Glen Echo Park
Glen Echo Park things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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I feel guilty writing this review... This park is a little bit of a local secret, hidden in plain sight. The Glen Echo Ravine is a restoration park from a previous industrial complex, service road, and a water run off. I don't know the full history, but I do know the results are a hybrid aesthetic of fairy tale and dystopian future, that results in some unique sights. There are some shallow lazy streams, small waterfalls, and wild life from squirrels to deer. There's shale everywhere and you can see a ton of layers from eons of sediment. Ancient, cracked roads and dirt paths wind through this forested area, with multiple landscaped gathering areas, and crumbling industrial structures in the process of returning to nature. This place is probably most known for its Bird Tunnel, a giant tunnel from a bridge that the local art council worked with a local artist to paint a giant bird mural, that has subsequently been accented by years of graffiti. While we passed plenty of people, we often had space to ourselves. We came across lots of kids running around, people walking their dogs, and retired locals taking in the wild life. It's not the largest park, but there are some steep trails because it is in a deep ravine in the middle of a neighborhood that provides decent exercise. You can park for free on the streets, one of the few places in Columbus, and there are multiple entrances into the park. There was some trash that had found it's way from the roads above. Near the train tracks there were tents that looked like someone may have been living there. And, there are houses overlooking the entire place.
Bradley NelsonBradley Nelson
00
This is a beautiful park. I went here and was immensely satisfied with my experience. I walked into this park expecting to find a small canyon, but I was stunned to find that this park is a deep ravine with a stream winding through it. The stream carved out an approximately 30 ft tall cliff face i hiked up the side of, where I witnessed a beautiful view of the ravine and it’s autumn colors. The stream flows down the ravine westwards, until it gets diverted through a tunnel under Summit St before spouting out on the other side, which is a nice area to walk down towards because the stream has a large pool that resembles a calm, small pond. Summit St crosses over this park atop an arch bridge, the bottom of which is covered in artistic and interesting graffiti with paintings, which I think is much better than pure writing. After exploring this park I left, immensely satisfied with my experience. I gave this park because it has a beautiful ravine, graffiti work, and because it’s an amazing hidden gem of nature in the middle of Columbus.
QwertyQwerty
00
A nice little park hidden away in Clintonville-- I was really happy to find this today! I found two entrances-- both were a little hard to find if you've never been there. One entrance is all wooden stairs to get down to the park, and the other is a sloped, paved trail that is quite wide. The wide trail into the park is at the intersection of 4th and Cliffside. The stairs entrance is a little past Glenmawr and Cliffside (if you walk down Cliffside and away from 4th). There are picnic tables and large grassy areas throughout the park, as well as many bridges over the stream. There used to be a waterfall, but now it's just water falling down the cliff/rock wall. We didn't explore the whole park, but there's lots of hiking trails and I'm looking forward to coming back again soon.
Aileen HaymanAileen Hayman
70
Simple park to pass through but has diverse terrain. Take the steps off Indianola or walk down the stairs or paved slope from the Glen Echo community. You can sit on picnic tables by the water and appreciate a unique rock layout where you can take in the relaxing sounds of trickling water or take a hike into the woods after you climb a steep incline. The trails aren't exactly intricate but it provides a nice simple jaunt for our four legged friends. Plus you can read up on how glaciers created the unique rock formations.
Emily WalkerEmily Walker
10
Truly a fascinating city park in the middle of a densely populated area of Columbus. Glen Echo Park is a deep ravine with a creek running through it. There are a few picnic tables, some open grassy areas and scenery that you would not associate with Columbus. There aren't any restrooms, playground equipment, and no parking area that I know of. With that being said, I think it's one of Columbus's most unique parks and definitely worth the effort to spend some time at.
RJDRJD
90
This park is beautiful if you somehow find a place to park. The rest of the ravine is infested with a multitude of terrifying, goblinoid homeless people, bandits and other types of dangerous miscreants, however. So keep your head on a swivel if you should find yourself alone; the terrain is tactically disadvantageous to a person walking along the low ground. It is no wonder a dozen people have died in this park since its inception.
A. Paul CalypseA. Paul Calypse
40
Nearby Attractions Of Glen Echo Park
Evolved Body Art
ALDI
Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse
Rendezvous Hair Salon
Used Kids Records
Midwest Photo
Holiday Inn Express Columbus - Ohio Expo Center by IHG
Audubon Park
The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel
The Little Light Collective

Evolved Body Art
4.9
(3.7K)Click for details

ALDI
4.5
(940)Click for details

Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse
4.8
(658)Click for details

Rendezvous Hair Salon
4.9
(602)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Glen Echo Park
Rumba Café
Exotic Latin Grill
Ohio State Pizza & Deli
Wings and More & pizza (Hallal)100%
Taste of Greece & Mediterranean Food Truck
Honey Cup Coffee Company
Pizza Pizza 007
Yellow Springs Brewery Taproom & Kitchen
Rambling House Music Bar
Castello Pizza

Rumba Café
4.5
(396)Click for details

Exotic Latin Grill
4.6
(355)Click for details

Ohio State Pizza & Deli
3.6
(441)Click for details

Wings and More & pizza (Hallal)100%
4.6
(155)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
510 Cliffside Dr, Columbus, OH 43202
Map
Phone
(614) 645-3300
Call
Website
columbusrecparks.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(311 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Description
Glen Echo Park is an arts and cultural center in Glen Echo, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Located about 9 miles northwest of the city's downtown area, the park's site was initially developed in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly.
attractions: Evolved Body Art, ALDI, Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse, Rendezvous Hair Salon, Used Kids Records, Midwest Photo, Holiday Inn Express Columbus - Ohio Expo Center by IHG, Audubon Park, The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel, The Little Light Collective, restaurants: Rumba Café, Exotic Latin Grill, Ohio State Pizza & Deli, Wings and More & pizza (Hallal)100%, Taste of Greece & Mediterranean Food Truck, Honey Cup Coffee Company, Pizza Pizza 007, Yellow Springs Brewery Taproom & Kitchen, Rambling House Music Bar, Castello Pizza
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