A Quarry Adventure Not Far From Home

As the summer vacation rolls into the last few weeks, it might be time to plan an outing with the kids and other families for a last hurrah before school starts.

For moms that work full-time, taking a day off during the week to take a day trip is a special treat and provides a chance to create some fun summer memories with the kids.

Patch takes adventures whenever possible and with summer in full swing, nothing is better than packing a lunch and heading out to see and experience new activities, within an hour from home.

One week this summer, we visited the Milford Mill Park and Swim Club in Randallstown, which also includes a freshwater quarry. On this Wednesday, the club wasn't busy and the lines to get on the quarry zip line and rope swings were minimal.

The club, located in a wooded country-like setting, but minutes off of the Baltimore beltway, is like stepping back in time. Unlike today's theme parks, this swim club is privately owned and dates back to the 1950s.

It changed ownership 10 years ago. The owners, the Walker family, live on the premises.

There is a snack bar offering hot dogs and other refreshments and picnic tables on the grounds. We packed a lunch and brought chairs to watch the kids drop from the zip lines into the quarry and ride the rope swings over the water.

The backyard-type setting was a refreshing contrast to the water theme parks popular today as not much has changed over the decades at this swim club.

The kids in our group of ages 10- to 13-year-old boys enjoyed swinging from the rope swings and riding the zip lines to eventually plunge into the quarry.

Lifeguards are on duty at the quarry throughout the day.

The less adventurous adults sat on the partially shaded bank, near a wading pool, where we could go to cool-off under the umbrella-shaped fountain to watch the quarry fun.

The facility also has two pools, one close to the quarry for wading with the umbrella shower fountain. The other is open for swimming and also for those taking a swim test in order to use the water rides in the quarry.

The health department checks the water on a regular basis.

Wear your bathing suits or change on site, there are bathrooms and a changing area.

Admission is $11 each for ages 12 and up. Call 410-655-4818 for more information.

Directions: Interstate 695 west toward Towson to exit 18B, Liberty Road West. At the first traffic light, Washington Boulevard, make a right. At the first light, go straight through to the swim club entrance.