildings occupying the property. There’s a Farm House, Smoke House, Corncrib, Biddy House, & a large barn. Although the buildings were not open for public entry, it was interesting to read about them. We learned the roles each one played on the property & new-to-us farm jargon.

They also made for cool photo opps!

Picnic tables & shelters are scattered around for your resting and eating pleasure. Although we only saw a few people the entire time, the spacing is perfect for social distancing. We sat to have a snack & take in the views. Trash cans are also nearby to ensure the cleanliness of the beautiful grounds. Remember, leave no trace.

Hiking

Three hiking trails are open for public use:

-Mary’s Trail = 2.3 miles

-Alice’s Loop = 1 mile

-Herbert’s Loop = .1 mile

It was just the three of us so we didn’t hike in the woods this time around. We’re planning to return soon & will let you know what we think. Based on our research, trails are nice but can be pretty “swampy” after intense rainfall. Interstate 40 is also close by & some have mentioned” traffic noise” in their reviews. However, sounds of traffic near an interstate should be expected in my opinion.

The Pond

Another focal point of the park is the pond which does have a fishing area. As with most ponds & lakes in North Carolina, you will need a fishing license to indulge. Otherwise, it’s lengthy enough for a good walk around it while indulging in scenic views. We learned the Great Blue Heron is a frequent visitor & is often spotted on the premises.

You can get a great view of the pond in our vlog. While there, be sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel, Hang’n With The Heards, to keep up with our adventures. And hit the notification bell to never miss an upload. It’s free of course!

Historic CemetEry

The most emotional & intriguing part of our visit was seeing the historic cemetery of former ''slaves.'' As I mentioned in the beginning, this park was once a plantation. There’s a lot of history surrounding this place & it’s worth your time to do some digging before visiting.

I was honestly taken aback by the location of the cemetery. It’s literally in the woods on a small plot of land & could easily be missed without proper labeling or prior knowledge. Various sized rocks are used as head/foot stones with no engraved markings. Only the historical reference to names of those formerly enslaved there offers a glimpse into who is buried. There are even a few child-sized graves which, of course, really stood out to my daughters.

On the edge of the burial grounds is the largest rock/headstone marking a grave. I’m curious to find out who is buried there. My guess is that a patriarch or matriarch of the family lies there. I’ll do my best to find out next time.

We converse about the history of our people, Black people, often but standing at the gravesite was beyond humbling. We discussed the unfortunate truth of how those buried there never knew physical freedom. They were the property of other human beings from their births to their deaths. A true atrocity. We were angry & sad, but honored to stand there in their presence because energy never dies.

As we roamed the grounds, free to come & go as we pleased, we thought of them. And as I type this, I can’t help but allow the tears to roll down my face. Humbled. Truly humbled.

The Farm House

Knowing about the plantation history of the park, “big house” is the only phrase that came to mind when seeing the farm house. It is more than likely the home in which former slave owners & their descendents resided. The aging & location of the house definitely gives it a unique look & back country feel.

Two rocking chairs have a home on the front porch. My oldest daughter refused to sit in them because of something she saw in the movie Harriet., based on the life of the she-ro, Harriet Tubman. She talks about it in our vlog. You can watch it here.

Although emotional, we had the coolest little adventure at Blackwood Farm Park. It’s okay to visit places & learn of things that evoke emotion & make you uncomfortable. It’s a great way to reflect & grow!

We are looking forward to returning as a whole family next time & even have future intentions to visit with extended family. It’s a gorgeous place & was definitely worth the drive. Have you visited? If so, how was your experience?

Know Before You Go

-The website lists restrooms as CLOSED. We saw portapotties but are unsure if these are the actual restrooms under normal circumstances. We didn’t inquire either.

-Dogs are allowed on hiking trails but MUST BE on a leash at all times.

-Wear sunscreen, hats, & sunglasses. While the trails may be in wooded areas that offer shade, the fields are open & sunny.

-Bring water to hydrate & a snack. I don’t recall seeing a water fountain. Picnic shelters were shaded & comfy to take breaks.

-Bug spray, area/trail maps are available at the entrance.

-Admission is FREE

Blackwood Farm Park

4215 NC-86

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

CLOSED Monday-Wednesday

Thursday 8AM–8PM

Friday 8AM–8PM

Saturday 8AM–8PM

Sunday 8AM–8PM

The Vlog (don’t forget to subscribe):