Trails galore at Sunderbruch Park

Let’s Move QC’s intrepid Outdoor Bloggers, Kaia and her human, Teri Stickler, headed to the west end of Davenport to check out the trails and spring flowers in Sunderbruch Park. With its more than 130 acres of parkland, Sunderbruch Park is a gem in the Iowa Quad Cities.

By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia

Kaia and I were seeking a new park to explore, and we found a gem. Sunderbruch Park is in west Davenport at 4675 Telegraph Road.

Named after the “West End” boy himself, Dr. John (Jack) Sunderbruch, physician, community leader and lifetime West End resident, this 134-acre park truly has something for everyone. We found plenty of great places to explore.

The pavilion at Sunderbruch Park can be reserved off the Davenport Parks website

At the Telegraph Road park entrance, we found a nice pavilion, picnic tables, a giant fireplace, playground equipment, and restrooms. The pavilion can be reserved through the Davenport Park’s website.

Kaia and I started our day walking across Blackhawk Creek bridge, and we followed the 2.4-mile round-trip paved multi-use path. Once across the bridge, the park opens to a multitude of trails to satisfy every want and desire. The paved trail took us past fields and pasture, prairie and wooded forest. Such a perfect place to slow down and take in the sights!

There are benches along the trail and informational signage is plentiful and quite educational. We saw many Eastern bluebird houses mounted on posts but didn’t witness any bluebirds that day. Maybe next time. There is also information posted about butterflies, tallgrass prairie, invasive plants, upland forest, animals, and birds. This is most definitely a great resource to fit in a little teaching along the way, or just to brush up on one’s own knowledge. Be sure to bring the kids.

The tallgrass prairie area will be quite impressive as it grows through the summer months.

After almost completing the round-trip paved pathway walk, Kaia and I could not resist entering the dirt paths which lead through the woodland. The paths are very natural, but well maintained, sometimes actually closed to all usage if conditions are wet and paths would likely be damaged due to over-usage. Some of the trails are designated one-way only and are well identified so you’ll know when you are out hiking or walking your dog.

Sunderbruch Park is unique in the fact that it has three different trail systems with opportunities for walking, hiking, off road biking (7 miles with difficulty ranging from green to black diamond,) and 4.5 miles equestrian. Each trail is well identified, though there are so many trails, one could spend much time trying to experience them all. A paper map would have been helpful, (there are trail maps available online, but we did not find any paper maps available to the public). Kaia just wandered and enjoyed every minute of it.

The history of Sunderbruch Park

A little history about the park, Davenport purchased the land in 1970, but the park itself was not developed until 2005. It is the only park that allows horseback riding in the city.

In 2006 the park name was changed from Southwest Park to Sunderbruch Park.
Be sure to come spend time in this beautiful place. It’s like being in the countryside when you are right in town.

Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures …

Kaia and I were seeking a new park to explore, and we found a gem. Sunderbruch Park is in west Davenport at 4675 Telegraph Road.

Named after the “West End” boy himself, Dr. John (Jack) Sunderbruch, physician, community leader and lifetime West End resident, this 134-acre park truly has something for everyone. We found plenty of great places to explore.

The pavilion at Sunderbruch Park can be reserved off the Davenport Parks website

Kaia and I started our day walking across Blackhawk Creek bridge, and we followed the 2.4-mile round-trip paved multi-use path. Once across the bridge, the park opens to a multitude of trails to satisfy every want and desire. The paved trail took us past fields and pasture, prairie and wooded forest. Such a perfect place to slow down and take in the sights!

There are benches along the trail and informational signage is plentiful and quite educational. We saw many Eastern bluebird houses mounted on posts but didn’t witness any bluebirds that day. Maybe next time. There is also information posted about butterflies, tallgrass prairie, invasive plants, upland forest, animals, and birds. This is most definitely a great resource to fit in a little teaching along the way, or just to brush up on one’s own knowledge. Be sure to bring the kids.

The tallgrass prairie area will be quite impressive as it grows through the summer months.

After almost completing the round-trip paved pathway walk, Kaia and I could not resist entering the dirt paths which lead through the woodland. The paths are very natural, but well maintained, sometimes actually closed to all usage if conditions are wet and paths would likely be damaged due to over-usage. Some of the trails are designated one-way only and are well identified so you’ll know when you are out hiking or walking your dog.

Sunderbruch Park is unique in the fact that it has three different trail systems with opportunities for walking, hiking, off road biking (7 miles with difficulty ranging from green to black diamond,) and 4.5 miles equestrian. Each trail is well identified, though there are so many trails, one could spend much time trying to experience them all. A paper map would have been helpful, (there are trail maps available online, but we did not find any paper maps available to the public). Kaia just wandered and enjoyed every minute of it.

The history of Sunderbruch Park

A little history about the park, Davenport purchased the land in 1970, but the park itself was not developed until 2005. It is the only park that allows horseback riding in the city.

In 2006 the park name was changed from Southwest Park to Sunderbruch Park.
Be sure to come spend time in this beautiful place. It’s like being in the countryside when you are right in town.

Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures …