The cooler weather and beautiful colors make fall a great season to get out and explore your Metro Parks! Here are a few tips from park naturalists on how to best enjoy the season.
BLACKLICK WOODS
Cody Berkebile, Naturalist
October is a wonderful time to explore Blacklick Woods. As the purple and gold flowers fade in the fields, the trees glow with reds, oranges and yellows. Take a drive to the nature center parking lot to pass through a tunnel of fall foliage or if you want to get on the trail, try a walk along the Multipurpose Trail or Maple Trail to witness the transformation from summer to fall.
Soak in the view at Ashton Pond or even try your hand at casting a line and seeing what fish you can catch. As temperatures cool and the seasons change, get out and see what you can discover in Blacklick Woods.
CLEAR CREEK
Katie Bennett, Naturalist
October ushers in cooler temperatures and a beautiful landscape as the leaves change. The topography and variation in elevation at Clear Creek create some of the best views during the fall. Take a hike to the fields at the top of the Fern Trail or to Lake Ramona to see the changing leaves. If you aren’t up for the steep terrain that many of our trails are known for, Clear Creek Road is a short scenic drive with stops along the way to enjoy views of the creek.
If you’re visiting the park with kids, check the bulletin boards located in each parking lot for a fall scavenger hunt. Have fun finding all of the items listed while you are on the trail.
During October, we plan public backcountry hikes to areas of the park that offer unique views. If you’ve hiked the trails at Clear Creek and are interested in exploring the park more, register for a backcountry hike. Check out the Clear Creek Facebook page for more information regarding programs. Regardless of the activity you choose, we hope you have fun on your next adventure at Clear Creek!
GLACIER RIDGE
Sarah Hunter, Naturalist
Glacier Ridge is a great place for families with nature lovers, pet owners and athletes.
This fall, take the opportunity to have some outdoor family time. Explore the forests and fields and look for birds, insects and other wildlife or take a walk to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. Visit the Honda Wetland to look for migratory shore birds and climb up to the top of the observation tower to get a bird’s eye view!
After a nature hike, the kids will love playing on two different playgrounds. There’s a more traditional playground with slides and bars to climb on and another wooden adventure park, featuring a climbing wall, ropes and even a zipline!
Looking to get fit? The 12-piece obstacle course is sure to work up a sweat. If that doesn’t wear you out, swinging the training ropes and flipping the large tires will. Bring your friends for a game of disc golf on the 18-hole course.
Even the dog will love Glacier Ridge. The 2.5-acre fenced-in dog park is a great place to let them run free. A quarter of an acre is covered by forest so they are free to sniff and jump over logs. They can even practice their agility on several agility structures.
Glacier Ridge has a little bit for everyone to enjoy this fall!
Thank you!! Just moved to Ohio from California and needed this. Thank you so much!
Lisabeth