This Charming Ohio Hike Is 100% Worth Braving the Cold

Break out your coziest gloves now, because you're going to want to get out and explore once you discover this odd and beautiful little community park in Ohio. With massive park districts, state parks, nature preserves, and one national park in our beautiful state, it's almost easy to overlook little municipal attractions. However, if there's one community that knows how to make quaint attractions feel larger than life, it's Dublin. If you haven't heard of their Field of Corn monument, that belongs on your bucket list when you visit, but today we're going to explore one wintry paradise in town that you probably haven't even heard of.

Ask anyone in Dublin about Ballantrae Community Park... you're guaranteed to hear about the bunnies. While this may not sound like a strange pitch for a park, locals aren't referring to fauna indigenous to Ohio. No, they're talking about the Ballantrae Giant Dancing Hares.

At 24 feet in height, these odd statues are actually closer in size to a giraffe than a rabbit. Nonetheless, they're absolutely fascinating little landmarks. In the summer months, they're surrounded by a splashpad that locals can't resist, but winter brings an odd sort of beauty to the unusual three-piece monument.

It was crafted in 2001 by London-based artist Sophie Ryder to mimic the springtime "boxing" of hares, but Ryder infused a certain sort of magic into her design. The metal statues are made with everyday objects like pipes and hammers, so you might spot some unusual details if you stay and admire them closely. They're a picture perfect tourist destination, so bundle up and be prepared to stay for a spell while you admire them and snap a few pics to preserve your travel adventures.

Ballantrae Community Park Loop is the perfect way to explore all that the park has to offer, and at 1.5-miles, it's an easy 30-minute hike. Plus, the trails are paved and even, so it's accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

While it's hard to beat the views of the Giant Dancing Hares, there are two scenic little lakes in the park waiting to greet visitors. They're havens to waterfowl in the winter, so you'll likely hear a chorus of ducks and geese even when they're not in sight.

While the splashpad may attract visitors in the warmer months, the winter water features aren't too shabby. Fountains and man-made waterfalls add movement to a still winter landscape, and they're a real treat to admire. If you dress for the weather and can manage to stand still without shivering for a few minutes, you'll want to budget some time to stop and admire them.

Though this is one of most beautiful winter hikes in Ohio, this park is understandably beautiful all year-round. In the summer, lush greenery erupts around its ponds, and the rhythm of birdsong dances through the surrounding forests. In the fall, those woods burst into rich hues of red and gold. Truthfully, Ballantrae Community Park is a treat no matter when you visit, and you'll easily see why locals consider it a true hidden gem.

From giant concrete corn to giant metal hares, Dublin is easily one of the quirkiest communities in Ohio. While you're in town, be sure to swing by the Dublin Bridge Walk, too. It opened in 2020, so it's a new feature that only adds to this cute community's charm.