PHOTO STORY

A PEACEFUL ESCAPE

BY JACOB DURBIN | PHOTOS BY JACOB DURBIN

Blendon Woods serves as a refuge from daily life - especially during the pandemic.

Ahike through a park any time of year can serve as a peaceful escape from daily life. For residents of the Columbus area, there are many parks scattered around the city for anyone to enjoy at their leisure. BlendonWoods is situated on the northeast side of the city. With a heavy blanket of snow in the winter of 2021, its peaceful setting and diverse wildlife was a sight to behold.

Located within the park are interconnected hiking and crosscountry skiing trails, dense forests and open meadows. “As you enter the park you are immediately immersed in the oakhickory forest,” says Heather Williamson, manager of Blendon Woods. “Blendon Woods is approx. 650 acres with a 118 acre Waterfowl Refuge, this is a great place to observe wildlife in a natural setting. More than 230 species of birds have been sighted at the park. . . In the winter we offer ice skating on our half-acre pond and cross country skiing.”

Williamson has had a nearly two-decade career with Metro Parks, with her career beginning in 2001. She’s been the park manager at Blendon Woods for the past four years.

“I am in charge of scheduling the ranger, naturalist and maintenance staff, maintain our operating budget, manage our natural resource plan and schedule the projects that improve the facilities/amenities in the park,” Williamson says. “I like being able to get out in the park and be involved.”

Parks like Blendon Woods proved popular during the past year, serving as an escape from daily life amidst the pandemic.

“I really enjoyed seeing all the families come out together as a unit to explore nature during the pandemic,” Williamson says. “Our attendance increased 40 percent in 2020. It makes me satisfied knowing that those folks chose to come to my park and that only pushes me to strive harder at providing the very best for the public. I love the outdoors and feel very blessed to have a career in something that I love doing everyday.” b

A close-up of a red-bellied woodpecker seen from the observation deck at the end of the Lake Trail.

The Lake Trail features signs giving brief descriptions and stories about the wildlife found in the park.

“I really enjoyed seeing all the families come out together as a unit to explore nature during the pandemic.”

HEATHER WILLIAMSON MANAGER OF BLENDON WOODS

The Lake Trail features signs giving brief descriptions and stories about the wildlife found in the park.

Geese and ducks of various breeds gather at Thoreau Lake. Situated at the end of the Lake Trail within the Walden Waterfowl Refuge, this is a popular area for birdwatchers that has two observation decks, with one overlooking the lake.