Eden Park!

Eden Park is located just outside of downtown, between Mt. Adams and Walnut Hills.  It has many wonderful amenities and something for everyone.  Let's start with the views.  Eden park has two main magnificent views overlooking the Ohio River and Northern Kentucky.  One is Mirror Lake and the other is by Twin Lakes.  Speaking of lakes, Eden park has two awesome lakes!  Mirror Lake has a mural on the bottom and the Bettman Fountain shooting through the middle.  Twin Lakes was once an old rock quarry, where you can now feed ducks, launch a boat or just sit and enjoy the view. 

Eden Park also offers some super tourist hotspots all in the same place.  You can catch an entertaining play at Playhouse in the Park, stroll through the Cincinnati Art Museum (which is FREE), explore tropical plants and butterflies at the Krohn Conservatory. 

The park also has historical features that have been around since the late 1800's.  Eden Park used to house the Cincinnati Resevoir.  It was 12 acers and held 96 million gallons of water.  The Pumping Station and Water Tower still remain as beautiful works of architecture.  The Elisnore Gate or Tower was designed by Charles Hannaford, who was said to have Hamlet's Castle in mind.  It housed city water mains. 

What else does Eden Park have?  Picnic Areas and swings, of course!  It's one of the best picnic spots in town, whether you need a table or just a blanket.  When your finished picknicing you can meander up to the President's Tree Grove and through the breath-taking Hinkle Magnolia Garden.  It's also a beautiful spot to get married. 

All of these featureas and ammenities make for one eye-candied run through a Cincinnati Park.  But wait there's more.  Some private organizations or groups utilize the Seasongood Pavilion and perfom concerts or plays. 

Eden Park is quite an outstanding peice of land in Cincinnati.  It's jam-packed full of sites, monuments, lakes and more.  If you are new to Cincinnati, its a must see!  If you are from Cincinnati, don't take it for granted.  Get out there and enjoy it!



Water Tower

Pear Blossoms

Pump Station

Magnolia Garden

Pear Trees Near Resevoir



Hinkle Gazebo



Warbler Trail - Burnet Woods

Sassafras

Warbler Trail is my personal favorite.  It is a trail in Burnet Woods that helps me forget I’m in the middle of the City.   It’s truly a place where you can escape the urban environment.

The trail starts on the south side of Burnet Woods Drive.  The entrance is surrounded by Sassafras trees.  Sassafras is a special treat.  The Native Americans would chew on the stem of the leaf for its flavor.  It’s equivalent to a modern day gum or hard candy.  Sassafras is not the only edible plant along the trail.  You can also find wild raspberries and grapes.



On Warbler Trail, you can spot various kinds of wildlife as well.  Deer are frequent visitors to the park.  Hummingbirds and Red Back Salamanders have been spotted there too.  Since the trail is heavily wooded it is idyllic for many species of birds.





Turkey Tail Fungus on logs

Warbler trail ends on the northern side of Martin Luther King Blvd.  From this point in the park you can play Frisbee golf or trek on over to the University of Cincinnati.  This is a great relaxing escape from the city, in the heart of the city.  It’s the perfect trail for students, lunch breakers and the nature lovers.  Warbler Trail View

Buttercup Valley Hike

Buttercup Valley is located in the neighborhood of Northside in Cincinnati.  It is just one of the many nature preserves the city has to offer.  Attached to Buttercup Valley is Parker’s Woods, which offers 2 trails: a paved trail and a woodland trail.  Parker’s Woods' trails are great for the beginning hiker or someone looking for a small walk through the woods. 

Buttercup Valley offers more intense hiking for the avid nature hiker.  It has some steep inclines and very wooded paths.  These trails will make you forget you’re still in the city. Buttercup Valley runs from West, Hamilton Avenue to East on Crawford Avenue.  One loop will take you to an area called the Flats which is a meadow or prairie habitat.  Another trail will take you right to a clearing and to Crawford Avenue.  You can see Spring Grove Cemetery. 

Buttercup Valley is a beautiful piece of forest which has been untouched since the pioneer days.  This means some of the trees in the valley are over 200 years old!  It is home to various flora and fauna.  Buttercup Valley is a hiker's dream nestled in the heart of urban neighborhoods.  It is Northside’s gem.

Thorn of Honey Locust - biological response during the Ice Age to keep giant beaver's from eating the tree.