Great Parks Recommends Its Favorite Cincinnati Parks for Every Sort of Outdoor Adventure

After months of being cooped up at home, Cincinnatians are finally emerging from their cold-season cocoon to explore the beautiful natural landscapes in and around the Queen City. From walks along stunning prairie trails to fun-filled water sports on the lake, Great Parks, Hamilton County’s parks system, has something to offer every sort of outdoor adventurer this summer. CityBeat spoke with Amy Roell, Great Parks’ director of programming, to help you plan your summertime fun outside, whether you’re seeking some peace and quiet in the woods or an opportunity to learn more about Cincinnati's history.

CityBeat : Which of the Great Parks would you visit for a summer picnic?
Amy Roell: Woodland Mound has a great view of the Ohio River, a great disc golf course that was recently refurbished, a fun playground for the kids and a beautiful prairie to walk along the 1.2-mile paved, shared-use trail while you are there. Plus, the Seasongood Nature Center offers fun exhibits and activities, including a life-sized replica sycamore tree with doors that reveal birds and animals, an outdoor observation deck and a wild bird viewing area.

CB : For those who may be unable to head to the beach this summer, which park(s) would you recommend for beach-inspired fun?
AR: While we do not have a beach, water sports are plentiful at Winton Woods Harbor. You have the Parky’s Ark wet playground, and at the lake, you can rent a kayak, paddleboard, rowboat or pontoon boat to get out onto the water. You can even take a class on kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding through the Adventure Outpost, also at Winton Woods.

CB : Which park(s) would you recommend for those hikers looking for some solitude?
AR: Mitchell Memorial Forest is a 1,649-acre park that features several trails, including the Wood Duck Trail, a 1-mile nature trail that leads you through a peaceful forest. Keep an eye out on the trail for owls, deer or even lightning bugs during summer evenings.

CB : Which park(s) would you recommend for a more challenging hike?
AR: Shawnee Lookout offers some great trails to get your heart rate up and your blood pressure down. There is great birding along the way and lots of history to learn about, too. Overlooks of the Ohio and Great Miami rivers are on each of the three trails — Blue Jacket Trail (1.3 miles), Little Turtle Trail (2 miles) and Miami Fort Trail (1.4 miles).

CB : Conversely, which park would you recommend for an easier hike?
AR: Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve has an interloping trail that covers about two-thirds of a mile, most of which is paved. It takes you through an amazing array of habitats, and many birds, flowers and other interesting sights can be seen along the trail.

CB : Which park(s) would you recommend for history buffs?
AR: Sharon Woods is our oldest park and although there are several projects going on there, you can still enjoy trails and the stone bridges and other structures built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the '30s. For some very old history, walk the award-winning Gorge Trail, featuring fossil-filled rocks from the Ordovician period, about 450 million years ago.

CB : Which park(s) would you recommend for Cincinnatians to take their out-of-town friends and family members?
AR: At Miami Whitewater Forest, there are over 4,600 acres of fun — including camping, over 14 miles of hiking trails, bike riding, boating, dragon and duck boats, paddleboards, kayaks to rent, the visitor center with cool displays and live animals, disc golf and an 18-hole golf course.

CB : Which park(s) would you recommend for a family-friendly adventure?
AR: Glenwood Gardens is home to the Highfield Discovery Garden, a beautiful place for adults and children to learn and experience the beauty of plants and whimsy. There is also a great paved Garden Loop Trail that is 1.1 miles in length with an additional unpaved trail called the Wetland Loop to add an additional 1.6 miles to your hike. New at this park is the Glenwood Gardens Music Garden, a uniquely interactive destination featuring all-weather percussion instruments set among musically themed plantings. The music garden is the eighth themed garden at Highfield Discovery Garden, joining the Frog and Toad Garden, Wizard’s Garden, Trolley Garden, Vegetable Garden, Grandma’s Scent Garden, Butterfly Garden and caterpillar-friendly Morph Garden.

CB : Which park would you recommend for those families with toddlers or babies in strollers?
AR: Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods is perfect for families with toddlers or babies in strollers. This site has a great playground, lots of animals to see and welcoming barns that guests can enter. In addition to the animals and gardens, Parky’s Farm showcases a multitude of natural habitats. From fields and open spaces to ponds, a wetland and woods, you can discover a large variety of flora and fauna.

CB : Which park(s) are easily accessible for those in wheelchairs and/or for people with disabilities?
AR: Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve offers a paved trail, easy access to exhibits and programs in the Ellenwood Nature Barn. Coming soon to Sharon Woods will be a $13-million destination playground, offering a welcoming play experience for children of all ages and abilities.

CB : Which park(s) would you recommend for bird watching? And which parks might have the best potential for wildlife viewing?
AR: Shawnee Lookout is popular in the summer with birders, as is Miami Whitewater Forest. Both places offer big spaces for animals to find their niche. Deer and other mammals can be seen too.

CB : Which park(s) has the best scenic views for summertime photoshoots?
AR: Woodland Mound has great spaces for sunset photos, including the Breezy Point Pavilion with its breathtaking view of the Ohio River Valley. Glenwood Gardens has beautiful manicured gardens for a great backdrop for photos.

Learn more about Great Parks by visiting greatparks.org .