In-Town Tourist: Three Creeks Metro Park
Three Creeks Metro Park Visitor Information and Map
Three Creeks Metro Park is an easy afternoon escape in the warmer months. Less than thirty miles from my home, north of Columbus, it offers thirteen miles of paved trails, fishing ponds and streams, and an assortment of sports fields and playgrounds.
Named for its idyllic setting amidst the confluence of three major streams, Three Creeks includes sections of two Franklin County Greenways trails -an interconnected recreational trail system being built along seven major waterways. I often ride the northern section of Three Creeks’ longest trail. Someday, I’ll be able to leave the truck at home and pedal all the way down. And back… I’m hoping they connect it all before my knees begin to notice the distance!
Riding the Alum Creek and Blacklick Creek Greenway Trails back and forth in the park will give a cyclist an easy 22 miles. Loops such as the ones circling Heron Pond and Sycamore Fields add another couple of miles and some great people-watching moments. There are water crossings, shady wooded sections and wide open expanses of prairie fields that are great for speed and building up a good muscle burn.
Picnicking possibilities are abundant; we often choose a grassy patch by Turtle Pond in the Confluence Trails area. My kids have passed through the playground stage, but there is a great climbing structure nearby.
I’ve arrived in the parking lot with as many as four bikes and as few as one, and it’s always a good ride.
Three Creeks Metro Park Visitor Information and Map
Three Creeks Metro Park (Columbus, Ohio)
Miles and miles of hiking, biking and waterways at the confluence of Alum, Blacklick and Big Walnut Creeks
13+ paved trail miles, fishing, hiking, picnicking, playgrounds and sports fields
“Yes” for pets (permitted on many trails)
Address: 3860 Bixby Rd; Groveport, Ohio 43215
Phone: 614-645-3300 (Columbus Recreation and Parks Office)
Park Website
Directions: From I-270, take US 33 east to the South Hamilton Road exit. Travel right approximately one mile to Bixby Road. Turn right. Entrance is about 1 mile ahead on the right.
A bike ride? I’d fall right off!
Heather, it’s a pleasure read it…i’m tripping just reading it…wonderful places…
Jean-Luc: Hardly! But the trails are great for walking too…
Francesco: Thank you! Ohio is absolutely buried in snow presently (and big fluffy flakes continue to fall outside my office window); it’s a completely different sort of “beautiful” here today than pictured above.
Looks rather idyllic.
Yikes, on the snow. Do I hear you may get more snow next week? Let’s keep the warm thoughts coming. This looks like a nice ride or walk. I like your shadow photo. Very creative!
Mark H: It’s a sweet mini-retreat just a few miles away. Amidst all the “have to”s, it can be very satisfying to just get on my bike and ride for no reason but to enjoy the moments it takes to get down the trail and back again.
Intrepid: Feeling sympathetic? Yes, I heard the rumor on “more next week”. We’ve gotten off relatively easy so far. No power loss, just a few “snow days” for the kids… And it’s truly lovely this morning -the woods out back is sparkling in the sun (yes, sun!!). Still only 4 degrees though…
The photo: I was looking up stream from a bridge when I noticed my shadow below. It was funny to see (and capture) the contortions I apparently do to get the right angle for a good shot!
I can post now, Heather.
WOOT!!!
The travel link is fine. Thanks for enjoying my stories.
Hugs, JJ
I’m glad, JJ! I’ve appreciated all the kind comments at BC.