Trail Tale: Blue Ash Nature Park

Recently we visited the Blue Ash public library since there was a Reference Only book in their holdings that I wanted to see.  Since we were already in the area, I took the opportunity to check out a new trail for the blog (and let the kids use up some energy before heading home).  The Blue Ash Nature Park was the perfect spot.  The trail was long enough to be interesting, but allowed plenty of time for the boys to play on the nearby playgrounds as well.


After parking the car, we found a trail map just off the parking lot.

We started our hike to the right where the trail begins to loop around the outside edge of the park.

In the picture above you can see signs with the usual park guidelines and on the left, one of several small, covered picnic shelters within the park.  After a short jaunt on the paved entry way, we found the trail head, again to the right.  

There was plenty of greenery to greet us on the wide gravel path.  I noticed a vine ground cover planted on the edges of the path, keeping weeds at bay, making for a more relaxing walk since I didn't have to watch so closely for poison ivy!  Soon, we came to a wooden bridge crossing a small stream--always a point of interest for the boys.

Across the bridge, the path changes to mulch and is still nicely maintained.  Next, we find a bench, one of Marshall's favorite things.  He shouts:  "Look, a bench, a bench!" and acts as if we've been walking for hours, when it's only been about 10 minutes.  

From here, we continue right again, even though the boys have spotted one of the playgrounds.  Somehow I coax them to keep hiking with promises to play at the end.  I'm sure I mention a cookie or something like that too.  While we are "discussing" the matter, I notice a pretty painted bird house on a nearby tree.

And at least two more, throughout the park:

If I had known these were around, it would have been a fun scavenger hunt to seek these little works of art during the hike.  


We continued along the trail.

There are a couple of small side paths from the main trail, but one led to an empty space along the main road (Reed Hartman Highway) and another to someone's home.  It is best to stay on the main trail.  At one of these, we paused long enough to find some pretty moss growing at the base of a tree.

The kids took time to touch, smell, and yes, taste this tiny little carpet of green.  I love it when they get a hands-on experience with nature!  It was a patch of coolness on the hot day.  A little more hiking and we finally came upon the PLAYGROUND!!!!!!!!

  
The two play areas below lie on either side of the path.

They share space with a large picnic shelter.

Can you say Birthday Party?  This is the perfect set-up, with restrooms close by.  This and other park shelters can be rented by residents or businesses within the city of Blue Ash only.  However, I'll bet anyone can use them if they are not reserved, especially during the week.  Contact the city's parks department to be sure.


On this day, only a couple other people were around, so the boys had the place  mostly to themselves...unless you count the cool green dinosaur hanging out by the play set:

If you continue past the playgrounds shown, you will come to the park's amphitheater.  It is here that free concerts in the park are held as well as other special, family friendly performances.

We continued our walk in the other direction, toward the restrooms and water fountains.  We located another reservable shelter:

and another, smaller playground where Miles practiced his climbing skills:

This is actually the area the boys spotted as we began our hike.  There are a couple small covered picnic shelters here, perfect for someone on a lunch break from work or a small, casual gathering.  


After playing, we completed the loop and found ourselves back in the parking lot.  We ventured down the other trail head a short way just to cross a bridge and view a water feature:

This is a man made structure that is possibly used to control water runoff from the recreation center and other buildings just beyond it.  That didn't stop M&M from tossing stones into the water.

If we had continued down this trail, it would have led to another shelter, play area and the amphitheater.  But, it was time to go!  The heat, the time, and our rumbling bellies said so.  Next time I'm in the Blue Ash area, I'll be sure to pack a picnic and visit this park again.  But maybe I'll follow in the footsteps of the other Mom I saw while visiting and bring a book to read while the kids play!

Fast Facts: Blue Ash Nature Park

4433 Cooper Road

Blue Ash, OH  45242
http://www.blueash.com/content/87/195/311/default.aspx#nature park



View Larger Map

Kids Will Like

• Multiple Play Areas
• Easy Hike
• Picnics

Good to Know

• Free Admission
• Paved Parking Lot
• Restroom Rating: B
• Water Fountain at Restroom
• Multiple Picnic Shelters--May be Reserved by Residents or Businesses of Blue Ash
• Amphitheater on Site with Free Summer Concerts

Synopsis
This is a great little weekday loop hike if you are in the area.  Shelters can be reserved by Blue Ash residents or businesses, so summer weekends may be too crowded for the first time visitor.  There are at least three playgrounds on-site and some small picnic shelters that make this a perfect spot for a lunchtime outing.  Free weekly concerts are held on summer evenings at the amphitheater in the park.    


Links
Concerts in the Park
Trail Map

Fast Facts: Rheinstrom Park

8105 Graves Road

Cincinnati, OH  45243

http://www.ci.indian-hill.oh.us/departments/public-works-parks.htm

View Larger Map

Kids Will Like

• Easy Paved Path
• Meeting Neighborhood Dogs
• Looking for Deer Tracks in the Dirt
• Beautiful Scenery
• Plenty of Benches for Resting

Good to Know

• Paved Parking Lot
• No Fees
• Water Bowls Available for Dogs
• No Water Fountains for Humans
• No Restrooms
• Stroller Friendly

Synopsis
This Indian Hill estate, turned nature preserve, is a nice little loop hike for kids of all ages.  The paved path, which is just under a mile long, makes it a clean and easy walk  There are some beautiful large trees on the property and some open spaces as well.  It's also a good place to get a quick work-out with your stroller.  Little evidence of the former estate and farm exists, but knowing it was a homestead at one time adds a special ambiance to the place.  


Links
James Rheinstrom

Trail Tale: Rheinstrom Park

Sunshine!  Finally, a sunny day!  One day I took a drive around nearby Indian Hill to get the kids out of the house on a drizzly day and we came across this little nature preserve, Rheinstrom Park.  Today, I headed back with my camera because I thought it was a perfect little hike to highlight on Two Tykes.

The land for this park was donated by a long-time resident of Indian Hill, James Rheinstrom.  For more information about the origin of the park, check out the Indian Hill Historical Society page about Mr. Rheinstrom by clicking HERE.  

It's easy to miss the driveway for this park as you drive along Graves Road in Indian Hill.  Look for the short wooden poles which line the driveway and paved parking area for a clue (pictured above).  The trail begins directly off the back of the parking lot and crosses a creek. 

The trail begins

Stone Bridge Over Small Creek

Across the bridge, we encounter this sign.  The park contains a Blue Bird trail and the sign explains how to go about creating one yourself.  

And just ahead, we come to an intersection and choose to turn right.  From here the path makes one large loop around the property and ends at this same intersection.  If you go straight, you can also easily hop onto the loop about halfway through.  If you have a thirsty pet, you may find some water bowls and jugs awaiting their arrival as we did on our first visit--no water for humans though, so bring your own.

Soon into the walk, we are transported into a wild green scene.

As we round a bend, we are greeted by a grove of some enormous pine trees on the right.  Pictured below is probably only a fifth of the tree's actual height.  Just beyond the pines is someone's home, so we know we're not totally in a wild forest.

And then we see evidence of the old estate. The house and barn that used to occupy this land were removed years ago.  This gate and fence seem to be relics from the past, though I'm not sure if they were original or added at a later date.

After wandering through the dappled shade, we hit a sunny, grassy patch with some nice big trees filling up the view of the sky. There are several beautiful giants throughout the park.  [To see more photos of the trees, check my Flickr album].

Next, we walk into the dappled shade beside some newer trees.  

The ground beside the path is a little wetter in this area and Miles squeals with delight: "another puddle, Mom!" Gosh, he's a cutie!  We see a bunch of puddles which contain piles of broken twigs placed there for some reason--possibly to keep dogs from getting too wet.  There are quite a few very excited, off-leash dogs along our way.  All are friendly and seem to know their way around. 

We also find several benches on the path.  Each one sits in between two ornamental trees and look into the interior of the park.  It is an interesting juxtaposition, to see the native landscape rising up just beyond the formal sitting area.  Depending on where you place your eyes, you could be in a wild area or on someone's old estate.  It's a good place for letting the imagination roam.

And a good place for deer to roam as well!  Marshall finally spots these deer tracks in the mud after looking and looking and mistaking thousands of dog prints for deer.   

We are a little more than halfway down the path when we come to the section I mentioned earlier where you can find water bowls for dogs near the fork.  We see some dogs taking advantage of this added feature, maintained by community members, I assume.  From our spot, you'd have to cross a grassy patch to hit this part of the trail.  You could also shorten the hike by taking this path back to the main intersection.  If you have a stroller, this might be a good plan because the path ahead dips down and then climbs back up a fairly steep hill.  If you want to get your heart beating, though--continue on!

The boys decide to run ahead to the top of the hill.  This is after Marshall tripped on his sandal and stubbed his toe while trying to run down the hill.  
I'll spare you the photo of his distress.

You can check out this piece of natural sculpture as you finish the hike.  Cool.

And here we go to the end.  We turn right to head back to the parking lot.

At the edge of the lot, I snap one more photo of this idyllic scene with a rustic wooden bench crossing the creek in the distance.  

The whole trail was not quite a mile in length.  The paved path was very well maintained: smooth and without obstructions.  I appreciate the opportunity to roam a bit of the natural area in Indian Hill without feeling like I may be trespassing on someone's property.  The homes in this neighborhood are breathtaking.  The natural beauty that surrounds must be their inspiration.

Fast Facts: Withrow Nature Preserve

7075 Five Mile Road

Cincinnati, OH  45230

http://www.greatparks.org/parks/withrownaturepreserve.shtm


View Larger Map


Kids Will Like

• Hiking the Trails
• Climbing on Fallen Trees
• Tossing Pebbles into Small Streams
• Benches and Overlooks for Resting
• Viewing Wildflowers in Spring
• Spotting Deer Tracks

Good to Know

• Hamilton County Vehicle Permit Required
• Large Parking Lot
• Restroom Rating:  Portable Toilets Available in Parking Lot
• No Water Fountain
• No Picnic Facilities--Nature Study Only
• Stroller Friendly: Old Farm Loop 
• Not Stroller Friendly:  Hepatica Loop
• Large Wooden Staircases with Handrails on Hepatica Loop

Synopsis
Because Withrow is a Nature Preserve, the main activity here is the hiking and the chance to view wildflowers, wildlife, streams, and the Ohio River at an overlook point.  The Trout Lily Trail, with its different hiking loops offers both woods and open meadows to experience.  It proved to be just a bit too long for my boys to handle all the loops in one day, but I could have easily skipped a portion of the Old Farm Loop by taking one of the access trails to the parking lot.  The trails were empty in the morning, but toward the end of our hike, there were plenty of people walking, running, or following their dogs down the trails.  Be aware that wedding ceremonies are held at this park May through October.


More Information
The Nature Conservancy    

City Beat Article

Trail Tale: Withrow Nature Preserve, Hepatica Hill Loop

On one of the first non-rainy days of early spring--which are few and far between--the boys and I took a little trip to a place I had visited a couple of times a few years ago and always wanted to return, Withrow Nature Preserve in Anderson Township.  This off-the-beaten-path green space is perfect for this blog, which aims to introduce readers to places they may not have heard about before.


The Preserve sits atop a wooded hillside along the Ohio River on the east side of town, near Coney Island.  It is somewhat secluded which is evident as you enter the park.  A long sloping driveway slowly takes you up into the woods and ends in a large paved parking lot.

Just beyond the lot, the Highwood Lodge resides on the grounds of the park.  This building and it's surrounding formal gardens is a popular spot for weddings and receptions.
  

To locate the Hepatica Hill Loop trail, look for a welcome sign and informational sign which also contains a small map just beyond the parking lot and before you reach the house:

The trail will begin on your left. [There are two trails at Withrow, Hepatic Hill Loop, which is covered in this post, and the Old Farm Loop, which will follow in a separate post]. 

The boys wasted no time getting on the trail.  Within just a few feet of our hike, we found some spring wildflowers in bloom and what a welcome sight!

MORE FLOWER PHOTOS, CLICK HERE

I've spent most of our fall and winter hikes looking up with my camera at the stark tree branches pasted against the sky.  Today's spring time hike has me staring and pointing at the ground, saying, "Look boys, another flower!  This one is purple, my favorite color."


Of course, they are hard to convince, especially when there is a stump to climb up ahead!

The trail at this point is rounding the hillside, with the wildflower patch on our right and a ravine with a creek at it's bottom on our right.  Just ahead, a solid wooden stairwell descends toward the creek, making this particular trail unfriendly to strollers, but fine for walkers.

We take time to check out the fallen tree beside the stairs, one of many at the Preserve.  Droughts, high winds, and storms in recent years have sadly taken a toll on many Cincinnati trees.  At the bottom of the steps, the boys take advantage of a bench overlooking the creek:

From here, the trail works it's way back up the hill.  There are still plenty of wildflowers to be found along the way.

Another stairwell:

And another bench:

I love the huge Sycamore tree looming above the deck!

From here, the trail goes behind the Highwood Lodge and passes through the gardens where you can see the setting for outdoor weddings.  Not a bad place for renewing vows either...


This concludes the post about the Hepatica Hill Loop trail.  Since the boys were still in the mood to hike, we went back to the trail head and turned left to head toward the Old Farm Loop--read about it in the next post!