Sledding in Columbus

Albeit flat, central Ohio produces some sledding possibilities

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Columbus has discovered its world is pretty flat, but that doesn’t mean sledding is out of the question on snow days.

We recently tested three hills at Columbus parks along the Olentangy River that were suitable for small children and downright enjoyable for this mom.

So grab your sled and hit the hills.

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Clinton-Como Park
301 W. Pacemont Rd., Columbus

When I first encountered this hill, near the east bank of the Olentangy River, I mistook it for an earth mound. But another Columbus resident perhaps had a better explanation: “I think it’s a dirt pile left over from from construction of the nearby apartments,” he said. This simplification made more sense. The mound, my children found, is descendable from all directions, which made it extra cool for sled riding. From atop you see a steady stream of bikers and joggers, meandering the Olentangy Greenway Trail that follows the river and intersects this 20-acre park. Access the hill by parking along the west end of W. Weber Road, or park at the lot on the west end of Lakeview Avenue, near a playground.

Kenney Park
5201 Delawanda Ave., Columbus

“I had no idea this park existed,” was my first thought upon discovering the sledding hills at Kenney Park, at the west end of Graceland Shopping Center. Located along the Olentangy River, the park contains ball diamonds and a soccer field, the sides of which create delightful sledding hills. Dozens of sledders were using the park when we arrived, zipping down inclines that led into the center of the soccer field. Access the park from the parking area west of the Kroger Marketplace.

Olentangy Park
600 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington

The 100-acre Olentangy Park, also along the Olentangy River, has multiple sledding possibilities, and when we arrived it appeared that sledders had already tried and worn out every one. The main hill is long and lean, adjacent to the entryway of the park. Other sledding slopes were created on a wooded bank straddling soccer fields. The park also contains a portion of the bike trail, playground and the Winding Adventures Skate Park.

If you’ve worked up a good appetite, visit Villa Nova Ristorante, 5545 N. High St., where children can eat a hearty dish of homemade rigatoni or spaghetti and meatballs for $3.95 ($1.99 on Mondays).

More sledding possibilities in central Ohio

Below is a sampling of other known sledding locations in central Ohio, however these have not all been personally tested by Columbus Family Adventures.

Antrim Park
5800 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43085

Battelle Darby Creek
1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, Ohio 43119

Big Run Park
4201 Clime Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43228

Blacklick Woods
6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068

Fryer Park
3899 Orders Rd., Grove City, Ohio 43123

Glenwood Park
1888 Fairmont Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43223

Goodale Park
120 W Goodale St., Columbus, Ohio 43215

Highbanks
9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035

Huntley Bowl Park
6225 Huntley Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43229

Schiller Park
1069 Jaeger St., Columbus, Ohio 43206

Scioto Audubon
400 W. Whittier St., Columbus, Ohio 43215

Scioto Grove
5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, Ohio 43123

Sharon Woods
6911 Cleveland Ave., Westerville, Ohio 43081

Walnut Woods
6723 Lithopolis Rd., Groveport, Ohio 43125

Whetstone Park
3901 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43214

Wyman Woods Park
1515 Goodale Blvd., Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212