Metro Parks (Columbus, Ohio)

The Metro Parks are a group of 19 metropolitan parks in and around Columbus, Ohio. They are officially organized as the "Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District". The Metro Parks system was organized in 1945 under Ohio Revised Code Section 1545 as a separate political division of the state of Ohio. The Metro Parks are overseen by a Board of Park Commissioners consisting of three citizens appointed to three-year terms without compensation by the Judge of the Probate Court of Franklin County, Ohio. The Board in turn appoints an Executive Director responsible for operations and management of the parks.

The Metro Parks system protects over 27,000 acres of land and water and extends over seven counties in Central Ohio and the Hocking Hills area. Facilities and programs include trails, shelters, lodges, nature centers, educational facilities and programs, natural resources management, stormwater management, picnicking, boating, and other recreational activities.

Parks

Battelle Darby Creek

Located near Galloway, this is the largest park at over 7,000 acres.^[1] Unique features include restored prairie areas that house a group of American bison, a large nature center with exhibits about the exceptional biodiversity of Big Darby Creek, and a Fort Ancient mound. Much of the land for the park was donated by the Battelle Memorial Institute. Location: 39°53′17″N 83°12′57″W / 39.8880556°N 83.2158333°W / 39.8880556; -83.2158333 (Battelle Darby Creek Park)

Blacklick Woods and Blacklick Woods Golf Course

Blacklick Woods Metro Park

Opened in 1949, and located in Reynoldsburg, this is the oldest park in the system. Within the forested area of the park is the Walter A. Tucker State Nature Preserve and the Blacklick Woods Nature Center. Location: 39°56′14″N 82°48′28″W / 39.9372222°N 82.8077778°W / 39.9372222; -82.8077778 (Blacklick Woods Park)

Blendon Woods

Located in Northeast Columbus near Westerville, 653-acre Blendon Woods contains rolling forest land along with the 118-acre Walden Waterfowl Refuge with its 11-acre Thoreau Lake. The park also features a nature center, natural play area and a disc golf course. Location: 40°04′22″N 82°52′45″W / 40.0727778°N 82.8791667°W / 40.0727778; -82.8791667 (Blendon Woods Park)

Chestnut Ridge

Opened in 1988, Chestnut Ridge is located on the first ridge in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains southeast of Columbus near Carroll.^[2] At 1,116 feet (340 m) AMSL, it rises approximately 300 feet above the surrounding land. On clear days, it is possible to see the skyline of Downtown Columbus from one of the overlook points on top of the ridge. Other features of the park include picnic areas and extensive mountain biking trails. Location: 39°48′23″N 82°45′37″W / 39.8063889°N 82.7602778°W / 39.8063889; -82.7602778 (Chestnut Ridge Park)

Clear Creek

The most remote of all Columbus Metro Parks, Clear creek is located near Rockbridge in the Hocking Hills region of southeast Ohio. Nearly the entire park is designated a State Nature Preserve, making off trail activity prohibited. Unique features of the park include stands of hemlock trees, numerous deep hollows, and wildflowers. Location: 39°35′31″N 82°36′02″W / 39.5919444°N 82.6005556°W / 39.5919444; -82.6005556 (Clear Creek Park)

Glacier Ridge

Glacier Ridge Metro Park

Just northwest of Dublin, Glacier Ridge opened to the public in 2002.^[3] The park contains a paved multi-use trail, a disc golf course, a bridle trail, and a large wetland area. Location: 40°09′20″N 83°11′43″W / 40.1555556°N 83.1952778°W / 40.1555556; -83.1952778 (Glacier Ridge Park)

Heritage Trail

This Linear park located in Hilliard opened in 1995. The primary feature of the park is a 7-mile (11 km) multi-use trail. Location: 40°03′43″N 83°11′58″W / 40.0619444°N 83.1994444°W / 40.0619444; -83.1994444 (Heritage Trail)

Highbanks

Highbanks Metro Park

The most visited in the park system, Highbanks contains exceptional natural features and was designated as a National Natural Landmark. Located near Lewis Center, the park was named for large shale bluffs that overlook the Olentangy River. Within the park is a large nature center, a sledding hill, a Natural Play Area where off trail activity is permitted, Adena culture mounds, and the Edward F. Hutchins State Nature Preserve. Location: 40°08′38″N 83°01′42″W / 40.143889°N 83.028333°W / 40.143889; -83.028333 (Highbanks Park)

Homestead

In Hilliard, Ohio. Homestead is a 44-acre park in Hilliard featuring a covered bridge, a replica train station and an outdoor amphitheater. It has a 0.75-mile paved trail which connects to the 7-mile Heritage Trail, which runs along the park’s western border. Location: 40°03′09″N 83°11′10″W / 40.052485°N 83.1859766°W / 40.052485; -83.1859766 (Homestead Park)

Inniswood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve (Inniswood Metro Gardens)

Unique among the Metro Parks, Inniswood is primarily a managed botanical garden. Located in Westerville, there are a number of theme gardens that showcase various plant communities. Location: 40°06′07″N 82°53′52″W / 40.101944°N 82.897778°W / 40.101944; -82.897778 (Inniswood Gardens Park)

Pickerington Ponds

A State Nature Preserve in Southeast Columbus, this park was first acquired in 1986. It is primarily focused on providing a habitat for various birds and contains many wetland areas. Location: 39°53′10″N 82°48′11″W / 39.885988°N 82.803151°W / 39.885988; -82.803151 (Pickerington Ponds Park)

Prairie Oaks

Located on the Franklin/Madison County border, Prairie Oaks first opened to the public in 2000.^[4] As the name suggests, the park contains large areas of restored Oak Savannah that were common in the area prior to European settlement in the 1800s. A former quarry area in the eastern part of the park provides boating opportunities as well as a canine swimming area. Location: 39°59′47″N 83°15′30″W / 39.996389°N 83.258333°W / 39.996389; -83.258333 (Prairie Oaks Park)

Rocky Fork

Westerville, Ohio. Features more than 1,000 acres of woods and fields. The park includes a bridle trail, dog park and off-leash dog trail, a paved trail and nature trails plus a picnic shelter and wetlands. Rocky Fork runs through the park, which is a partnership with New Albany, the City of Columbus and Plain Township. Location: 40°06′57″N 82°48′56″W / 40.1157984°N 82.8154987°W / 40.1157984; -82.8154987 (Rocky Fork Park)

Scioto Audubon

The most urban of the Metro Parks, Scioto Audubon is located in the Brewery District near Downtown Columbus. The park is a major bird migration stopover, and as such hosts the Grange Insurance Audubon Center. Opened in 2008, the park is situated on a peninsula stretching into the Scioto River and contains numerous wetland areas. Other features include multi-use trail connection to the north and south, a climbing wall, and an old water tower with an overlook deck. Location: 39°56′58″N 83°00′35″W / 39.949444°N 83.009722°W / 39.949444; -83.009722 (Scioto Audubon Park)

Scioto Grove

Grove City, Ohio. The 19th Metro Park opened in May 2016 and features five backpacking sites as well as seven miles of trails through woods and along the river. Location: 39°51′15″N 83°01′36″W / 39.8541996°N 83.0266979°W / 39.8541996; -83.0266979 (Scioto Grove Park)

Sharon Woods

Named for Sharon Township where it is located, this park is among the most frequently visited. Schrock Lake provides fishing opportunities, and the park also includes the Edward S. Thomas Nature Preserve containing a number of old growth oak trees. A multi-use trail runs along the perimeter of the park. Location: 40°07′00″N 82°57′49″W / 40.116667°N 82.963611°W / 40.116667; -82.963611 (Sharon Woods Park)

Slate Run and Slate Run Living Historical Farm

South of Canal Winchester, this park's most notable feature is an 1880s era working historical farm staffed by volunteers. Visitors can see 19th century farm life, interact with the farm animals, and learn about canning and meat preservation. Other parts of the park include extensive hiking trails and a restored wetland area. Location: 39°45′43″N 82°50′53″W / 39.7619444°N 82.8480556°W / 39.7619444; -82.8480556 (Slate Run Park)

Three Creeks

Managed in cooperation with the City of Columbus, Three Creeks is located near Groveport and Bexley. Along the confluence trail, visitors can see where Alum, Big Walnut and Blacklick Creeks merge. Picnic areas, lakes, and extensive trails round out the features of this park. Location: 39°53′48″N 82°54′45″W / 39.8966667°N 82.9125°W / 39.8966667; -82.9125 (Three Creeks Park)

Walnut Woods

Opened in 2011, this park encompasses a former tree nursery. Located just east of the village of Groveport, Walnut Woods also includes two dog parks - one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Wetland restoration is ongoing in the central part of the park. 39°50′18″N 82°52′00″W / 39.8383333°N 82.8666667°W / 39.8383333; -82.8666667 (Walnut Woods Park)

References

External links

Protected areas of Ohio

Federal

National parks	Cuyahoga Valley

National historical parks and sites	Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP First Ladies NHS Hopewell Culture NHP James A. Garfield NHS William Howard Taft NHS

National Monuments	Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers

National memorials	David Berger Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial

National trails	North Country Trail

National forests	Wayne

National wildlife refuges	Cedar Point Ottawa West Sister Island

National estuarine research reserve	Old Woman Creek

National Natural Landmarks	Brown's Lake Bog Cedar Bog Dysart Woods Fort Hill State Memorial Glen Helen Nature Preserve Tinkers Creek Gorge

State

State parks	Adams Lake Alum Creek A. W. Marion Barkcamp Beaver Creek Blue Rock Buck Creek Buckeye Lake Burr Oak Caesar Creek Catawba Island Cleveland Lakefront Cowan Lake Deer Creek Delaware Dillon East Fork East Harbor Findley Forked Run Geneva Grand Lake St. Marys Great Seal Guilford Lake Harrison Lake Headlands Beach Hocking Hills Hueston Woods Independence Dam Indian Lake Jackson Lake Jefferson Lake John Bryan Kelleys Island Kiser Lake Lake Alma Lake Hope Lake Logan Lake Loramie Lake Milton Lake White Little Miami Madison Lake Malabar Farm Marblehead Lighthouse Mary Jane Thurston Middle Bass Island Maumee Bay Mohican Mosquito Lake Mt. Gilead Muskingum River Nelson Kennedy Ledges Paint Creek Pike Lake Portage Lakes Punderson Pymatuning Quail Hollow Rocky Fork Salt Fork Scioto Trail Shawnee South Bass Island Stonelick Strouds Run Sycamore Tar Hollow Tinkers Creek Van Buren West Branch Wingfoot Lake Wolf Run

State forests	Beaver Creek Blue Rock Brush Creek Dean Fernwood Gifford Harrison Hocking Maumee Mohican-Memorial Perry Pike Richland Furnace Scioto Trail Shade River Shawnee Sunfish Creek Tar Hollow Yellow Creek Zaleski

State nature preserves	Acadia Cliffs Adams Lake Prairie Audubon Islands Augusta-Anne Olsen Aurora Sanctuary Baker Woods Evans Beck Memorial Betsch Fen Bigelow Cemetery Blackhand Gorge Bonnet Pond Boord Brown's Lake Bog Burton Wetlands Caesar Creek Gorge Lou Campbell Carmean Woods Cedar Bog Chaparral Prairie Christmas Rocks Clear Creek Clear Fork Gorge Clifton Gorge Howard Collier Compass Plant Prairie Conkle's Hollow Copperrider-Kent Bog Crabill Fen Cranberry Bog Crane Hollow Crooked Run Culberson Woods Davey Woods Davis Memorial Marie J. Desonier Drew Woods Dupont Marsh Eagle Creek Emerald Hills Erie Sand Barrens Etawah Woods Flatiron Lake Bog Fowler Woods Frame Lake Fen Gahanna Woods Gallagher/Springfield Fen Goll Woods Goode Prairie Gott Fen Greenbelt Greenville Falls Gross Memorial Woods Hatch-Otis Halls Creek Headlands Dunes Hueston Woods Hutchins (Highland) Irwin Prairie Jackson Bog Johnson Ridge Johnson Woods Karlo Fen Kendrick Woods Kessler Swamp Kiser Lake Wetlands Kitty Todd Knox Woods Kyle Woods Ladd Natural Bridge Lake Katharine Lakeside Daisy Lawrence Woods Little Rocky Hollow Mantua Bog Marsh Wetlands McCracken Fen Mentor Marsh Milford Center Railroad Prairie Miller Morris Woods Mud Lake Bog Myersville Newberry North Pond North Shore Alvar Novak Sanctuary Old Woman Creek Owens/Liberty Fen Pallister Pickerington Ponds Portage Lakes Wetland Prairie Road Fen William C. McCoy Raven Rock Rhododendeon Cove Rockbridge Rome Rothenbuhler Woods Saltpetre Cave Sears Woods Seymour Woods Shallenberger Sharon Woods Gorge Sheepskin Hollow Sheick Hollow Sheldon Marsh Shoemaker Siegenthaler-Kaestner Esker Smith Cemetery Spring Beauty Dell Spring Brook Sanctuary Springville Marsh Stage's Pond Strait Creek Prairie Stratford Woods Swamp Cottonwood Edward Thomas Tinker's Creek Travertine Fen Triangle Lake Bog Trillium Trails Walter Tucker Tummonds Warder-Perkins Whipple White Pine Bog Forest Zimmerman Prairie

State scenic rivers	Big Darby Creek Chagrin River Conneaut Creek Cuyahoga River Grand River Greenville Creek Kokosing River Little Beaver Creek Little Darby Creek Little Miami River Maumee River Mohican River Olentangy River Sandusky River Stillwater River

Regional

Metro Parks	Ashtabula County Metroparks Cleveland Metroparks Columbus Metro Parks Erie MetroParks Five Rivers MetroParks Geauga Park District Hamilton County Park District Johnny Appleseed Metro Parks Lake Metroparks Lorain County Metro Parks Metroparks of Butler County Metro Parks, Serving Summit County Metroparks of the Toledo Area Mill Creek MetroParks Trumbull County MetroParks

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (web)

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