Scioto Audubon is a 120-acre oasis in the downtown heart of a major city. It’s a partnership effort between Metro Parks, the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and Audubon Ohio. The park sits on the bank of the Scioto River on the Whittier peninsula in Columbus, already a magnet for shore birds and birds of prey. Metro Parks has created seven wetland cells in the park, approximately five acres in total, to enhance the wildlife habitat. Wetland birds such as wood ducks, blue-winged teal and sand pipers have been attracted to the park, along with egrets, northern pintail ducks, pied-billed grebe, American bittern, herons and osprey.
As well as birding, visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking and jogging. The park is developing other recreational resources, and has the largest free outdoor climbing wall in the United States available for experienced climbers to enjoy. The three towers and two arches of the main climbing wall reach a height of 35 feet, and extend over 6,100 square feet. Climbers must bring their own gear and equipment, including ropes, and must sign a liability waiver before using the wall for the first time. A shade structure with seating is available nearby the climbing wall, as well as sand volleyball courts and Neos, an interative electronic game. There are two dog parks on a 2-acre site, one for large dogs and one for small dogs, each with an obstacle activity course.
Audubon Ohio operates a downtown nature center inside the park, the Grange Insurance Audubon Center at 505 W. Whittier Street.
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Fishing
Hiking/biking trail
Climbing wall
Sand volleyball
Neos - interactive electronic game
Dog Park - two acres
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SCIOTO AUDUBON
400 W. Whittier Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(Franklin County)
From I-71, take the Greenlawn Avenue exit east one-third of a mile and turn left on South Front Street. Go a quarter of a mile and turn left on West Whittier Street. Entrance is one-third of a mile on left.
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Climbing wall at Scioto Audubon Metro Park: Wilma Yoder
Climbing wall: The largest free outdoor climbing wall in the country, 35 feet high. Climbing is free, but climbers must bring their own ropes and equipment. The climbing wall opens at 9am and closes one hour before the park close. On the second Friday of the month, from March through November, the climbing wall will stay open till midnight. Call the ranger cell phone number (614.202.5197) to verify late-night opening in case of bad weather conditions.
Boat Ramp: You can launch your boat and sail the Scioto River.
Fishing Access: Fish the river from the boat ramp or elevated fishing dock.
Hiking and Biking: The Scioto Greenway Trail runs through the park.
Neos: An interactive electronic game structure provides fun for visitors of all ages.
Sand volleyball: Three competition size sand volleyball courts are available in the Central Activities Area near the climbing wall. Nets are in place, but we recommend that you bring your own volleyball. Court use is free.
Dog Park: A 2-acre dog park features separate areas for small dogs and large dogs, each with its own agility course. The dog park is located just past the climbing wall in the central activities area.
Grange Insurance Audubon Center: A nature center providing educational programming and information for the city of Columbus, its residents and public schools.
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