COLUMBUS, OH -- Visiting one of Ohio's prize-winning state parks for a day is a wholesome way for families to get outside and have fun together. While all Ohio State Parks offer a variety of facilities and family-oriented activities, many are especially suited to day-long escapes, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Among the state parks that make great one-day getaways for families with pre-school and elementary-age children are Little Miami State Park in southwestern Ohio; Buckeye Lake State Park in east central Ohio; and Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County.
The 47-mile paved bikeway of Little Miami State Park lets active families cycle, skate or walk together safe from motor vehicle traffic. The multi-use bikeway parallels the Little Miami River from Waynesville to Milford with staging areas at Corwin, Loveland and Morrow that have parking lots, restrooms and other facilities.
For families that love water, Buckeye Lake State Park's Brooks Park (near Millersport) offers the perfect spot for a day of swimming and fishing, with a picnic area and new playground equipment nearby. Privately operated boat rentals are available in the area. The state fish hatchery at Hebron, located a few miles north of the lake, provides an interesting side excursion.
Visiting Malabar Farm State Park is a fun way for pre-school and elementary-age youngsters to learn the ways of a working farm. Parents and grandparents will enjoy touring Louis Bromfield's "Big House," best known as the place where Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall tied the knot more than 50 years ago.
Additional "day-trip" parks include Blue Rock State Park in Muskingum County, Kiser Lake State Park in Champaign County, Mt. Gilead State Park in Morrow County, and Forked Run State Park in Meigs County. All feature new playground equipment and quiet lakes for novice paddlers. Most have conveniently located swimming beaches.
For additional information on Ohio State Parks, call the 1-800-BUCKEYE tourism hotline or visit the ODNR web site at Ohiodnr.com .
For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860
-or-
Jean Backs, Ohio State Parks
(614) 265-7077