G R E E N INITIATIVE

By Lauren Patterson

Kelleys Island State Park

A National Natural Landmark, the Glacial Grooves at Kelleys Island State Park measure 400 feet long, 35 feet wide and up to 15 feet deep — a massive geological phenomenon created around 25,000 years ago by the same glacier that carved out the Great Lakes. A recent renovation to the Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve provided updates including increased accessibility by way of a new footbridge and elevated walkways, offering better views of Kelleys Island’s extraordinary geologic structures. kelleysislandchamber.com

The Dawes Arboretum

A network of trails covers 12 miles at Newark’s 2,000-acre collection of trees and other plants. In summer 2022, The Dawes Arboretum opened another: the Appalachian Hollow Trail The short, quarter-mile route features a diverse selection of species that you would encounter in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains as well as in portions of Ohio. Largefoliage magnolias, a native azalea, spicebush and more highlight the Appalachian region as one of North America’s most diverse areas for plant life. dawesarb.org

Metroparks Toledo’s Swan Creek Preserve

Climb up and explore Swan Creek from a new perspective. The 1.5-mile Swan Creek Connector Trail, which includes a 580-foot concrete walkway and two steel-truss bridges, now leads Metroparks Toledo visitors higher into the tree canopy. The trail opened in September 2022, providing a connection to 200 acres that were previously inaccessible within Swan Creek Preserve as well as a new vantage point to check out the park’s wildlife, including a variety of migratory birds. metroparkstoledo.com

Cleveland Metroparks’ Euclid Creek Reservation

Take your perch on the scenic overlook 130 feet above Euclid Creek and its forested valley. The vista is found along the 1-mile Eastern Ledge Trail, which opened in October 2022 and features a mix of paved and natural surfaces as well as an 85-foot suspension bridge over the creek. Linking Euclid Creek Reservation to the city of Richmond Heights, this trail is the first of several planned routes to connect the park and the area’s residential communities.

clevelandmetro parks.com

Pack a Picnic:

The Marblehead Lighthouse has kept watch over Lake Erie since 1822. Picnic in the park to the sound of lapping waves, then visit The Keeper’s House Museum to see historical photos and artifacts. Visitors can climb the 77 steps to the top of the iconic lighthouse, which is the oldest in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. marbleheadlighthouseohio.org

JULY

Get a double dip of our favorite hippo siblings during Fritz & Fiona’s

The Cincinnati and Graeter’s ice cream are teaming up for a “cool” fundraiser, where you can sample ice cream from six different tions while meandering through the zoo to see animals after hours. cincinnatizoo.org

Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre in Chillicothe is best known as the home of the outdoor drama “Tecumseh!” but for four days, it’s all about the Bard. This summer, experience the tragic “Henry V,” the playwright’s most famous war story. tecumsehdrama.com

2023 Ohio Magazine Award

Congratulations to Artist John Nativio for American Whooping Crane

"Still critically endangered the American Whooping Crane inspired me to bring greater awareness to its fragile existence."

-John Nativio

The Bryn Du Art Show is a national, juried show of visual arts held every March at the Bryn Du Mansion in Granville, Ohio.

Call for entries for the 2024 show will be open from Oct. 15, 2023 to Jan. 15, 2024.

AUG. 4-6

Who says cardboard can’t float? Crews of determined sailors prove otherwise during an annual cardboard boat race on the Ohio River. The regatta is part of RiverDays in the southwest Ohio town of New Richmond, which makes waves each August with rides, games, food, live theater, musical entertainment, fireworks and more. riverdaysfest.org

Smell the Roses:

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Marietta is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, with access to hiking, kayaking and biking on the Ohio and Muskingum rivers and 200 miles of trails. Combine that with a charming downtown and cold beer, and you’ll see why this southeast Ohio river town is the perfect spot for the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival rtafest.com

Schedel Arboretum & Gardens is home to a range of beautiful, surprising and exotic species as well as a world-class bonsai collection, the Blair Museum of Lithophanes and more. The 17-acre botanical garden in Elmore is beloved for its variety of themed gardens — including the Japanese Garden adorned with unusual conifers, a 30foot waterfall, bridges, pagodas and a torii gate. schedel-gardens.org

Spend a Day at the Beach: Feel the sand between your toes during an outing to Nickel Plate Beach. With its gradual slope into the water, Erie County’s largest public swimming beach is perfect for families. So, pack up your beach tote and head to Huron to soak up the sun’s rays, build a sandcastle, play a round of volleyball and rent paddleboards or kayaks at The Paddle Shack. cityofhuron.org

Walk of Art

Connect with the wide range of public art found throughout our capital city using the Cbus ArtWalks App.

Walking along High Street in Columbus’ Short North Arts District, it’s hard to miss the sheer amount of art on display — works in storefront windows, large murals painted on buildings, chalk decorating sidewalks. Our capital city has long embraced creativity, and Columbus’ vibrant arts scene has grown along with its population.

In 2021, the Greater Columbus Arts Council created a new way to connect with public artworks with the launch of its Cbus ArtWalks App. What started as an online arts database published in 2019 has evolved into a mobile-phone app capable of helping plan self-curated tours and allowing everyone, from longtime residents to travelers to first-year college students, the ability to learn about Columbus and the art found here.

“The biggest thing that people are discovering is that public art lives closer to them,” says Jami Goldstein, vice president of marketing, communications and events at the Greater Columbus Arts Council, who took part in spearheading the ArtWalks project.

The app allows users to filter art by category, with types that range from historic statues to digital installations to architecture. Users can also explore by neighborhood (the app covers 65 in and around Columbus), and the map pinpoints where artworks can be found. Additionally, the app curates tours around various themes.

“We wanted people to be able to find the kind of art that they were interested in, as well as art that was near them and art that would be part of their community,” Goldstein says.

This type of user-centric experience is just the start for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, which has plans to continue expanding features to make art more accessible to everyone through a comprehensive public art plan for the city.

“This app is an important tool in that process,” Goldstein says, “because we’ve already put in people’s hands the ability to explore what’s out there and begin to get a sense of what they like and don’t like and how public art has shaped our community.” columbusmakes art.com/public-art Brett Price

Take a Walk in the Park: A neighborhood park has an artistic update this summer! The Perrysburg Sculpture Walk at Woodlands Park features 16 pieces by artists from across the country. On display through the end of August, the sculptures join the park’s other attractions, including an 18-hole disc golf course, crushedstone pathways, a flower garden and a new all-inclusive playground set to open in June. visitperrysburg.com

Draw those purse strings, folks, because a wild bunch of cowboy bandits are hopping aboard the train. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is staging Ohio’s Friendliest Train Robbery five times throughout the summer. You’ll be provided play money at the depot, and the Wild West adventure adds to the fun for all ages. hvsry.org

AUG. 13

From woodworking to jewelry to pottery, the 35th annual Art on the Commons Fine Arts and Crafts Festival brings an eclectic mix to Kettering’s scenic Lincoln Park Civic Commons. Located near Dayton, the festival features more than 100 artists, live music and interactive family activities. fraze.com

AUG. 26

Roll up to Troy hungry, because Ohio’s largest one-day cycling event is also its sweetest! During the Tour De Donut, your speed is only one part of the winning equation — because each doughnut consumed shaves digits off your final time. Eat up! thetourdedonut.com ohiostateparks.gov

Make a Splash: We love our Great Lake, but Ohio is also home to spectacular inland lakes! Spend a day at Indian Lake State Park in Logan County, where two beaches are just the start to the fun in the sun. Recreational options on the 5,100acre Indian Lake include swimming, kayaking, fishing, water-skiing and tubing. If unlimited-horsepower boating is more your speed, you’ll find a place for that, too.