Live for the Thrill

Skate Park Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

ven in a bustling city like Columbus, an

Eescape to the great outdoors is always within reach. Whether you want to pack a picnic, paddle a kayak or cruise around on your bike, chances are you’ll find the perfect park nearby.

For those who love a challenge, the new Outdoor Trails digital passbook from Experience Columbus and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission rewards residents for hiking, biking, jogging or paddling throughout the plentiful parks in the Greater Columbus region. Each time a user checks in at a trail using their virtual pass, they will be entered to win a monthly $100 giveaway to a local business. To get started on your next adventure, download your passbook from experiencecolumbus.com/fun and head to one of the area’s unique natural escapes.

7 8

4 5 6

21 Photo by Randall L. Schieber Pho to by Ohio Images Photo by Chadwick Arboretum Hike through forest, prairies and wetlands at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park near Grove City before getting up close and personal with the herd of bison that has been reintroduced to the park. 3 Photo by Experience C ol u m b u s Ph Photo by Visit Du b l in O h i o oto by Andy Spessard Admire plants and walk a labyrinth at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, located on The Ohio State University’s campus, and find a moment of zen. Scale the world’s largest free outdoor climbing wall at Scioto Audubon Metro Park in downtown Columbus before tackling the nearby obstacle course constructed by the Columbus Rotary. Walk into a piece of art at the 7-acre Topiary Park — the only topiary representation of a painting in the world — that fully Stop and smell the roses — more than 12,000 of recreates the scene depicted in Georges Seurat’s famous work. them — at the Columbus Park of Roses. Open year-round, the colors are at their most vibrant from June to September. Photo by Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Columbus’ newest metro park, Quarry Trails, just opened at the site of a former quarry near Upper Arlington, offering challenges such as rock climbing, mountain biking and paddle boarding. Take an easy hike at Hayden Falls Park in the heart of Dublin and discover a surprising 30-foot waterfall. SCIOTO MILE, SKATE PARK: EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS: FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS Whether you’re just getting into the sport or you’re a seasoned backpacker, a quick overnight escape is always within reach at Scioto Grove Metro Park in Grove City. Ph ot o b y Columbus and Franklin County Metro Par ks Check out the Hike, Bike & Paddle Trail to experience the outdoors in Columbus. Visit experiencecolumbus.com/fun or scan this QR code for details.