At Antrim Park, bring your fishing pole, because you can even fish in addition to normal, but fun, park activities.
Antrim Park is more easily accessible by car, but you can also take the #2 or #4 COTA bus north.
nature
The Whetstone Park of Roses
The Whetstone Park of Roses showcases 11,000 roses, but also has a Heritage Garden, Earth-Kind Rose Garden, Herb Garden, and a Perennial Garden.
The park is easily accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the Glenmont Ave. stop and walk west.
Topiary Park
This Topiary Park is famous for being a garden shaped like a painting.
The Topiary Garden is easily accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the E Main St. and Washington Ave. stop.
Scioto Mile
Scioto Mile is easily accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the W Broad St. stop, and walk south along the river.
Schiller Park
Schiller Park is in the middle of the historical German Village, and is known for hosting free weekend plays.
Schiller park is accessible by the #7 COTA bus. Get off at the E Whitter St. and Jaegar St. stop.
Goodale Park
Goodale Park is easily accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the Buttles Ave. or Swan St. stop and walk west.
Columbus Commons
Columbus Commons is one of Columbus’ greatest green spaces in the urban center. It is home to many of the city’s festivals, concerts, and more, along with just being a great place to hang with friends and relax.
Columbus Commons is easily accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the W Town St. stop.
The Olentangy Trail
The Olentangy Trail is a paved bike path and public trail that runs north and south through the city for nearly 14 miles, all the way from Worthington to downtown Columbus.
It’s a great place to explore, whether walking, biking, skating, or anything in between! I’ve been riding this trail for about a year now, and there’s always something new to discover.
In the campus area, you can find the trail just west of Morrill and Lincoln Towers, with entry points also at Lane Avenue and Woody Hayes Drive. If you ride a few minutes north you’ll hit Tuttle Park, where you can find children playing, open-use sports fields, a practice hockey rink, and much more.
Ride north a few more minutes and you’ll find the OSU Wetlands, where interesting research and volunteer opportunities abound! Keep going and you’ll discover the Whetstone Park of Roses and eventually Antrim Lake, all the way up in Worthington.
The trail also contains many points of river access, so if you’re into canoeing or kayaking, you can easily do that too. (Check out the Outdoor Adventure Center for more info on their canoe trips!)
In the end, the Olentangy Trail offers a beautiful and scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, at least for a little while. Green trees arch overhead, cute dogs play in the grass, and the river rushes past happily on its way to the Scioto.
Whether you’re going for a run or just relaxing after a long day of class, the Olentangy Trail is always a great place to be.
