Newcastle: Parks, Trails and Mining History

Newcastle offers travelers two especially tangible perspectives: parkland with hiking trails and a history that took it from farming village to mining town. There is also an annual festival held in September and an 18-hole putting course. You can plan a stay around your interests in nature, local history or a specific event date.

Parks and Trails in Newcastle

Newcastle has 164 hectares of parkland and 12 miles of major hiking trails. The hectare figure describes the parkland, while the mileage refers to the trails—two different measures to help you find your way around the green spaces. Features of Hazelwood Park include a wetland boardwalk, trails and a viewpoint. The park thus offers both a boardwalk over the wetland and trails and a viewpoint.

Lake Boren Park has a different combination of features: its amenities include restrooms, loop trails, playgrounds, shelters, sports fields, docks, a stage and a ball field. If you’re comparing parks, you’ll find a wide range of amenities here, while Hazelwood has its own clearly identified features, including a wetland boardwalk and a viewpoint.

Planning for Opening Hours

The parks are open for public use from 7:00 a.m. until dusk. Newcastle’s trails are also available from dusk until 7:00 a.m. These separate time periods are especially helpful if your plans involve the early morning or the hours after dusk. Check the latest information before your visit, as opening hours may change.

Mining History and Baima House

In 1869, Newcastle grew from a small farming village into a busy mining town. Coal mining continued until 1963, and the mines produced more than 11 million tons of coal. The dates mark two milestones: the transition to a mining town and the end of coal mining.

Baima House also offers specific historical points of reference. It was built in the 1870s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This allows you to distinguish the building’s construction date from its later listing in the register. Together with the dates relating to mining, the house adds a named building to Newcastle’s history.

Newcastle Days and Other Things to Do

Newcastle Days takes place every September at Lake Boren Park. The festival is free and features activities, food, games and music. Dates and programs may vary from year to year. If you’re planning your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates and program in advance.

Rusty Putter is an 18-hole putting course. The 18-hole description clearly identifies it as a putting course, distinguishing it from the park trails and the amenities found there. When choosing a focus for your leisure time, you can weigh up the park features, September festival and putting course.

Location

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park lies along Newcastle’s eastern boundary. This provides a specific reference point when locating Newcastle on a map.

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