The Metroparks: Columbus’s Hidden Gems
Scattered around the edges of the city, like an oasis in the desert to this country boy, are the fifteen preserved natural areas that are the Columbus Metroparks. The parks cover over 23,000 acres, with over 140 miles of trails running through forest, field, and prairie. And, best of all for Columbus residents, they are extremely accessible, with most being just a few minutes from I-270.
With such a large amount of land spread out among these parks (though not evenly, the largest comes in over 6000 acres, while the smallest is only 71), there is an incredible amount of diversity among the parks. Old growth forests, open prairies, river banks, and wetlands are among the types of terrain a visitor may encounter, if not all in one park, then in visits to several. Of course, the diversity of terrain is mirrored by the diversity in wildlife in the parks as well. Countless species of birds and insects, along with the ever present squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks, will top the list for any visitor, but the observant hiker may also spot animals ranging in size from baby frogs, no bigger than a thumbnail, to deer.
It’s not just greenery and wildlife that the metroparks hold. Some parks also contain clues about the way man has interacted with his environment. Giant mounds and other earthworks give testement to the lives of those in Ohio before European colonization. Stark reminders of the lives of early European settlers and residents of Ohio can also be found.
It is not surprising then, that some of the great programs run at the metroparks focus on educating visitors to the various ways that man has used these lands and the resources they provide. Other programs teach participants about the wildlife and flora of the parks, and still others are focused on extending the use of these lands in safe and conservation-friendly ways. All these programs can be found at the metroparks website, and if necessary, reservations can be made instantly on-line.
Speaking of reservations, none are required here at Outdoor Columbus, so come back anytime and read about the individual parks among the other topics we’ll be writing on in the coming weeks.
