Inspired by the obscenely pleasant weather we've had over the past few weeks, I stopped by Germantown Municipal Park.

Municipal Park is one of my long-time favorite suburban hang outs. No matter when I visit, it never seems crowded. There are tennis courts, a pond (with ducks), a pavilion, a playground, and a big open field that's perfect for playing.

It's also the home of a historical home.

The John Gray house is one of the oldest brick residences in Shelby County. It was originally located in Eads, but was moved to Municipal Park in 1989 for preservation. I've never been inside; every time I've been at the park, its doors have been locked. After a bit of enthusiastic jumping up and down (I'm short, and the windows are high up), I can report that the house is furnished as it probably would have been when it was built in the mid-1800s.

Municipal Park is right next to the Germantown public library, which makes it a perfect place to catch up on your reading. The open field is perfect for picnics, and the playground has a huge jungle gym and swings.

Go There:

Germantown Municipal Park