Ohio has a wide variety of unique public spaces that offer more than the typical park. These places combine the ideals of providing public recreational spaces, environmental responsibility and aesthetics. They provide people a place to unwind, learn more about the world around them, and simply have fun. Here are a few of them.

Ariel Foundation Park is a stunning 250-acre example of adaptive reuse, created on the former site of a glass-making factory near downtown Mount Vernon. It offers architectural ruins, lakes, observation tower, walking trails, steel sculptures, a museum, and connections to both the Kokosing Gap Trail and the Heart of Ohio Trail.

Aullwood Audubon Park is a complex of Aullwood Nature Center, Aullwood Nature Sanctuary and Aullwood Farm, encompassing 200 acres with eight miles of walking trails. An outdoor exhibit, “The Troll That Hatched An Egg,” by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, consists of four installations that tell a story. 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton (937) 890-7360.

Blacklick Woods Metro Park is one of central Ohio’s most-visited parks, and it’s just gotten even more popular with a unique Canopy Walk. The walkway rises 40 feet into the air and loops for 1/8 mile into the canopy of trees. An elevator provides easy access, making it ADA accessible. The boardwalk is also accessible via steps. 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg.

Columbus Park of Roses is one of the largest public rose gardens in the U.S. with more than 12,000 rose specimens. The garden’s extensive variety of plantings and more than one mile of paved walkways with benches make the park a setting with year-round appeal for visitors. The 13-acre garden is an accredited arboretum and features a formal rose garden, Heritage Rose Garden, herb and backyard gardens and arboretum. Located within Whetstone Park at 3901 N. High St., Columbus.

Cox Arboretum MetroPark is a place to enter and connect with nature, and to view, discover and rest in the serenity and majesty of trees and shrubs. The Five Rivers MetroPark at 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, features several types of specialized gardens, meadows, woodlands, trails and spaces.

The Dawes Arboretum was established in 1929 by Beman Dawes and his wife, Bertie on a farm Beman had owned since 1918. Today, the arboretum’s collections include over 5,300 different types of plants with more than 15,400 individual specimens on nearly 2,000 acres. Located at 7770 Jacksontown Road near Newark. Admission fee is charged.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens showpiece is its 1895 John F. Wolfe Palm House.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is Central Ohio’s premier botanical garden and home to the iconic 1895 John F. Wolfe Palm House. The conservatory includes unique zoned indoor climates with thousands of plants. Features outside the conservatory include interactive natural children’s play areas including a wading creek, tree house and more. Located at 1777 E. Broad St., approximately two miles from downtown Columbus. Admission fee charged for most features.

The Gardens at Hippley Village is a privately-owned 3-acre space with eight garden areas and eight water features. The gardens, operated by a non-profit organization, are available for weddings, parties and receptions. Visits to the gardens are by reservation only, call (330) 301-5044 for an appointment. The gardens are located on Stanton Avenue in Columbiana.

Inniswood Metro Gardens, situated on 123 acres, is a continual source of inspiration for people of all ages. A natural woodland is home to native wildflowers, wildlife and waterways which provides a majestic backdrop to the beautifully landscaped gardens and lawns. The Franklin County Metro Park has more than 2,000 species of plants, specialty collections and themed gardens, including a children’s garden and rose, herb, conifer and woodland rock gardens. Located at 940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville.

Kingwood Center Gardens, 50 N. Trimble Road, Mansfield, is renowned for its distinctive floral displays, unique plant specimens, woodland trails, historic mansion and gardens, display greenhouse, duck pond and peacocks. Admission fee is charged.

Mission Oaks Gardens is a unique estate-like residential parkland operated by the Muskingum Valley Parks District. The park at 424 Hunter Ave., Zanesville, includes a conifer grove, perennial garden, woodland garden, children’s garden, fairyland garden and more.

Richland Carousel Park has the first new, hand-carved carousel to be built in the U.S. since the 1930s. Open since 1991 in downtown Mansfield, the park features a spectacular indoor carousel, along with gift shop, food concessions and outdoor gardens. The colorful, hard-carved carousel figures were made in Mansfield and are modeled after classic works of the early 20th century; the carousel’s organ was made in Ohio. 75 N. Main St., (419) 522-4223.

Schopfle Garden – A Lorain County Metropark, Schopfle Garden is composed of 77 acres of botanical gardens and natural woodland bordered on one side by the Vermilion River. The garden features collections of rhododendrons, roses, cannas, hostas, shade plants, and a variety of shrubs, topiaries and trees. The park, located at 11106 Market St., Wakeman, includes trails, a visitor center, carousel, playground and children’s center.

Secrest Arboretum – Secrest Arboretum is a 110-acre botanical garden that is part of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Secrest’s documented plant collection features over 3,500 different types of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials, exhibiting the diverse range of plants suitable for outdoor cultivation in Northeast Ohio. Free, open daylight hours all year long. 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster (330) 263-3761. 

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is the historic 1898 estate and grounds of the founder of the Goodyear Rubber Co. in Akron. Features include the historic 65-room Tudor Revival Manor House, Gate Lodge (birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous), historic gardens and the Corbin Conservatory. Located at 714 N. Portage Path, Akron.

Tuscora Park is a unique city park in New Philadelphia that features an amusement park for children.

Tuscora Park is a recreational city park with three pools, year-round picnic pavilion and outdoor shelters, vintage amusement rides for kids, miniature golf and more. The park is surrounded by beautiful green hillsides and shade trees. Located at 161 N. Tuscora Ave., New Philadelphia.

Wahkeena Nature Preserve near Sugar Grove can best be described as a living museum, showcasing the rich natural diversity of the Hocking Hills region. With a focus on education, the site features a nature center with seasonal displays, self-guided interpretive trails, natural history programs and historical signage. Wahkeena offers 12 species of native orchids, 33 species of ferns and numerous and diverse species of wildflowers through all seasons. Many varieties of birds, insects and mammals can also be viewed. Wahkeena is located at 2200 Pump Station Road, Sugar Grove (800) 297-1883.

Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark includes a unique Children’s Discovery Garden and much more.

Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark includes a Children’s Discovery Garden, Marie Aull Nature Trail and the Swamp Forest Boardwalk. You can also immerse yourself in the botanical richness of the Stillwater River Corridor. The Five Rivers MetroPark is located at 1301 Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton.

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