11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville
Sharon Woods, established 1932, is the oldest park in the Great Parks of Hamilton County network. Within its 730 acres are trails, a lake, a boathouse, pavilions, playgrounds, a golf course and Heritage Village, a living museum that recreates what Ohio life was like in the 1800s.
Kimberly Whitton, Great Parks public engagement coordinator, says one of the paths the 0.7-mile Gorge Trail is a state-dedicated nature preserve with waterfalls and deep gorges. While the trail is relatively level, theres a slight ascension if you start near Buckeye Falls, a destination for photographers, and end at Sharon Lake. The path is wide, well-maintained and ideal for running or beginner-level hiking. Otherwise, there are two paved trails: the Shared Use trail, a 2.6-mile loop around Sharon Lake, and the 1-mile Parcours Trail, also known as the Fitness Trail, which features workout stations.
Photo: Madeleine Meeks