Parks and Recreation

Like most people north of the Mason-Dixon Line, I find myself shedding winter’s cumbersome layers and heading outside coatless as soon as the temperature creeps above 50. It’s not the smartest move, but each year I can’t help it. When you live in a place where the seasons are controlled by a temperamental lake, the sun is something you don’t take for granted.

I noticed the same phenomenon when I attended Syracuse University. As we all know, the first burst of warm weather usually doesn’t last, but that doesn’t stop us from trying to coax it out of hiding. Hence the tank tops and flip-flops during weather that, if experienced in June, would cause most people to shiver into sweatshirts.

However, by April, spring is evident more often than not in most parts of Ohio. Before it gets really hot, I like to picnic in parks and walk my dog in recently thawed areas, like the Rocky River Reservation, a part of the Cleveland Metroparks system known as the “emerald necklace” because of the 16 reservations that circle Cleveland.

Here are a few other “emerald” escapes around the state. And for a detailed look at Cincinnati’s park system, pick up the May issue of Ohio Magazine.

Central Ohio Park System: metroparks.net

Five Rivers MetroParks (Dayton area): metroparks.org

Hocking Hills State Park: hockinghillspark.com

Metroparks of Toledo: metroparkstoledo.com

Summit County MetroParks: summitmetroparks.org

The parks are constantly updating activities, especially throughout the summer. Check the sites often for hiking, biking, camping and recreational options.

What’s your favorite Ohio park or outdoor activity? Let me know and I might check it out for a future blog post.