Durant Nature Park in North Raleigh is an old boy scout camp. And on a first visit, it's easy to identify the camp's remnants: The lodge, fishing piers, old camp sites.

Today, it's a 237-acre city park right in the middle of North Raleigh off Durant Road. And it's the first place TriangleMom2Mom is featuring this week as part of Take A Child Outside Week.

I first went to the park a couple of years ago on a story I was writing for The News & Observer. I was immediately struck by its beauty and isolation even though it's not too far from all the bustle of I-540 and Triangle Town Center. Tall trees, secluded trails, birds singing. It's a little oasis.

I've been back with my daughter since then to take short hikes along the park's five miles of trails, feed the fish at the lower lake and head down to the playground nearby. Each time we've played there, we've seen at least a couple of deer running in the meadow next to the playground. There's a bathroom, along with lots of picnic tables, right next to the playground.

Assistant Manager Jeri Smart tells me the Secret Creek Trail, which starts at the park office and heads down to the playground, is probably the best trail for little ones. The half mile hike is easy if not stroller friendly. The longest trail is the Border Trail which, at 2.2 miles, would be a pretty easy hike for older kids.

Durant has several programs this week in honor of Take A Child Outside Week, including Love a Tree on Friday evening, Sample Durant Nature Park on Saturday morning and For the Birds on Monday morning.

Today, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., assistant manager Jeri (who took over this summer for the much loved Amy Corbally ,who now is at Wake County's Harris Lake) will lead the regular Thursday morning Wee Walkers, an easy walk for kids ages one and up through the park. The walk happens every Thursday at 10 a.m. (except holidays) and is free. It's a great way to spend the morning.

Durant has a large variety of programs throughout the year, including an overnight camp out twice a year where families sign up for one night of camping complete with campfires, camp food and some nature education. With civilization a short walk away and only one night "roughing it," it's the kind of camping that I think I can handle. The next one is probably next spring.

And many North Raleigh residents know Durant for its very popular Halloween Trail, which features nature-based, not-scary skits along the park's trails. This year, the event is Oct. 24 and Oct. 25. Please note a big change if you plan to go: Registration is required for the event. You can't just show up.