Summer Staycation Series: Hitting the Parks

With gas prices soaring and road construction prevalent on roads across the country, many families are choosing to “vacation” near to home, and enjoy a staycation this year instead.  Our family is included in the staycation category this summer.  Although we’d love to hit the Florida shores, a summer vacation simply isn’t in the budget.

However, instead of moping about the roads not traveled, we are enjoying mini day trip vacations close to home.  We are fortunate in Cincinnati to have a plethora of activities that are either free or very economical for families.  One of our favorite destinations is the amazing network of park districts that stretch throughout the region.

In Hamilton County alone, there are 17 parks and four conservation areas that offer hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, camping facilities, fishing lakes, and golf courses.  And since an annual vehicle permit only costs $10, visiting the parks is a very inexpensive activity for the whole family to enjoy.

It’s important to note that a park visit for our family takes at least a few minutes of planning….by the time you load up two parents, four kids, and a dog (yes…this is the most recent addition to our family!), it’s imperative to make sure that the essentials are on board as well.  I try to keep a tote or a tub at least semi-packed with the following items for our outdoor excursions:

• sunscreen
• water bottles (I typically fill these with water and freeze them the night before)
• snacks
• wet wipes
• hand sanitizer
• first aid kit
• bathing suits & towels (in case we hit the water zone)
• sports equipment (frisbees, football, baseball gloves, bats, and balls)
• bread for the ducks
• scooters or bikes
• helmets

By having a stash of supplies that is easily accessible, we are able to get out the door in minimal time, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors.

If you’re looking for a park nearby for your family, there are plenty of sites to help you find the perfect location:

Hamilton County Park District

• Otto Armleder Memorial Park & Recreation Center
• Campbell Lakes Preserve
• Embshoff Woods
• Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve
• Fernbank Park
• Francis RecreAcres
• Glenwood Gardens
• Lake Isabella
• Little Miami Golf Center
• Miami Whitewater Forest
• Mitchell Memorial Forest
• Sharon Woods
• Shawnee Lookout
• Triple Creek Park
• Winton Woods
• Withrow Nature Preserve
• Woodland Mound

Cincinnati Parks

• Krohn Conservatory
• International Friendship Park
• Sawyer’s Point & Yeatman’s Cove
• Public Landing
• Smale Riverfront Park
• Central Region Parks
• West Region Parks
• East Region Parks
• Eden Park
• Ault Park

Butler County Parks

• Engel House
• Antenen Nature Preserve
• Bunker Hill Cemetery
• Chrisholm Historic Farmstead
• Dudley Woods
• Forest Run MetroPark
• Gilmore MetroPark
• Governor Bebb MetroPark
• Pioneer Church Area
• Indian Creek MetroPark
• Rentschler Forest MetroPark
• Sebald Park
• Voice of America MetroPark
• Woodsdale Regional Park

Deerfield Township Parks

• 20 Mile Stand Park
• Carter Park
• Cottell Park
• Deerfield Honors Veterans Park
• Fleckenstein Park
• Kingswood Park
• Schappacher Park
• Quilt Barn Trail

Warren County Parks

• Bowman Park
• Carl E. Oeder Park
• Carmody Park Lower Twin Creek Park Nature Preserve
• Clint Fultz River Park
• Gulley Park and Trails
• Hatton Lukens Park
• Hisey Park
• Ivins Memorial Park
• Kesling Park
• Landen Deerfield Park
• Loeb Memorial Park
• Mathers Mill Nature Preserve
• Minard Memorial Park
• Morrow Veterans Memorial Park
• Warren County Armco Park

City of Mason Parks

• Pine Hill Lakes Park
• Heritage Oak Park
• Mason Sports Park
• Frank Hosea Woods
• Corwin M. Nixon Park
• Thomas P. Quinn Park
• Meadows Park

More Area Parks

• Clippard Park
• Dudley Memorial Park
• Blue Ash Parks
• Loveland Parks & Trails
• City of Montgomery Parks
• Symmes Township Parks
• Harbin Park

Tagged as: Frugal Family Fun, Summer Staycation Series