Ohio's parks are pretty next level. Our national park has its very own passenger railroad. A Cleveland Metropark has its very own castle. A Cincinnati nature center is home to a beautiful swath of old-growth forest. And in the heart of Central Ohio, there is a Columbus Metro Park that's the total package: a place with stunning scenery, a wondrous waterfall, and lots of amazing hiking trails.
What do you do when there's an abandoned quarry right in the middle of a thriving suburb outside of the state capital city?
You turn it into a park; an amazing, next-level, Columbus Metro Park.
The 20th Columbus Metro Park, the aptly-named Quarry Park is located on the site of the Marble Cliff Quarry, which was once the largest contiguous quarry in the United States. This quarry provided limestone for over a century that was used to build the Ohio Statehouse, roads, buildings, and many other places in the region.
But Franklin County park officials could see the potential in this place, which, in addition to its beautiful lakes, forested areas, and outcroppings, had a varied terrain perfect for mountain biking and urban hiking.
Following the successful passage of a tax levy, officials got to work reinventing this place as a special oasis for the community. The park opened on November 30, 2021, as the 20th Columbus Metro Park.
In addition to a variety of hiking and biking trails, there is an accessible, paved boardwalk that winds through wetlands, as well as a natural playscape area for children.
Quarry Park's finest feature, however, is the show-stopping Millikin Falls.
There are two locations for viewing this 25-foot waterfall. The first, the upper viewing deck, is a quick walk from the parking lot. If you want to view the waterfall from below, take the stone steps down to the Millikin Falls Lower Trail. The steps are not stroller or wheelchair-friendly, but a railing along the path makes the walk accessible for kids.
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Or, in this case, an amazing Columbus Metro Park.
Quarry Park is a shining example to which other metro parks should aspire -- this former quarry was a hidden gem hiding in plain sight, just waiting to be rediscovered and revitalized.
Have you explored Quarry Trails Metro Park yet? It's a lovely place worth exploring in full!
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