Let's Get Outside!
Here are some popular places to explore, get exercise, learn from nature and make great seasonal memories. Most areas host sports and classes for all ages through the local parks and recreation websites. Many offer programs that need reservations, so plan ahead!
GROVE CITY
To inquire about all recreational sports and activities, reference the Source Activity Guide at www.grovecityohio.gov/parks-and-recreation
Big Splash Family Aquatics Center at Evans Park
2831 Southwest Blvd., Grove City
(614) 277-1818
This is a city-owned water park that serves the residents of Grove City and Jackson Twp.
Season pass holders and their guests can enjoy swimming, slides, climbing walls & more.
Fryer Park
3899 Orders Rd, Grove City
An educational & recreational destination FREE to everyone in the southwest area. Century Village features a log cabin, one-room schoolhouse, and more; open to the public on the 4th Sat (2-4 pm) Jun-Sep. The park also features a Splash Pad (summer only), all-accessible playground, Rotary Lake fishing (No license required; catch & release required), nature trails, softball fields, sledding hill, and scenic picnic areas.
Gantz Park & Gardens at Gantz Farm
2255 Home Rd, Grove City
Enjoy the rolling terrain, perfect for family gatherings or picnics. Take a walk through The Gardens to appreciate the Arboretum, or cool off your feet in the creek. Playgrounds and fields are great for running and playing. The Barn and Farmhouse are used for educational programming; see the website for details.
Grove City SkatePark
3728 Hoover Road, Grove City
Features an 11,000-square-foot concrete skate park providing areas for the novice skater to the highly skilled including ramps, rails and boxes as well as bowls with sides ranging 3 to 18 feet high.
Henceroth Park
2075 Mallow Lane, Grove City
This park is eco-friendly with a wooded nature trail, solar lighting, and a playground made of recycled materials. Enjoy the rails, butterfly garden and bluebird boxes while also giving tribute to military heroes along the Purple Heart Memorial Walk.
Scioto Grove Metro Park
5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City
A 620-acre park along the Scioto River with mature forests and scenic bluffs overlooking the river with trails, picnic areas, camping, archery, sledding, and disc golf course.
Splash Pad at Fryer Park
3600 Discovery Drive, Grove City
Open most days 11 am - dusk. The bright, colorful interactive water play structures follow Discovery Frontier’s space theme and include a rocket slide and a variety of whimsical spray effects with accessibility for all.
The Park at Beulah
3801 Mystic Way, Grove City
Former location of the historic Beulah horse racing track. Now an urban park, close to downtown Grove City, complete with a playground, pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor shelters, walking trails, and lakeside swings.
Windsor Park
4414 Broadway, Grove City
It's the oldest park in the area which houses numerous baseball diamonds, an all- accessible Mirolo Dream Field, a traditional playground, shelters, pickleball courts and the Mirolo Dream Field Playground equipped for all abilities to play together. This is also the location of the Evans Center, an epicenter of activities for adults 55 and older.
LONDON
Cowling Park
175 N. Main St., London
This park is all-inclusive, so all abilities can enjoy a picnic, fitness course, musical instruments, playground equipment or a walk along the paved path.
Merri-Mac Park
Jenkinson Ave, London
Located south of downtown London, this park houses softball fields, playground equipment, and grassy areas.
SURROUNDING SOUTHWEST AREAS
Ashville Community Park
200 Station St. E, Ashville
Shelter house rentals, baseball field, gazebo stage, pickleball, and basketball reservations. Seasonal events are held for all to enjoy. See website calendar for details.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway
This park has over 7,000 acres of forest, prairies and wetlands.
It stretches along 13 miles of the Big and Little Darby Creeks. Bison roam freely within enclosed pastures near the Nature Center, which features an amazing, child-friendly educational area.
Camp Chase Trail
1915 Galloway Rd, Galloway
Named after the Camp Chase railroad. It runs next to the historic Camp Chase training camp for Union forces during the Civil War. The trail stretches from Madison County to the Scioto Trail, as part of the Ohio to Erie Tail and U.S. Bicycle Route 50.
Freedom Park
5757 Westdale Park Dr., Galloway
Playground, picnics, and lots of running space for kids.
Deer Creek State Park
20635 St Pk Rd 20, Mt. Sterling
This park offers a balance of modern and rustic facilities, marina, fishing, campling, golfing, hiking, and nature programs of every season.
Mason Park
690 Yankeetown St, Mt. Sterling
There is new playground equipment, a basketball court, and a walking track.
Garrett Park
298 Cemetery Rd #240, West Jefferson
Picnic tables, playground, space to run. Seasonal events are held in the park area; check the website for details.
Franklin County- (Columbus, Galloway, Grove City)
Madison County- (London, Mt. Sterling, & West Jefferson)
Pickaway County- (Ashville, Commercial Point, Orient, and South Bloomfield)
Hiking/ Biking Trails - The Ohio to Erie Trail stretches over 300 miles across Ohio, from Cincinnati to Cleveland, using land previously occupied by railroads and canals. Many pass right through Madison County, including London. To learn more: www.fmcpt.com
Ohio Parks & Nature Preserves www.trekohio.com