Winter is a great time to come out and play in your Metro Parks. Don’t get stuck inside wondering what to do when the snow flies. Get the family together to ride down one of our sledding hills (Battelle Darby Creek, Blendon Woods and Walnut Woods kiddie hills, Blacklick Woods Golf Course, Highbanks, Sharon Woods, Scioto Audubon and Scioto Grove.
For a more aerobic workout, you can cross-country ski or snowshoe at all the parks, except Inniswood Metro Gardens, but the trails at Battelle Darby Creek and Highbanks are particularly scenic and you are sure to see lots of wildlife in the woods.
When temperatures have dipped into the teens for several days, and the ponds are frozen, lace up your skates and head to Battelle Darby Creek and Blendon Woods.
You may even want to think “FAT” this winter and ask Santa for a fat bike. These bikes have ultra wide tires for riding in the snow. And there is no better place than the winding Mountain Bike Trail at Chestnut Ridge.
Winter is a little less crowded, so if you are seeking solitude head out to a park anytime and hike one of our many trails. We have more than 200 miles of trails for people of all ages and abilities and you will see many surprises along the way.
Ice skating at Blendon Woods. photo Dan Bissonette
Cross-country skiing at Highbanks. photo Virginia Gordon
Sledding on the kiddies' hill at Blendon Woods. photo Dan Bissonette
Even the little ones love a walk in the snow. Blacklick Woods. photo Terrence Peck
Deer on snowy trail at Battelle Darby Creek. photo Kerry Dunn