Various locations

• All-Children's Playground - Anderson Township

• Clippard Park - Colerain Township

• Common Ground -  Mason, Ohio - the Mason Parks & Recreation Foundation is currently raising funds to get this park constructed.

• Dudley Memorial Park - Liberty Township

• Every Child's Playground - Sawyer Point - Downtown Cincinnati - Read more on Family Friendly Cincinnati.

• Mt. Airy Forest - part of the Cincinnati Park District - universally accessible tree house.

• Washington Park - Over-the-Rhine (across from Cincinnati Music Hall).

Various locations

Various locations throughout Cincinnati.  They have so many wonderful parks that I just can't list them all.  Definitely check out their website to find some places to go on some new adventures with your family!  They have five nature centers.

Eden Park is a beautiful park to visit in Cincinnati. Take a walk around Mirror Lake, walk the trails, see all the gorgeous flowers at The Krohn Conservatory and enjoy the Cincinnati Art Museum, Playhouse in the Park and more.​

Various locations

"Cincinnati Nature Center is a non-profit, nature education organization and community of people who enjoy and care about nature. CNC offers something for people of all ages, in all seasons. Our award-winning trails wind through the region’s natural habitats of eastern deciduous forest, fields, streams and ponds. Enjoy a self-guided hike, bird walk, seasonal nature program and much more (admission charged), free for members." (from CNC website).

• Rowe Woods - Milford, Ohio (Home of the Nature PlayScape)

  • Marge & Charles Schott Nature Playscape -

• Long Branch Farms & Trails - Goshen, Ohio

Various locations

The City of Cincinnati Nature Centers

• Avon Woods Nature Center - 4235 Paddock Road

• Caldwell Nature Center - 430 W.N. Bend Road

• California Woods Nature Center - 5400 Kellogg Ave.

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• Trailside Nature Center - Brookline Dr. in Burnet Woods

• LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Center - 5400 Lanius Lane

Various locations

• Blue Ash Nature Park & Amphitheater - This is also another gem that we have.  I love this park.  It has 5 playground areas scattered throughout the wooded park. There are walking trails, picnic shelters and a wonderful outdoor ampitheater. 

• Blue Ash Towne Square - concerts held here. 

• Summit Park - Includes an enclosed dog park, large green space, playground, paved paths, and more. Farmers' Markets, exercise classes and other programs offered throughout the year. Venue for large outdoor festivals too (Taste of Blue Ash, July 4th celebration, etc.).  4335 Glendale-Milford Road Blue Ash, Ohio 45242 (corner of Glendale-Milford and Plainfield Roads).

• Visit Blue Ash Events to see upcoming events, concerts and festivals in Blue Ash. 

6249 Mason-Montgomery Rd., Mason, Ohio 45040

In the summer, you can swim at Lou Eves Municipal Pool but if you just want to enjoy the playground, they have a great one here.  It's got one of those spider web climbing systems with slides and a mini rock formation.  There isn't a restroom close to this, so make sure your kids go before you get there. Located off of Mason-Montgomery Rd. (behind the Mason High School). ​There are also paved paths, soccer fields, lighted baseball fields and a picnic shelter. 

4601 US 42 North, Mason, Ohio 45040

Heritage Oak Park is always hopping with sporting events.  In addition to having tennis courts, a track that goes around the park, basketball courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields & picnic shelters, they also have two playgrounds. The larger playground has restroom facilities as well as a nice picnic area. They also have those large misting spray umbrellas if it gets a bit hot. 

3400 Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Rd., Mason, Ohio 45040

Mason Sports Park is for baseball lovers and is filled plenty of ballfields.  They also have football fields, a 9-hole disc golf course, picnic shelters and, of course, a pretty cool playground. There is a covered picnic shelter right next to it so you can sit & read a book while your kids play and you are close enough to feel very safe & secure.

211 Kings Mills Rd., Mason, Ohio 45040

Pine Hill Lakes Park is my favorite park in Mason.  It's like a mini oasis in the city. They have nature trails, fishing (get a license at the Mason Community Center), ducks in the lake, picnic shelters and, of course, an awesome playground with swings.  They also have a fun water feature that is great on those hot summer days.

5487 Irwin-Simpson Rd., Mason, Ohio 45040

Cottell Park is a gem. Deerfield Township has worked hard to install playgrounds and improve the park.   It  also has a bike/walking path, soccer fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball and baseball fields.  There is a small pond too. The Snyder House is also home to The Arts Alliance and can be rented. 

3834 Mason Montgomery Rd., Deerfield Twp, OH 45040

Fleckenstein has a great playground.  What it lacks in trees, it makes up in fun plus they do have a covered shelter near the playground. There's also ball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, and picnic areas (shelter areas are first come/first serve). It is also home to the areas first quilt barn, "Fleckenstein Flower".

4686 Old Irwin Simpson Rd., Deerfield Twp, Ohio 45040

This is one of Deerfield's smaller parks but I find it charming. It has wonderful trees to keep you shaded and a nice small playground - perfect for a day where you just want to sit and relax while knowing that your kids are playing and having fun. The playground is set far back from the road which is great for safety. This is also home to one of our local dog parks so if your canine friends need some R&R, take them along.

Various locations

I don't know if there is another part of the country that can compete with the Great Parks of Hamilton County.  They have so much to offer - we haven't even come close to utilizing all that they have and boy is it a bargain.  You just have to pay $10.00 for an annual pass and it gets you into any of the parks.  I will touch base on some of our favorite places but please visit GreatParks.org for even more fun things to do. 

10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215

Highfield Discovery Garden is a little piece of wonderment that is so adorable. Kids love it..  Located on the grounds of Glenwood Gardens which has a really nice walking trail and beautiful grounds and flowers  This is where nature and fun intersect. They have a kid friendly tree house called the Discovery Tree in the middle of the park where they can climb and explore.They also have the most adorable little gardens dispersed throughout. One note, there is a working water spout that the kids love to pump and fill their buckets. They can then water the plants on the grounds - of course, with water you may get wet so bring a towel and an extra set of clothes just in case. There is an admission fee to enter Highfield Discovery Garden. 

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• Cotswold Visitor Center - A wonderful nature center with nature programs as well as hands on things for kids to do - puzzles, puppets, games, etc. 

• Tip: Since they won't allow you to bring food into the Discovery Garden, we will usually pack our lunch and eat outside the garden. They have this wonderful tree area with big rocks where you can sit and have a nice picnic lunch. 

Glenwood Gardens has beautiful nature trails to enjoy. Pack a picnic lunch and eat on the grounds. FREE to enjoy. 

11450 Leabnon Rd., Sharonville, Ohio 45241

This is truly a wonderful park.  It has revamped playground near the lake with a cool water feature during the summer months.  You can rent pedal boats, row boats, & canoes when the boathouse opens at the end of March. There is a gorgeous hike/bike trail that surrounds the lake as you walk through the woods. On the other side of the park, there's another playground that is next to the nature center.  There are swings, picnic areas and of course, plenty of trails to walk on. You can also head into Sharon Center and check out the FREE nature center. They also have an indoor play area, Adventure Station, that kids love ($3/child).

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If you're a history lover, then be sure to visit Heritage Village Museum located inside Sharon Woods. There is a separate fee to see this historic 1800's town. 

10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231

Winton Woods is well worth the drive if you decide to hop onto I-275. It has so much to offer. Beautiful lake, nature trails for hiking and more.

• Parky's Farm - This is an actual farm with live animals that you can see up close and personal. They just built a brand new playground and they also have an indoor play barn area (small fee) that is a lot of fun with tunnels, slides and plenty of places to run and hide. 

• Winton Woods Harbor - here you can rent pedal boats and row boats, get bait & tackle to fish and just enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake. When the warm weather hits, the kids will want to go to Parky's Ark (small fee) for some wet playground fun. There's also a dry playground adjacent to the wet one so there is something for everyone - the dry playground is FREE.

8250 Old Kellogg Road, 45255

Another beauty. In the summer, we've enjoyed going to Breezy Point (small admission fee) which is a wet playground and it has amazing views of the Ohio River and KY.  The nature center, Seasongood Nature Center, is right next door. We also enjoyed the dry playground. 

Various locations

Butler County also has a nice park system.   A valid motor vehicle permit is needed to enter the parks but for only $10/year you can visit them all and you can transfer the hang tags form car to car. Here's some of the parks mainted by Butler County (looks like we need to get busy to visit some of these):

• Bunker Hill Pioneer Cemetery

• Chrisholm Historic Farmstead

• Dudley Woods

• Forest Run Wildlife Preserve

• Governor Bebb Preserve

• Indian Creek Pioneer Church & Burial Ground

• Indian Cree Preserve

• Pater Park Wildlife Area

• Rentschler Forest Preserve

• Sebald Park

• Voice of America Park

Various locations

We've only been to a few of the Loveland parks but since they are such a close neighbor to Mason, we should visit more often. Downtown Loveland is reminiscent of an old-style Main Street. They have antique shops, restaurants, the Loveland bike trial and more. 

Nisbet Park - Located close to the bike trail in downtown Loveland. This is a great park to visit.  It has a fun playground for the kids, open green space with lots of trees and an amphitheater.

E Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 - (513) 352-6180

If you want to see the Ohio River, this is the perfect place to do it.  You can take a walk through the beautiful park and not even realize that you are in the city.   They have a performance pavilion, concessions, outdoor tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, a big playground, interactive wet water features, and many other attractions.  You can even rent those four people bikes.

W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Located along the Cincinnati River in The Banks area, the main park features a large open green space with a stage. There is also a wet sparyground located near the park and if you walk down to the river, you can enjoy another wet sprayground. Also take a moment to sit in the 2 and 3 seater swings and enjoy the views of the Ohio River and Kentucky.  Visit Carol Ann's Carousel or enjoy the beautiful playscape and playground activities. 

11600 North Lebanon Rd., 45140

A park with plenty to do from "three picnic shelters, playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, a soccer/softball field, scenic walking trails, to an exercise loop, a dog run* (in season) and a bird sanctuary". They have two shelters that can be reserved for a fee. 

11601 N Lebanon Rd. , 45140

Wow - this park is amazing and hidden far back from the road that you may not realize it is there. It is a lovely park surrounded by full grown trees. The park includes a playground, and wet sprayground. There is also a Veteran's Memorial tribute.  The shelter can also be reserved for a fee. 

9131 Hopewell Rd., 45249

This was a rare find for a park/playground.  I just love it.  It is the perfect size and is wonderfully maintained.  There are two playgrounds adjacent to each other - one caters more to the toddler set. They have a small walking/bike path that surrounds the park as well as a nice picnic shelter.  My kids loved spinning on the tire.

11680 Seven Gables Rd., 45249

They have a playground,  swings and a nice picnic shelter with clean restrooms.  There is a small bike/walking path that surrounds the park.  It is very well maintained and we really enjoy going there. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy.

Various Locations

The Warren County Park District has many parks you can visit. 

• Bowman Park

• Carmody Park

• Clint Fultz River Park

• Gulley Park and Trails (18 hole Frisbee golf)

• Hatton Lukens Park

• Hisey Park

• Ivins Memorial Park

• Kesling Park

• Landen-Deerfield Park

• Mathers Mill Nature Preserve

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1223 N. Ohio 741, Lebanon, Ohio 45036

This park is now under management of the Warren County Park District. Free to the public but there are additional charges for golf and boat rental. There's a fishing lake and renovated picnic facilities on site. You can rent pedal boats and kayaks too. 

2258 W. St. Rt. 22/3 Maineville, Ohio 45039

Landen-Deerfield Park - We've enjoyed movies in the park at LDP.  Here's a brief overview from Warren County Park Dsitrict:  "The Landen Deerfield Park conserves 95 acres of open space for public use for recreation, offering soccer, baseball, softball and football fields, tennis, basketball and sand volleyball courts, natural area, hiking trials, mountain bike trails, fishing, shelters, restrooms, concession stand, picnic tables and grills." Stop by Whippity-Do for an ice cream treat after visiting the park. 

1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45210

Opened in 2012,  Washington Park is located across from the historic Cincinnati Music Hall. This park is wonderful.  If you are a visitor to Cincinnati, make this one of the stops.  The park is beautiful with large lush trees, wonderful green space, an accessible playground, interactive water features that the kids will love (bring towels), a gazebo in the center of the stage, a dog park and more. 

Various locations

West Chester has some beautiful parks to visit. 

• Beckett Park 

• Keehner Park 

• Square @ Union Centre

• Upper Mill Creek Conservation Corridor Port Union Historic Canal Trail

• Voice of America Park and Ronald Regan Lodge (see listing in MetroParks section)

7211 Barrett Rd., West Chester, Ohio 45069

You've got to love Keehner park for its charm.  It's located near some nice woodland trails and Mill Creek. It has a playground but what is really nice about Keehner is that they have an outdoor amphitheater where they'll have spring and summer concerts that are usually FREE to the public.  7211 Barrett Rd.