May 2026 The Large Grass Area for Dogs to Run and Play is…read moreOpen! And as always it is a beautiful place for people and dogs! There is always fresh water and bowls available for the dogs to get a drink which is something no other park offers. The dogs and people are wonderful at this park and it's rare to come across an aggressive animal here. Everyone picks up after their pet and it's a slice of heaven in the middle of the city! Happy Summer! '26

Biscuit loved this park. He had a great time there. I like that the little dogs and the big dogs…read moreare separated even though my little dog thinks he's a big dog.

This dog park was full of fun for biscuit. He enjoyed all the community dogs really enjoyed this on…read moreour way to Missouri. This was our stopping zone and he would definitely come back.

Scioto Audubon Dog Park is a great option for the downtown area. If you've been there you'll know…read moreit's not the pet friendliest. This is a good place for letting your dog loose. It's also next to a beautiful park if you want to walk around. The only bad thing is it needs more trees. I had to check the map to find it. If you didn't know, Scioto Audubon Metro Park is massive. The dog park is located at the end of Maier Road. It's the road off to the right on Whittier Street when you get to the park. The road goes up and makes several turns past the climbing wall. It finally gets to the dog park where there's a parking lot. There's a single port-o-potty which is usually occupied. I like the Metro Parks in Columbus, so I would come to Scioto Audubon Dog Park again. It's not a big park, which means it often gets busy. The location is great though so that's the best thing.

Magnificent reclaimed wetland on an old Brownfield/giant municipal Auto Towing Lot…read more Ample wildlife has begun to appear since the park has opened. Substantial outdoor rope climbing & artificial rock climbing facilities available. Bootcamp style fitness circuit obstacle course with walls, tires monkey bars and other challenges. Magnificent view of the downtown area of Columbus. Pet friendly areas and paths.

It's pretty here but I couldn't find a good spot to watch the sunset without trees getting in the…read moreway. Overall, such a beautiful park with pretty views!

Spent another lazy Sunday in the park! I welcome any chance to soak up some sunshine. The tree I…read moresat under kept dropping flowers on my head, so I'll likely bring an umbrella next time.

This is a lovely historic park just west of the Short North area. It's a bit hidden from High…read moreStreet (as you need to go one full block west before it's visible) and I only discovered it on my last day of attending a conference at the Downtown Columbus Convention Center. Lots of pluses at this park. First, if you're traveling with a dog and staying at the nearby Hampton Inn, this is your "go-to" destination for dog walks. Second, it has a pretty pond on the north side of the park with an elephant column and winding pathways around the center. Third, if you like jogging, I would suggest running along the perimeter of the park (some inner paths are narrow) to admire the historic Victorian homes surrounding the park. One downside is that I did see a homeless man sleeping on the ground in the middle of the park early on a weekday morning. He was not bothering anyone, but it made me think about what options for affordable housing and social services are available in Columbus.

Downtown Dog Park isn't anything fancy. It's basically a fenced off area of the sidewalk. This…read moredeserves some credit since it's one of the few dog parks in that area. It's kind of quirky which makes it kind of cool. This is kind of hard to find so it's mostly for downtown residents. If you're looking for it you may miss it several times before noticing. It's at the corner of 4th Street and Spring Street. The Elevator Brewery is across the street if you still can't find this. It's unique because it has gravel instead of grass. The benefit is there's no possibility of getting filthy rolling around in grass and mud. I may never bring a dog to Downtown Dog Park, but it definitely will be useful for some people. If you live in the area and you have a dog, you need somewhere like it. This is a good stop if you need to let your dog run around loose awhile without worrying.

Gross. I regretted walking my dog and daughter and niece here from a nearby hotel. If you think…read morethis is acceptable, I hope you can experience better in life. Covered in poop. Smells. Weeds. I guess I'm glad there wasn't trash or needles.

I stumbled upon this park today while out on a quick trip with my sister. We pulled over and…read morecouldn't believe how big and clean it was. What a beautiful surprise! This park goes horizontal between 4th St.and Summit St. and it is in what I would call the "University District." I didn't notice a parking lot but there was easy access to street parking, which is always nice. There were plenty of benches, tons of trees, a giant playground for the kiddos, covered picnic tables, and basketball courts. I noticed a couple dogs while we were walking and would have to say, it's perfect for anyone with animals in the area. My sister and I both commented on how much our niece and nephews would like it. Needless to say, we'll be back.

This park is sooo close to campus! I've driven by it multiple times but never paid attention…read more I came on a Saturday just before noon to help out with an event that the Civic Association puts on. There were tons of other organizations tabling, a DJ, and police on horses. The neighborhood is predominantly black, so that's who I mostly saw, along with white and Hispanic people here and there. There's a playground and basketball courts. Most of the policemen were white and I was glad to see that they were engaging with some of the people in the park. With the current issues of police brutality and racism, it's good to see that people want to dismantle such barriers and prejudices. I even saw one white policemen dancing with the African American kids. It was beautiful!!! Brutus, OSU's mascot also stopped by. How fun!! I took a picture with him since I have never seen him on campus. It's such a wonderful park and I'm glad that the community came together for this event! I'm interested in volunteering again here! One downside is parking. The lot is tiny!! I parked in the fire lane (oops!), but so did others. Parking around here isn't easy, so maybe park close to campus if all the spots are filled.

Scioto River got its name from indigenous name for deer-Scioto, which is also a reason for funny…read moredeer sculptures all over the area. We found them really funny, and made search for one into family scavenger hunt.

Walking around Genoa Park is one of the best ways to explore the city of Columbus, OH. There is an…read moreeasy pedestrian pathway offering terrific views of Columbus' downtown skyline. I was impressed. The park is clean and well maintained. The perfectly mowed grass made for an ideal setting spending time outside on a lazy day in May. Being from out of town, I found a parking spot along a side street right near the park. Although I did have to pay a meter, I didn't care. I first walked over the Rich Street Bridge. Here you're afforded undisturbed views of the city backdrop. Plus you'll notice the paved walkway with benches to sit down on. The Scioto River cuts straight through the heart of downtown Columbus and adds another photogenic element to the backdrop. Continuing along...I passed beside the Center of Science and Industry, I believe it's called COSI. There appeared to be a charitable event happening, but still, this was a good spot take a seat on a staircase in front of the museum. Next I walked past the Columbus Civic Center Historic District. There was so much fresh green grass here and impeccably groomed. You can seriously just take a nap if you feel it, lol. You get good glances of Columbus' Main Street Bridge with high rise residential buildings in the distance. I spent an hour or two strolling the grounds. The park was a pleasant way to escape the (slightly busy, lol) downtown streets of Columbus without having to venture far away from the city aspect. All in all, it definitely had charming elements of NYC's Central Park, but obviously on a much smaller scale. In the end, for those visitors coming to Columbus, OH for the first time, I'd suggest making an effort to walk around Genoa Park.

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.

Seriously, are you kidding me? This is the worst dog park I've ever visited. The worst…read more The entire place, except for where the weeds are growing, is entirely covered with gravel - guaranteed to sit in the hot sun & bake until it becomes uncomfortable for animals to walk on. Good thinking, planners. Someone has left a bunch of tennis balls around for dogs to play with, but the area is also covered with feces. There are waste bags and a waste can available, but clearly it's neither a priority for those using the park nor is it a priority for the city to clean up. The whole thing is, just in my personal estimation, a germy bacteriological nightmare... but hey that's just my personal opinion and what do I know. I was scouting out for dog parks new to me - and my conclusion: I definitely would never bring one of my animals to a place like this. If I could give something lower than a one star rating, I would.