Gallup Park

Distance

1.0-2.0 miles; 2.0 miles to get to the park.

General Attributes

Gallup is another popular area, not only for runners, but for bikers, walkers, and families. It has two paths: a straight, paved trail that follows the Huron River and extends from Fuller Road to the main Gallup Park area, which is near Geddes Ave; and that main area, which is a loop that crosses the river, going through playgrounds, picnic areas, and a bark-path-ed grove of trees before the Border-to-Border Trail* continues on next to the river. Gallup is almost completely paved and is entirely flat. Note: look out for the butterfly garden. I've never seen a butterfly there, but...you never know.

Credit: Jen Bizzotto

Navigating There

The park may be approached (and departed) from a variety of angles. Coming from downtown, Geddes Avenue is hilly but scenic; it will take you to a point where you'll have the option of turning down the paved path toward Fuller Road or turning right to do the park's loop (or to continue down the Border-to-Border*.)

Fuller Road, obviously, is another way to get to Gallup. If you're coming from or going to North Campus, it's especially convenient to use this approach. (It goes right by Mitchell Field, where, incidentally, there are bathrooms and a water fountain.)

A final way to reach Gallup is through Nichols Arboretum. The path connecting the parks is unlabeled but clearly visible; it's situated about in the middle of the paved trail going between Geddes Avenue and Fuller Road. This path offers a way to enter the park (and extend the run, perhaps) without having to go on pavement for too long.

When Winter Comes

Gallup is paved and flat. If you're going to be running in the snow on trails, this is one of the better parks at which to do so. Using Geddes Avenue in the winter is a bad idea, however: the sidewalk is inconstant (rough, sometimes nonexistent, and an unreliable barrier to cars) even in temperate months, and during the winter it's infrequently plowed and often icy, which becomes especially treacherous due to the hills.

In addition to the Border-to-Border* and Nichols Arboretum, Gallup connects to Furstenburg Park*.

*See "Other Areas of Note."