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Slightly Secret Columbus Parks

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Started 2 years ago by jodyNcolumbus
Latest reply from lazyfish

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byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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I know the Olentangy River Wetland Reserch Park is not a secret to all, because the bike path was buzzing when I visited. However it is still relatively new compared to it's busy neighbor to the North, the Northmoor - Henderson section of the Bike Path through Whetstone Park.

The wetlands section is easy to get to by bike, but if you are car/biking the public parking is limited. By bike you can join the path on the North end from Clinton-Como park or to the South by Tuttle Park (stairs at the West end of Hudson or small lot West end of Oakland). Car parking is limited at the trailheads, but there is some at the actual wetlands (352 Dodridge St). I parked on street in the Olentangy Village Community on Sunset Dr, which has a gravel path to the bike path. It is private property, but I am hoping occasional use is OK. You can park at Whetstone or Northmoor, but know you will be biking on street from Northmoor Park to Pacemont.

What I like about this section of the bikeway is that it has 2 bike/pedestrian bridges in a short stretch, giving nice river views. The ride through the wetlands is especially peaceful considering all the activity outside it's perimeter. It seemed like a good spot to catch a sunset since the wetlands has an open horizon.

Are there other unknown parks or bikeways that provide an alternative to the popular spots like Antrim and Whetstone? I'd love to hear.

Posted 2 years ago #
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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well, from what I could tell this weekend Goodale park is no longer a secret.

Hayden falls is. One of my favorites.

Posted 2 years ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
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As I reserve the right to drop the Griggs boathouse into any thread, I recommend you check out Duranceaux Park, and the ravine with the caves behind Indian Village Camp, before construction begins.

Or try "Twin Lakes" aka Area S on St. Rt. 745 north out of Shawnee Hills, you can walk past the cable across the road and go walking in mature hardwood forest past a heron rookery.

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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I always liked Frank Fetch Park in GV. Very small, but so well maintained. Like a little bonsai tree compared to Schiller.

Posted 2 years ago #
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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I've always enjoyed the Smith Nature Trail located on Fishinger Road just west of Kenny. Park in either of the church parking lots and enjoy the trail through the woods with a small stream.

Posted 2 years ago #
Snarf
How Do I Delete My Account
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I really like the SW portion of Franklin Park - never busy, great waterfalls.

Posted 2 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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When I lived in German Village, I always enjoyed exploring the southern end of the bike path. It starts at Greenlawn, & continues south between Berliner Park & the river, all the way to 104. The path itself is nice, but for mountain biking, the real fun is in all the improvised trails throughout the woods. Of course, you'll occasionally encounter some people who live in the woods and others who like to just "hang out" there. So keep that in mind. Otherwise, it's a blast.

Posted 2 years ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
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On Olentangy River road, south of Antrim Park, there's a nature trail - you can see a brown sign for it, in front of the police substation. Not too many weirdos enjoy parking in a police lot so crime is not much of a problem. The trail leads back, forks, and kind of peters out but you can explore around. There are some old home sites and a bend of the river that were obliterated when 315 was built.

Posted 2 years ago #
Manatee
The eternal present
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This is a cool thread! I will look into these spots.

Posted 2 years ago #
GW_Justice
Grandview Hts.
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Tarpy Woods in Marble Cliff has to be the most secret park in the county. It is not on any map and you will not find clear directions on the net. I'm not even sure if it has signs.

It's just a hundred or so yards of path in the woods, so I can't recommend it. But if you are into secret parks, this is it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Manatee
The eternal present
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Ha, these are my recommendations for CU meetups :p

Posted 2 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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The Metro Parks own a huge swath of land along the Darby, immensely larger than where the trails from the marked parks go. I like going to the Darby on SR 665 and hiking north. Park at the Little Pennsylvania Cometary.

Posted 2 years ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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Hey great to see all the 'secret' spots listed here. I know the Olentangy Greenway between Wilson Bridge and 161 is definitely not a secret, but 2 new improvements may be. They recently added a woodchip path parallel to the paved path to reduce congestion. Also, there are 2 very nice new park bench areas with river views. Last week there was a meeting on restoration of the olentangy parkland and you can read more on this post on the Leave No Child Inside Blog.

Posted 2 years ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
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In Dublin, there are two Kiwanis Riverway parks - one is under the west end of the 161 bridge, and the other is on the east side of the river, turn off 33 at The Quarry office complex. There are many springs, and a boardwalk along the riverside.

Acctually, if you go to the Dublin GIS and select to view parks, there are many parks scattered around.

Posted 2 years ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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Thanks to the Dispatch article about the new Boathouse on the Scioto, I discovered the beautiful Indian Village and Duranceau Park area on the West side of the Scioto, just South of Fishinger, enter at Thoburn off Dublin Rd. I think it is a very well kept secret except to photographers, I saw more than one group getting photographed with the fall foliage. The Indian Village has a large stonewalled fire pit which would be cool for group campfires; it features Kayaks and other outdoor activities. I can't believe I never knew about it.

Also, I stumbled on a Super Secret Pocket park North of Lane Ave off Fred Taylor Drive. It is a good sized pond surrounded with cattails and walking paths. It is directly West of the Bill Davis Baseball Stadium. I found it on Google Maps, then looked for a trailhead access which I found by parking at the Ohio 4-H Center at 2201 Fred Taylor Drive

Posted 2 years ago #
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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jodyNcolumbus wrote >>
Also, I stumbled on a Super Secret Pocket park North of Lane Ave off Fred Taylor Drive. It is a good sized pond surrounded with cattails and walking paths. It is directly West of the Bill Davis Baseball Stadium. I found it on Google Maps, then looked for a trailhead access which I found by parking at the Ohio 4-H Center at 2201 Fred Taylor Drive

That would be Chadwick Arboretum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chadwick_Arboretum

Posted 2 years ago #
DavidF
Elysium Fields
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alexs wrote >>
On Olentangy River road, south of Antrim Park, there's a nature trail - you can see a brown sign for it, in front of the police substation. Not too many weirdos enjoy parking in a police lot so crime is not much of a problem. The trail leads back, forks, and kind of peters out but you can explore around. There are some old home sites and a bend of the river that were obliterated when 315 was built.

Love that little park. I've never seen another person there.

Posted 2 years ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
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As I said, check out Duranceaux before the construction begins. It will be quiet no more :/

How about abandoned parkland? Park on Scioto off Greenlawn, at the dam and fire academy, and walk upstream past the concrete K-rail barriers. It goes back at least half a mile, you're walking at the top of the bank facing downtown and overlooking the pool behind the dam with the skyline behind it. The place looks like it has been a dump site for years, but here and there in the woods you can see the old concrete picnic tables that indicate this used to be parkland like Griggs, etc. It's like the city shrugged it off some 30 years ago, and it's right in the heart of town.

Posted 2 years ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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Woodward Park off of Karl Road falls into this category. It's hidden behind a school off Karl Road. In fact, the Department of Parks and Recreation lists the official address as 5147 Karl Road which puts you in a school parking lot. The Yahoo Local address (1352 Fahlander Dr N, Columbus, 43229) will actually put you in this nice little park.

I did my Earth Day service here.

http://recparks.columbus.gov/Parks/Parks_308.asp

Posted 2 years ago #
lazyfish

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at the risk of losing some quiet secluded spots in the city, here are a few more secret spots which make for a good hike.

Bill Moose Ravine aka the ravine between the deaf school and the blind school, the best entry point is off Indianola north of Morse, south of the soccer fields, look for the holes in the fence, the section of Bill Moose west of High behind Wesley Glen is also secluded but fairly degraded by erosion and invasive plants.

one of the best walk is Camp Mary Orton, off 23 north of 270, park at the entrance gate and walk the ravine, one of the best preserved ravines in Central Ohio.

Glen Echo ravine is also nice, the section west of Indianola is nice, wear water shoes as the stream bed is the best "trail".

Posted 2 years ago #