Facilities

The Harry J. Waite Jr. Nature Area is a small, primitive access area on the East Branch Brandywine Creek. Limited parking is available from a small pull-off at 190 North Creek Road. The park can be used for fishing or launching rafts and paddle craft. The paddle distance from this park downstream to Shaw’s Bridge Park is approximately 2.2 miles. The park has been dedicated in name to long-time resident, decoy artist, and nature enthusiast, Harry Waite.

Directions

From West Chester: Take Route 322 west towards Downingtown. Take a slight left onto West Strasburg Road / PA Route 162. Continue about 1.9 miles on Route 162. Turn left onto North Creek Road (if you reach Telegraph Road you’ve gone about 0.3 miles too far). Continue about 1.1 miles on North Creek Road. The small pull-off parking area for the Nature Area will be on your right (the Nature Area is 0.2 miles past Hillsdale Road; if you reach Centennial Drive you’ve gone about 0.1 miles too far).

From Downingtown: Take Route 322 east towards West Chester. Turn right onto North Creek Road (North Creek Road is across from Frank Road, about 0.6 miles past Skelp Level Road). Continue about 0.8 miles to the PA Route 162 intersection. Turn left onto Route 162 and go 0.2 miles before making your first right back onto North Creek Road. Continue about 1.1 miles on North Creek Road. The small pull-off parking area for the Nature Area will be on your right (the Nature Area is 0.2 miles past Hillsdale Road; if you reach Cenntennial Drive you’ve gone about 0.1 miles too far).