Lifelong history buffs, we joined OHS a few years ago, and this year decided to visit all of the…read moresites in their system. We were going to Urbana for a festival and saw this was nearby, so we stopped in. And fell in love. It's small and out of the way, and beautiful. The visitors' center is pretty new, and small too, but nice. A little gift shop, meeting rooms, some educational exhibits. The staff were super friendly and helpful. The trail (boardwalk) is wheelchair and stroller accessible, which was nice for us with a baby. It's a short loop, and you are right in the middle of the fen, with flowers, water, sun and shade, and little lizards. A beautiful, relaxing, educational walk. Plan for an hour or so. Well worth a detour. We'll be back.

Want to take a walk on the "wild side?!?" Looking to feel "lost" though you haven't even stepped…read morefoot off the trail? This local gem will appeal to nature fans, procrastinators, and just about anyone who's feeling a need to commune with nature and take a great walk. Nothing waaaaaaaaaaay out in the wild blue yonder, but this well marked, informative trail with take you through quite a few very interesting habitats and make you wonder if you're about to fall off the edge of...... Urbana?!? The well-placed signs tell what you're seeing, and provide interesting facts for kids and adults. Take advantage of the well-placed benches to relax and just LISTEN to all the NATURE happening all around you... I've got a ton of pics. I'll try to get around to posting eventually... There's a fee to go in (sorry, can't remember what it was) and they even have a box after hours for you to pay "honor system." It's a bit higher fee than we thought it would be, but they do amazing work keeping this place up and making it a unique, interesting spot to visit. Oh, and by the way, it's not really a BOG at all, it's a FEN!!! (You'll have to go there yourself and see why, smarty-pants!!) ENJOY...!!

This pleasant little park is right at the corner of 42 and 736, across from what used to be Ranco…read more The sign says it is maintained by Jerome Township and Ranco, but since Ranco has been gone for, what, 15 years, and it's not listed on Jerome Township's website, I don't know who takes care of it now. Somebody does- it is clean, and mowed, and there is a porta-potty, handy for travelers and picnickers. I used to stop here while delivering packages in the area, and today it was a nice place to eat a lunch I picked up, since you can't currently dine in. A few parking spaces, hard up against the road. Lots of shade, a couple of picnic tables, the sign, and the creek. I think there's a memorial on the corner; next time I will check it out.

It's... a park. It's…read moremainly open green space, a few shade trees, a couple of benches. That's it. Nice to have on the edge of the neighborhood. The bike trail runs alongside it. There is a little sitting area by the river, which is nice. Pretty basic park though.

New park in a huge new subdivision. Not finished yet, but the playground is and that's what we…read morewere here for. Medium-sized playset with lots of options. Climbing, slides, swings, etc. Soft rubber mat under the whole thing. And tables with shade for the old parents! Plus a trash can. Plus a shelter nearby with tables and bathrooms. Baby K loved it. Give it a few months for the grass to come in, and it will be a nice park. Lots of green space; zero shade except the shelter and playground though. Plenty of parking all around the edges, and a dedicated lot.

Great park with a paved path for walkers, runners, and bikers. You can go north or south; I prefer…read moresouth because it's along the river and I've seen deer, rabbits and chipmunks. There are two parking lots, a skate park, playgrounds, a tennis court and pickle ball court. It's a 5 minute drive for me and my new favorite destination for my morning walk.

I frequent this park when staying nearby for work reasons. I enjoy the amenities it offers year…read moreround, including some bathrooms, drinking fountains, and benches. I run, and the trails in Olentangy Park are quite nice. There are paved trails, and some off the path trails for running and walking. The trails themselves follow a river, with a interstate on the other side. However the tree canopy and abundant foliage help give it a more secluded feel. There are soccer fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a skate park tucked back a little further from the entrance I use. I see other runners, walkers, bikers whenever I'm there for a run. The entrance to the park that I go to is a good half mile or more from where I usually stay, but it's always worth the effort.

Nice park located in a suburban neighborhood of Marysville. While there's no parking lot, street…read moreparking is plentiful. On a weekday afternoon in the summer, there were two other families present. The distinguishing feature of this park is the brown fort-like structure. There's also new blue playground equipment including a fancy swing/zip-line thingy for kids. Trees offer shade and the nearby lake makes for nice scenery for adults. Not a super large park but worth visiting if you're nearby :)

Very, very nice park. Plenty of shade, plenty of greenspace. Two big ponds, two playgrounds plus…read morea "treehouse" play structure. A gazebo. Basketball courts. I'd love to have this in my neighborhood.

The Heritage Rail Trail is a nicely paved multi-use trail. We saw cyclists, dog walkers, and other…read morehikers when we headed out. In total, it runs 6.1 miles from Main Street in Old Hilliard to Plain City, though we did not go the full length on our most recent visit. Its path winds along some nice stops if you want or need them, such as the Heritage Trail Dog Park (parking and port-a-potty available, in addition to the dog park of the name in case you've got a four-legged friend with you that wants some extra play) and Homestead Metro Park (parking and restrooms available, plus playgrounds and a train to explore, if you've got a kiddo with you that wants some extra play). A very nice trail!

Flat, straight and easy rail trail. Ran 8 miles on an early Sunday morning and thoroughly enjoyed…read moreit.

A cleaner, more scenic (IMO...) alternative to Buck Creek, but they're both wonderful "secret"…read moregetaways right here in the Field of Springs. I love coming here for a quick, twilight walk across the dam, or a VERY short hike through the woods (or a longer one, if you've got the time) or just to look out over the water as the sun sets. Picnic tables, a little floating dock, reasonably clean restrooms, playground/s closer to the entrance, and more!! I've never managed to be here when the Nature/Visitor's center is open, but hope to, one of these days... Springfield doesn't always get the best "press," but this is DEFINITELY a true hidden gem, and worth a visit, any season!! Next time you're in the area to check out Buck Creek, be sure to ALSO visit Clarence Brown!!!

What a wonderful park on the northern fringe of Springfield, Ohio! There's lots of wooded areas as…read morewell as open grassy areas. You'll find plenty of walking paths, both paved and natural, along with exercise areas. There are quite a few spots for grilling and having picnics. Shelter houses, too. If you have little ones, the visitor center, when staffed, is a good place to start with a kids' hands-on activity area, information booth, and maps. There are restrooms readily available both here and throughout the park and are kept clean and in repair. It's very peaceful here. I live in Columbus and make the drive to enjoy this alternative to our busy metro parks. This is definitely a hidden gem, and it's worth a visit if you are in the area. A solid 5 stars!