Discover Greensboro Summer 2022

FEATURE STORY Facilities

UrbanOasis Escape into nature, just minutes from bustling city life. Standing on a short stretch of sandy shoreline at the marina, Lake Townsend stretches off into the distance, a perfect mirror of the blue, cloud-filled sky interrupted only briefly by forested shoreline. Somehow, the atmosphere is different here. With the sailboats and bald eagles and 1,500 acres of reservoir, you are in the middle of a green and blue nowhere. Only you’re not. You are 15 minutes from downtown Greensboro. Lake Townsend, Lake Brandt, and Lake Higgins are the City of Greensboro’s reservoirs, providing drinking water to 300,000-plus people. They are also vast nature preserves with unique ecosystems, offering city dwellers the peace and calm

of the great outdoors and the thrill of water sports. All you’ve got to do is come visit. Whatever Floats Your Boat Because the lakes provide drinking water, there is no swimming allowed. There is still plenty to do on the water. All three lakes provide private launch for motorized and non-motorized boat owners. They are also great places for beginners who want to learn says Megan Rhead lake activity specialist at Townsend. “For a city this size, it is hard to find no car noise and be out in true nature.” You can rent a kayak, standup paddleboard, or rowboat at any lake. The rental fee gives you access for the full day and provides all the safety equipment you need. The equipment is designed to make it easy

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