Take a relaxing bike tour of Columbus and outlying areas on the Central Ohio Greenway Trail System . Through the trails, you can connect downtown with some of the beautiful parks and nature preserves throughout Columbus. The Columbus Whetstone Park of Roses is a unique 13-acre garden setting within a park featuring over 11,000 rose bushes and specialized gardens, including Herb and Perennials. It is one of the largest municipal rose gardens in the country. If flowers peak your interest, plan a stop at the Franklin Park Conservatory . The 83,000-square-foot park and conservatory sits within historic Franklin Park.
Central Ohio Greenway Trail System
The Central Ohio Greenways is an extensive series of trails that wind through picnic areas, boating and fishing facilities; and family-friendly parks. The trails create a unique experience by joining the natural wonders of our scenic rivers with the diverse neighborhoods and attractions of the city. Whether you are a biking enthusiast or an avid nature lover who prefers to walk in the park, the trails are divided into sections that will appeal to your personal taste. One of the key benefits of the trails is their convenient location near many day-to-day destinations such as shopping and recreation centers. If you're going, why not take the trail and "go green"? So pack a lunch, grab the dog or strap on rollerblades and head to the path that is sure to inspire you with the natural beauty that is central Ohio.
DARBY CREEK TRAIL
This trail runs on the west side of Big Darby Creek, a State and National Scenic River. The trail extends across the Creek and connects with Darby Bend Lake.
Length: 8.0 miles
Type: crushed Gravel
HERITAGE TRAIL
Follows an old abandoned rail line and extends from Main Street in Hilliard to Cemetery Pike near Plain City. On the western end of the trail is a 3.3 mile section operated by Metro Parks made especially to accommodate horses.
Length: 6.0 miles
Type: Paved Surface
Scioto Trail
This greenway trail stretches through the heart of downtown Columbus following along the Scioto River. This trail is great for commuting into downtown Columbus.
Length: 9.0 miles
Type: Paved Surface
Olentangy Trail
This scenic trail weaves users throughout the Olentangy greenway corridor, connecting the communities of Worthington, Columbus and OSU. It runs between Worthington Hills Park and Confluence Park in Downtown Columbus.
Length: 18.0 miles
Type: Paved Surface
Ohio To Erie Trail
More information on this trail which will eventually span between Cincinnati to Cleveland can be found at www.ohiotoerietrail.org .
Length: 9.5 miles (from Galena, Ohio to Westerville, Ohio)
Type: Paved Surface
Big Walnut Trail
Currently, the longest section of this trail connects Hoover Reservoir to Inniswoods Metro Gardens.
Length: 6.0 miles
Type: Paved Surface
Alum Creek Trail
This trail connects the communities of Westerville, Columbus, and Bexley along Alum Creek. The southern end of the trail reaches the preserved natural areas of Three Creeks Park.
Length: 29.0 miles
Type: Paved Surface
Blacklick Trail
This scenic trail weaves users throughout the Blacklick Creek greenway corridor. Users of this trail can travel to three different Metro Parks: Pickerington Ponds, Blacklick Woods and Three Creeks Metro Parks.
Length: 15.0 miles
Type: Paved Surface
i-670 Trail
The bike trail travels from Fort Hayes, east along I-670, following Leonard Ave., crossing Nelson and Fifth Avenues, terminating at Airport Drive, near Ohio Dominican College . It connects to the Alum Creek trail at Nelson Road.
Length: 4.0 miles
Type: Paved Surface
The Columbus Whetstone Park of Roses
The 13 acre Park of Roses is nestled within the larger Whetstone Park. It contains three
unique rose gardens as well as herb and perennial gardens, annual display beds and
a restored Ohio prairie. Wide, smooth walkways and numerous benches make it easy
to enjoy the sights and smells of 11,500 rosesof more than 400 varieties. There is something for every rose lover here, from tiny miniatures to exuberant climbers covering overhead arbors.
The three rose gardens here represent the evolution of rose species and hybrids,
as well as the past, present and future of rose gardening. People's changing tastes in varieties, colors and cultivation practices can be traced from wild species roses known
since antiquity through the 21st century concept of Earth-Kind roses which thrive on
minimal care.
Columbus Park of Roses is maintained by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, with help and support from the Rose Foundation and the Volunteers.
It is free to all visitors, accessible to strollers and wheelchairs and open from dawn
to dusk year around. Enjoy your visit!
Main Garden
The Main Garden is an Italianate formal design with roses grouped into symmetrical
beds and surrounding a large water fountain. Thick grass lawns divide the sections.
Most of the roses here are hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras and shrub roses. The
full effect of all these “modern” roses blooming at once can best be seen from atop the
iron observation tower at the north end of the garden.
Heritage Garden
Proceeding past two stone pillars, visitors find themselves in the Heritage Garden,
which showcases “old roses.” This is the place to see centifolias, gallicas, damasks and rugosas as well as species roses. Many of these roses bloom only once a year, but were used by hybridizers to create “modern roses” which bloom repeatedly throughout the
growing season.
Earth-Kind Garden
This is the first public Earth-Kind Rose Demonstration garden outside of the deep South, where the program was developed at Texas A & M University in 2001. Commercially available roses were tested to select varieties requiring no pesticides, fertilizers,
dead-heading or pruning. Phase One of the garden was planted in 2007, with Phase Two
completed in time for the 2009 season. This garden design, with an informal layout and
under planting of shrubs is well suited to contemporary home gardens.
Franklin Park Conservatory And Botanical Gardens
Built in 1895, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a botanical landmark two miles east of downtown Columbus. It is a premier horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and a signature collection of work by glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Set within the 88 acres of Franklin Park, the Conservatory houses 400 species of plants from a variety of global climate zones and features a Victorian Palm House with more than 40 species of palms. It is surrounded by botanical gardens and floral displays.
Annual exhibitions include The Orchid Forest, Blooms and Butterflies, and Holidays at the Conservatory. The Conservatory has developed a program of world-class exhibitions by national and international artists.
In addition to a wide range of educational classes and workshops for school groups, families, and individuals, Franklin Park Conservatory also provides a valuable resource through its Growing to Green program for community gardeners.
With its natural surroundings, both indoors and out, the Conservatory serves as a premier venue for special events and corporate gatherings.
A dynamic and multi-faceted institution, Franklin Park Conservatory is a unique and popular destination for visitors of all ages.
ADMISSION* CONSERVATORY GARDEN CAFÉ GLASSBLOWING HOT SHOP
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HOURS COCKTAILS AT THE CONSERVATORY BOTANICA GIFT SHOP & GREENHOUSE |
Metro Parks
Millions of people go to a Columbus-area Metro Park each year -- more than six million in 2008. It's not hard to understand why. Central Ohio's 15 parks offer:
- Trails for walking, jogging, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, pets and inline skating;
- Canoeing and fishing
- Golf and disc golf;
- Programs for all ages, on a wide range of subjects;
- Playgrounds, picnic areas and reservable shelter houses;
- Ice skating and sledding;
- Rangers-guided hikes and nature exploration.
Metro Parks are not Columbus parks. Metro Park funding comes from a Franklin County property tax levy, some state and local government monies, grants and earned income.
Directions
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