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Scioto Audubon Metro Park

4.6 (86 reviews)
Open 6:30 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

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Alycia H.

This morning's been a great walk fresh air great views so much fun to explore. Have a great day everyone

View of the rock climbing area from the water tower.
Marissa C.

Scioto Audubon is a nice nature oasis located near downtown, on the banks of the Scioto River. It has a neat range of options available, including activities for those who love nature, birds, challenges, and events! The nature center here is the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, which is both a really nice event space with a nice view of downtown, as well as a great resource: it offers a fun indoor playground, a library that's great for kids and adults, and there are critters to visit, such as turtles. It has a nearby parking lot available. If you are looking for challenging activities, Scioto Audubon is home to rock climbing (featuring 3 towers and 2 arches, plus small boulders) and a nearby obstacle course featuring things like a tire run, balance beams, monkey bars, and the like. There are some separate parking areas available down by these areas. Also in this activities area is the playground, which offers some fun activities for kids to climb, run, jump, and more, as well as the iconic water tower, which you can climb up partway and enjoy the view from two platforms. Despite the urban location, there is a lot of natural stuff to explore here too. The river provides a great place to watch for birds, and the trail that runs near it is forested, as well. There's a neat wetland area with a boardwalk that runs between the nature center and the activities area. The major trails here include the 10 mile paved Scioto Greenway that runs along the river, a 2.5 mile connector trail that lets you get around the park easily, and a 0.4 mile grass loop around the wetland. Other amenities include three non-reservable shelters with picnic tables and nearby grills. Other activities include boating, canoeing, and kayaking (there is a boat ramp available) and fishing from boats or dock. Weather permitting, there is a sledding hill too! A dog park, with its own parking area, is located down past the activities area. During normal times, they offer some great programs and events, particularly for bird watchers and kids, but right now it's cut down a lot and the nature center is currently closed. It's still well worth a visit because you can enjoy everything the outdoors areas have to offer!

Ya Y.

Another great metro park in Columbus. My husband and I visited here during the fall season, and it was gorgeous. We used the shared bike service for the first time, and we rode around the beautiful Columbus downtown area. It was so convenient to use the bike through Lyft app.

The turf dog park is amazing. My dog loves coming here, there's plenty of parking and it's cleaner than every grass park. Plenty of space in both the small and big dog area, and both areas have grassy bits behind the turf. They even had a ice pool for the dogs during hot summer days, and every dog owner I've met here has been really friendly.

Tyann A.

This is such a beautiful park! They have a nice walking path, beautiful scenery, unique play equipment and rock climbing! I highly recommend checking it out.

View Of The Scioto River
Mike G.

10 years ago this area was a post industrial eyesore with derelict buildings and an impound lot full of broken down cars. Fast forward to today and Scioto Audubon Metro Park is 120 acres of reclaimed urban land with great views of our downtown skyline and plenty of things to do. This park is bounded by freeway on three sides so you've got a sense of noise and motion around you at all times so it's not a typical laid back suburban style park. This is an active park with a dog activities area, jogging trails, volleyball, climbing walls and obstacle courses so you can get your exercise. It's a place to get your blood moving. While it's not a huge park it does boast a lot of different things for almost everyone to enjoy. Like I said, it's not a quiet park but it does have some nature trails, ponds, grassland and a deck at the Audubon Nature Center if you just want to sit and watch the day go by. My favorite part here is the ancient water tower that they've re-purposed into an observation deck. I'm glad to see that someone had the imagination to keep this structure as a focal point instead of simply taking it down. Kudos to them for their forethought. Scioto Audubon Metro Park - If you haven't been there yet, you need to check it out.

Ryan S.

This 120 acre metro park spans the whole of the Whitter peninsula, a semi-circular out cropping that once held industrial buildings that date back to the beer days of the now known Brewery District to its east. A great wetlands preserve that features bogs and dusty trials that curve through them. To the west beside the Scioto is the greenway, the multi-use trail making a great scenic pathway to enter from downtown. This is probably the most urban of Columbus' metro parks and has to my eye a unique geography. It seems suck between the river, route 23, and the skying downtown buildings cut off by I71. These features seem perfectly made to contain a green space, a kind of out-thereness in the immediate in-there of inner I270 neighborhoods. Like a lost world in the urban jungle. A wilderness cut between cosmopolitan and the crafty German-American Victorian styles down Whitter. It is not all swamp, though the swamp is enough to render a high rating with its flora and fauna habituating in the brush and grasses, flowers and sticks. In the center is a well maintain activity area that has a children playground and a rock wall ready for climbing. Dead center is an old water tower with viewing decks. Red and industrial it gives homage to the spots past and showcases the southern view of the city. (the southern view is not the best but does give a sense of the scale relative to the park.) Boat and canoe drops are found near the river past a tree line that gives the trail a darker scene. Entrance is made via Whitter or the greenway. There is ample parking. For the summer months when the flowers bloom and the grass turns green Scioto Audubon is a fantastic escape for downtown and south Columbus residents.

Emily S.

A very beautiful park in Columbus. Right next to German Village! There is plenty of parking. A really cool rock wall. A super cool confidence course area, and a fun looking kids play area. They even have something for your dogs with a small and large dog park. The rangers who work here are the friendliest! There's a few pretty sections here where you can see the marshes. But, be careful where you walk... there is goose poop all over the trails and grass areas.

River
Steve A.

Scioto Audubon Metro Park is among the newest of those in Columbus. It has a great view of the Scioto River. There's a nature center and a few observation areas. It's located conveniently from the downtown neighborhood. There's also activities like a climbing wall. If you've been to any of the other metro parks, you know they're usually in a more rural area. It's different here. The park is located just south of downtown in the Brewery District area. It's convenient to many nearby bars and restaurants. The park is located on Whittier Street. It sits on the former site of the impound lot. The parking lot is located near the end of the road. The nature center is the big building next to it. If you want to learn more they have educational activities. The observation deck next to the river is one of the best places to take a picture. On the northern side of the park are more activity areas. There's a massive climbing wall. It looks like a mountain. The bike trail is connected here so it's possible to get to other parks. I can think of several fun things to do at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. If you want great pictures go anywhere along the river. The climbing wall is a great workout.

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3 years ago

Great park! Loved the trails and all the areas to explore. Will definitely be going back.

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Review Highlights - Scioto Audubon Metro Park

There is an obstacle course, rock climbing, a play ground for the kids, volleyball courts, and several picnic areas.

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Battelle Riverfront Park

Battelle Riverfront Park

4.3(8 reviews)
1.3 miDowntown

There are so many tiny parks around this part of town, it's hard to know which one is which. I walk…read morethis area often and have walked by this park too many times to count, however I just learned this past weekend that it's technically it's own and not part of the others. Confusing, I know. The best way to pinpoint this specific park is to look for the cute, whimsical statues in the lawn. They go along with the story shared on the plaque just behind them. The author's note reads, "It is wise to remember the ancient people before us who greeted new things to this continent. How did they teach children to prepare for great change, holding to virtue as they discovered the voyagers? The hero of this fantasy, Pickaweekee, is named for a village of "The People Who Arose From Ashes," whose ancestors vanished from the Scioto Valley centuries past." In layman's terms, the story is about Pickaweekee, a Native American boy from a Scioto Valley tribe who embarks on a mythical journey of discovery. Alongside each animal statue is a smaller plaque that explains its purpose and how it fits into the story. It's super cute and I love that art is incorporated. There's several creatures and I believe they were all made by sculptor Jack Greaves. If you're looking for a fun spot to take the kids, definitely stop by here during your walk. It only adds to the beauty and culture that is Columbus.

Another beautiful section along the Scioto River! While you can continue to use it as part of the…read moregreenway or a stroll down the Scioto Mile area, Battelle Riverfront Park is also home to quite a few memorials, monuments, and art pieces to enjoy. The memorials include one for the Columbus Firefighters, featuring an eternal flame at the top of the piece, the Spanish American War Memorial, and the Workers Memorial, which is dedicated to the Franklin County Workers who have passed while on the job. One of the memorials, which is dedicated those lost on the Space Shuttle Challenger, was designed by local children and is called Their Spirits Circle the Earth. The art features a wonderful swooping sculpture Freedom by local sculptor Alfred Tibor and a sculpture of a man, woman, and baby called To Honor the Immigrants by local sculptor Gary Ross. There are also a number of bronze animals populating the grassy tree area to catch the eye - these six sculptures, along with a large plaque containing the story the illustrations are pulled from - are in the James W. Barney Pickaweekee Story Grove here in Battelle Riverfront Park. There are also donor plaques lining the sidewalk near the memorials and art. This is a very peaceful and relaxing spot. There is nearby street parking using the meters, or it's easily accessible as part of the trails running along the Scioto.

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Battelle Riverfront Park
Battelle Riverfront Park - Love this view !

Love this view !

Battelle Riverfront Park

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North Bank Park

North Bank Park

4.2(9 reviews)
1.4 miArena District

My wife and I decided to get married at the pavillion. This was an amazing venue and the staff are…read moreamazing and accommodating. We got married outside and had the reception inside and under the pavillion. The venue provides you with tables and chairs, which is amazing for the price. You are able to bring your own food or high your own vendor. For alcohol, you have to purchase a temporary permit $170 and have to hire from a preferred alcohol vendor. That said, we hired the bartenders from Ohio Bartenders and purchased our own alcohol and beverages. Much cheaper option and worked perfectly. The outside space is large and perfect for any occasion. Also, the pictures you can take are just amazing. You also have access to the kitchen space which has a large standing cooler and industrial ice machine. Everything you need in one place, it's perfect. Parking is a bit scarce but when you reserve you get 26 spots located right in front on the street. I would highly recommend renting this for your next celebration of any kind.

North Bank Park has such wonderful views of the city. It is conveniently located next to the many…read moreparks along the Scioto Mile and connects to the greenway trails that go through the area. It features a very nice and popular shelter that, in non-pandemic times, can be rented. At our visit, it looked like they were doing some work on it. There is a nice large area of picnic tables under a shady area, plus umbrella tables with a great view of the river, providing a lot of opportunities to sit and relax. There is a fountain near the shelter, though it wasn't currently running at the time of our most recent visit - it's probably a bit early in the season. Street parking is available nearby (if you can get it - it was full up when we came by), or there are garages in the area. You can also access via the trails by foot, scooter, bike, and the like. We walked over from Battelle Riverfront Park and back again.

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North Bank Park
North Bank Park
North Bank Park - Picnic table area near shelter.

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Picnic table area near shelter.

Franklin Park

Franklin Park

4.3(30 reviews)
3.2 mi

YE Gurl Says: Franklin Park Lit Up My Night (Literally)…read more Date: September 6, 2025 Place: Franklin Park - Water Lantern Festival (Yelp Contest Winner!) I've been to Franklin Park before for the African Festival, but little did I know there was a gorgeous man-made lake and walking area tucked behind the amphitheatre. Honestly, Columbus needs more events out here--imagine summer concerts lakeside. Come on, Cbus, don't sleep on this! Thanks to a Yelp contest win, I got two tickets to the Water Lantern Festival and was excited to experience it for the first time. I brought the beau, packed a sweater (because yes, sweater-and-jacket weather arrived), and we found a spot to settle in. The experience started with decorating our lanterns--super thoughtful packages that came with a deck of cards and conversation prompts to keep the evening flowing. The event itself was well organized: shuttles helped us avoid the parking madness, there were plenty of food trucks (though I ate beforehand), and the staff kept things moving. The only hiccup was the AV system--it was a little hard to hear, and the lantern launch was delayed due to the chill. But when those lanterns finally floated onto the water, the view was worth it. Beautiful, reflective, and something I can now check off my list as an artistic and soulful evening. YE Gurl checked the box and lit the night!

We love Franklin Park and love doing our family walk time with our doggie Ellie. Absolutely would…read morerecommend taking a stroll on a pretty day, or you could even have a picnic. It's a huge park with an amphitheater, cascade waterfalls, a community garden, an Asian-inspired garden, a playground, a picnic shelter, and ponds stocked for fishing. The park is also the home of the annual Columbus Asian Festival, the Franklin Park Adventure Center, and the amazing Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

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Franklin Park - Spring blossoms

Spring blossoms

Franklin Park
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Columbus Commons

Columbus Commons

4.3(105 reviews)
1.1 miDowntown

Over the years as many things have been located on the site now known as Columbus Commons…read more Most recently, this was the site of a large downtown shopping mall with several large department store chains anchoring the facility financially and with customer foot traffic. prior to that there was an ice rink available to the public known as the centrum. Now it is a green space that hosts, public gatherings, concerts and is a wonderful place to picnic. As of the mid 2020s there have been frequent weekly appearances of food trucks on specific days offering a wide variety of unique foods. On the north end of Columbus Commons there is an outdoor stage, which act has the venue for live performing arts events. These can include the Columbus Symphony, but also other live music and performing arts as well. some of the adjacent local restaurants have windows which open toward Columbus Commons and these are great venues too watch and appreciate all the goings on. It has become a popular spot to host a variety of cultural events, and, while significantly smaller in size and scope, in that respect it generally shares a similar mission to downtown Chicago's Grant Park. Ample parking is available in the garage to the south of Columbus Commons and on surrounding streets. There is also a large underground garage at the Ohio State house, and some other garages and flat lots nearby. I have never found parking to be a huge problem. There is also an underground garage beneath Columbus Commons. Bottom line: lots and lots of parking.

We came here on a Fri night and took some pictures/videos. This was when it was dead and not many…read morepeople around. I wished they had food open to help draw in more people. We came back on Saturday night and it was packed. It was like the whole city came out. There was free hot chocolate, food, and small shops. Also, they turned on more lights, Santa Claus was there to take pictures with, and the carousel was on.

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Columbus Commons
Columbus Commons
Columbus Commons

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Scioto Audubon Metro Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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