Butler County certainly had a long, hard winter. Snow and bitter cold sent many of us inside for the season, and if you’re anything like me you’re probably suffering from a bit of cabin fever. Well, spring is finally here! For many people, warmer weather and school breaks mean it’s time to put the pedal to the metal (literally) and get outside. For those of us staying local for spring break, there are plenty of adventures to be had at MetroParks of Butler County that will keep you and your family occupied and outside. All of these opportunities are either FREE or low-cost, and there are no fees or motor vehicles required to visit the MetroParks!
Playgrounds & Picnic Shelters
MetroParks of Butler County offers eight awesome playgrounds to keep your little ones occupied for hours. Each playground is different, so this is your invitation to try them all! All playgrounds have a nearby picnic table or picnic shelter, so pack a lunch and spend a few hours climbing, swinging and sliding through Butler County. My Girl Scout troop loves the Rentschler Forest MetroPark playground, which was voted the #1 in Butler County two years running by the Hamilton Journal-News. The Timberman Ridge MetroPark playground is MetroParks’ newest play booster, and a great one for older children.
Programs & Events
All MetroParks programming is offered at no cost in April! Both the historic Augspurger House at Chrisholm MetroPark and Governor Bebb MetroPark’s Pioneer Village will be open to explore on April 19th. All ages can step back in time and learn more about what life was like for Ohio’s European settlers at these two historic parks. If history’s not your thing, bring your chair and enjoy some beautiful music by Miami University students at Meadow Ridge MetroPark. Music in the Park is an immersive experience highlighting the connection between music and the environment. This program is also scheduled for April 19th, so make it a day and hit a few MetroParks that Saturday.
The City Nature Challenge Kickoff events at Rentschler Forest and Voice of America MetroParks will turn your kids into citizen scientists for the day! With the help of the iNaturalist app, children and adults can record their nature observations and help scientists learn more about the plant and animal species found locally. This is a friendly competition between cities across the world, so help Butler County rack up those points by recording your observations throughout the four-day event.
Biking & Paddling
Whether you prefer a bike trail or water trail, spring is a great time to exercise and explore new places. If the water is calling your name, there are no fees to launch hand-carried watercraft in the parks. Beginners can take a quiet paddle on VOA Lake or the Meadow Ridge MetroPark ponds, and more advanced kayakers can access any MetroParks-managed Great Miami River launch during regular park hours. Adults ages 18+ can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at VOA Lake for $15/hour. Click here for more information about MetroParks’ paddling locations.
If your family likes to bike, there’s nowhere better than the Great Miami River Trail. Older children can participate in longer excursions north from the Trenton Trailhead to Piqua or south from Timberhill MetroPark to Fairfield. There are plenty of shops and restaurants along the way, check out one of our previous blog posts for some great recommendations! If you’re not looking for an all-day or multi-day trip, ride a few miles along the trail and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy trailside as you take in some beautiful views of the Great Miami River.
We hope to see you in the MetroParks this spring!
