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Optimist Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · Running trail in Hattiesburg, Mississippi · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Optimist Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park with a walking trail and a children's playground, plus picnic tables and a public restroom.
What runners say about Optimist Park
“Decent bathrooms that were clean albeit desperately needing a coat of paint.”
“We didn't go on the walking paths, but it looked like a good walking area in the shade.”
“To meet friends, have a picnic, workout, or just play:) great for all ages”
Fun park even for tweens. Passing through on our travels and brought our 10 year old to play. A good amount of kids at 5 pm. She had a really good time. Love the Southern attitude and all the kids were so adorable. Looks like a nice walking trail as well.
Beautiful park! The playground is well maintained - my daughter loved it. They have stuff for toddlers and older kids alike, as well as two elliptical machines for parents to use right at the playground. The restrooms were clean (be sure to use the ones near the playground & not at the baseball field).
Cute playground with trail near ballpark. Decent bathrooms that were clean albeit desperately needing a coat of paint. Fully fenced little playground was packed on the weekend and has numerous benches to sit.
Such a fun small playground with some great equipment. Also a nice paved walking trail that goes around the playground. The road that leads into the playground is currently under construction, so you have to enter via Pioneer Rd. Great shade over picnic tables. Our 5 year old had a blast.
Trail conditions & character
“The restrooms were clean (be sure to use the ones near the playground & not at the baseball field).”
“We didn't go on the walking paths, but it looked like a good walking area in the shade.”
Plan your run at Optimist Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Websitevisithburg.org
- Phone(601) 545-4623
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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