We love nature and exploring. These are our favorite natural splash pads. I hope you’ll enjoy them too!
- Creekside Gahanna
101 Mill St. Gahanna
This can easily be a day adventure. Feed the ducks(peas, corn and lettuce are best for their tummies) and go creeking. There are nice paved paths through the woods and natural stones in the shade that are perfect for a picnic, or sit on the rocks by the creek. The business space is fun to walk around and see murals and fountains too.
https://cbus4kids.com/creekside-gahanna-🌿🦆🛶/
2. Shale Hollow Preserve
6320 Artesian Run, Lewis Center
This is the clearest and cleanest water we have played in for a creek. It’s also shaded, pretty and tranquil. There is a fun wobbly bridge and short walking trails for little ones.
https://cbus4kids.com/?s=shale+hollow
3. Highbanks Metro Park
9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center
A natural splash pad with beautiful views. We bought fish nets and our girls were so excited! My oldest daughter enjoyed the ‘rainbow rocks’, and my youngest just enjoyed the calm water to splash in.
How to get there?
Drive to the Big Meadows Picnic Area and walk straight across the open field from the restrooms, enter the path in the woods past the natural play area. Once you get to the path intersection, turn left. Continue walking until the creek becomes rocky and more shallow, you’ll know when you get there.
https://cbus4kids.com/creeking-and-natural-play-area-highbanks-metro-park/
4. Sycamore Creek Park-Pickerington
Walk across the covered bridge and walk down to the creeking area. There is also an arboretum that is a nice stroll and great place for a picnic blanket.
https://cbus4kids.com/sycamore-creek-park-🌳/
4. Rose Run Park-New Albany
E Dublin Granville Rd.
Natural playground, pretty flowers and a small creek.
5. Glen Echo Park
510 Cliffside Dr. Columbus
Art and echo tunnel, hiking trails and creeking in a pretty spot.
6. Indian Run Falls
700 Shawan Falls Drive, Dublin
This is a picture at the top of the falls, but there is a calmer space below to get your feet wet. And who doesn’t want to see a waterfall?
7. Coffman Park
5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin
They have a great toddler park too. This little stream is fun.
https://cbus4kids.com/?s=coffman
8. Gantz Park
2255 Home Rd. Grove City
A little creek, but enough to have some fun.
9. Ruffner Park
183 Harrison St. Galena
A great creek with an old school playground.
10. Spring Valley Nature Preserve
1539 Columbus Rd. SW, Granville
Hiking and creeking, and throw in a picnic and a perfect day trip.
11. Whitehall Community Park
402 N Hamilton Rd. Whitehall
An awesome playground, meadow and a creek. Yes please!
12. Edward S. Thompson State Nature Preserve
@ Sharon Woods Metro Park
1069 W Main St. Westerville
A little creeking under a bridge, nice wide walking paths for a hike with kids, and a meadow.
13. Friendship Park
150 Oklahoma Ave. Gahanna
Storybook trail, fun playground and creeking
14. Kiwanis Dublin Riverway Park
6245 Riverside Dr. Dublin
A boardwalk trail and a rocky riverbed to creek in.
15. Rock Mill Park
1429 Rockmill Rd. NW
A road trip!
A great educational experience about mills along with a great waterfall and view. A covered bridge to walk on, and picnic area for a sweet treat(get some from the Happy Goat before you drive there or donuts from Gypsy Joe’s Ice Cream).
Dip your toes in a calm creek.
