So many beautiful parks to discover, so little time!!! This hidden gem I "discovered" on a…read morebeautiful fall afternoon while attempting to be more social (and less of a hermit!!) in the Columbus area. It's almost a SIN to be indoors this time of the year, so as soon as the indoor stuff was over, I googled nearby parks and decided to check out Duranceaux. Small(ish), clean, quiet, scenic, right on the river, with just a few people walking their dogs, playing on the playground, and flying kites, what more could you ask for?? There is a nice looking educational facility available for groups on one end of the park and what appears to be an OSU boathouse on the other end. If you're from this area, maybe you're already away of this great, tucked away, "secret" spot, but I got the feeling even a few locals might not know it's there. Worth checking out... ENJOY!!

A long skinny park along the river, as is common in this area. We entered from the north, but if…read moreyou're going to the playground (as we were) or the shelters, nature center, etc., I suggest entering off Dublin Rd. The long drive down has plenty of picnic tables, etc., but not many spots to park. The playground is small, but nice. Right near a shelter, with a lot nearby. Shade and benches handy for the grownups. There's a big building that looks like a lodge house, where a wedding was going on. Signs say there is an "education center"- may just be a nature trail? It's south of the playground somewhere. A great resource for the community, and worth a return for more than just the playground.

This is a really nice park. A nice paved path that seems to go far. Over the covered bridge looks…read morelike there was a grass perimeter path. They had a nice size playground and a fitness type playground too. Good access to the creek as well. A few soccer fields and a putting green too. A climbing wall as well. There was a picnic shelter too.

This place didn't appear when I tried to "check in" on Yelp, nor did it show in its listing. I saw…read morea "Sycamore Park", but that's an address in Canal Winchester, so I figured I'd create it. It's located across the street from Victory Park in Pickerington and a few hundred feet down. I used to go to this park in the summer, over the years because they hosted a summer concert series in the amphitheater that included one group that I enjoyed more than others (anyone know if Paradise Island is still performing?). Outside of that, we never spent much time there. Yesterday, we decided to check out areas to relax and decided to give Sycamore Creek Park a look since we really hadn't seen the park itself. It's fairly decent, with a walking trail and a few picnic areas, in case you want to take family and friends for a cookout. It even has a section you can reserve. There's also a tennis and basketball court, if you're feeling active. I took interest in the pond area, in which several people were fishing. I walked over to the south side of it and found a nice vantage point or photos. However, if I wanted to take advantage of the sunset, there was a huge rock that I could pose my subjects on. I didn't walk around, but I may do it later to see if there is anything else of interest. I did add two photos so you can see what I'm taking about, regarding the pond. I understand that they have a sledding hill in the winter time. Something you might want to consider for the kids (and adults). Worth checking out.

I've always wanted to live near farm land, as it's my ideal dream home. Therefore this park then…read morebecomes the next place that comes up in that conversation where I take my pet besides my dream home, the Prairie Oaks Metro Park of course! Prairie Oaks reminds me of the days when I was a child and would wander free running much like my dog around parks. I truly miss those good ole days but try to relive my childhood through my pet who is much like a little child. This park has over so many acres of land for dirt paths, woods, ponds, etc. What is there not to love about this place? Except why I don't live nearby! I swear if this was much conveniently closer, Bella and I would be visiting this place on a daily basis for walks and play time. There's nothing like being in a metro park with fresh air and beautiful nature surrounding you. I cannot wait to come back here during a nice beautiful day with my husband and dog Bella enjoying what nature has to offer at Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

So I've got this dog-mom guilt, and I feel horrible if I go somewhere to enjoy the outdoors, and I…read morecan't take my dog with me. Many of the Metro Parks, though you can take your furry friend, do not allow pets on many of the trails. And if they do, it's a boring paved trail. Not at Prairie Oaks! This place loves dogs! Pets are allowed on basically every trail- and some are gravel, some are beautiful dirt paths, all through the woods and around the ponds and through the prairies- simply gorgeous!! There is even an off-leash area where your pup can hop in the water and splash around! I've always though this park to be too much of a drive, so I hadn't gone until now. But it's only ten miles outside the West Outerbelt, and only about a mile off the freeway- very convenient, and you feel like you're much farther away from the city than you are. I can't wait to go back. Maybe I'll go today!

I took a stroll around Wolfe park one evening and really enjoyed the serenity. It was a breezy, 70…read moredegree day, so there were a few kids out playing and cyclists around. I also saw a few people fishing in this creek. I can't say that's mu vibe but if it's your thing, here's an option.

I parked here and had a road bike ride on the Alum Creek Trail. Altogether good although when I…read morewent south there was construction and the trail was closed so I had to go north and had a great ride. Good place to go riding!

Beautiful little (little is the operative word) park. I never knew this park existed until I saw a…read morereview for on Yelp. It's a surprising little oasis tucked between some major office buildings and the freeway (I-71). Water, waterfalls, walking paths, even a shelter. I peaceful oasis in an unexpected location.

This is a beautiful little pocket park located near the Microsoft/Veeam Building. There was…read moreplentiful parking available in the lot adjacent to the building and park. It features several little waterfall areas that help mitigate the noise of the nearby highway. There is a pond and a couple of small shelters where you can sit and relax. It also features a really neat wind sculpture, the North Star, that can be seen when you are passing by on the highway. It spins gently in the wind and adds a nice focal point just behind the large waterfall. It was designed by Robert S. Mullins. There's a paved walking path around the park that provides a good view of the highway, for those interested. Quiet and relaxing.

Noticed this on the way between a couple of other parks- noticed the playground, specifically. And…read morewhen we went to the one nearest the road, noticed another farther back. K loved the larger playground; small one was fine, but definitely for younger kids. The big one is spread out a bit and has lots of play options. Plus, plenty of benches for tired adults. And a shelter with bathrooms, though in March those aren't open for the season yet. It's a good park in general. Lots of green space, some trees, quite a few shelters, the two playgrounds, plenty of parking, basketball and tennis courts, ball fields... Right in the middle of a growing area, so good for the neighborhood. Not busy on a spring weekday. We'll be back someday, though it's far from our usual routes.

I watched the eclipse here and it was a wonderful setting so, of course, I had to write up a review…read moreto tell you all about it. It's located in Powell, a hop, skip, or jump off of 315. It's pretty freakin' big and while I only explored a portion of it, what I did experience was great. For starters there is plenty of parking and they have restrooms on site. There's also a couple shelter areas so you can stay out of the sun or have a picnic. What I loved most was that there is a ton of green space, perfect for playing frisbee or throwing around a baseball. It's also well kept and had recently been mowed. While I was there, other than watching the eclipse, folks were playing cornhole and kids were practicing their soccer skills. Off in the distance was a lovely playground area that had swings, slides, and more. I heard there is also a small lake, but I did not have the pleasure of seeing it. Overall, it's a pretty solid park and the community around here is lucky to have such a place.

I found yet another good park in Columbus called Northmoor Park. It's easily overshadowed by the…read moregreat Whetstone Park so it's not well known except by those who live around it. There are several smaller parks like it around. It sits near the Olentangy River. The park is not easy to find but it's accessible by the bike trail. It may not be that much to see, but it's more laid back and if you want a quiet time. It has a small parking lot so you may have to park on the street if it's crowded, but usually it's not that much people there. The residents in the homes around it are usually good about keeping the park clean. It's not a big park so there isn't much to do here. There are a few tables you can eat a lunch at. It has a good amount of deer around so there's lots of picture opportunities. The Olentangy Trail is by the park so that's where it seems most of the visitors come from on their way to Whetstone Park. I think Northmoor Park is somewhere that needs appreciated more. It may not have the prestige of its neighboring parks but it still is great to spend time at. The area around it is nice and there is beautiful scenery to see there.

This salient of green juts in behind beautiful houses in the back streets of Clintonville. It is a…read moreneighborhood park and fishing spot with old, healthy trees and a scenic ( or what passes for scenic on the Olentangy) view of the river as it comes along a bend just North of N. Broadway. It also has a canoe launch and access to the bike trail which runs through it. The entrance is hidden and seems like a darken drive, but it is there on Olentangy Street. It is a nice place to began a ride, but the parking is few; about nine spaces are available to park on well maintained gravel. Small, the park also has picnic tables. There is much wildlife here. Just north of the park on the trail just before the grass preserve of Whetstone, is a curvature where dear often frolic. These deer are use to people and you can get nice close up pics, or commune with them from as near as 7-feet. There are tall trees here. They are at least 250- year old, and have looked over the Olengangy before Columbus was founded, before Ohio was a state, before the USA was even born. Native American looked at these trees. They are old. It is a combo shot of a pleasure park and rustic naturalness. Though it is small it is shaded and cool in the summer; a place I stop on my rides, runs, and walks to rest. It is also a serene place to read, chill, and take pics.

Great little hidden gem of a park! Right near Everal barn…read more The actual playground has little coverage from the Sun. restrooms nearby, picnic tables and a drinking fountain. Rest rooms open Late October to April. Fields for soccer, lacrosse etc

They did a great job hosting the Westerville Music & Arts festival here. The staffers working the…read moreevent were all really welcoming and we were able to park at one of the designated lots easily. The parking map was a bit confusing, but it all worked out. It was laid out well throughout the park and you could enjoy the live music from several musical acts as you walked around to all of the vendor tents. Park has a small pond and a paved walking path.