Sledding & Outdoor Activities
As winter weather descends upon central Ohio and school-aged children hope for a "snow day," we would like to remind residents in the Hoover Reservoir area that
downhill sledding, snowboarding or skiing is not permitted on the city-owned sloped land around the reservoir or dam due to safety reasons.
The Blendon Township Police Department will be assisting the City of Columbus in enforcing the rule beginning this winter in order to avoid injuries. Signage was recently installed in areas where sledding and other winter recreational activities have occurred in the past, sometimes resulting in injuries.
Pulling children along in sleds and cross country skiing on non-sloped areas is still permitted at the Hoover Reservoir.
Westerville area residents are encouraged to instead pursue winter recreational activities at the following parks in northeast Franklin County, where sledding is allowed:
- Sharon Woods Metro Park
- Blendon Woods Metro Park (kiddie hill for children 8 and under)
- Highbanks Metro Park
NOTE: There are also sledding hills at Battelle Darby Creek in Galloway
For questions, residents should contact
Metro Parks and can call 491-0700
Mon- Fri, 8am - 4 pm to check conditions.
- Metro Parks also offer Skating Ponds (open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.):
- Battelle Darby Creek 614-370-6254
- Blendon Woods 614-620-1861
Call ahead to check if ponds are open for skating. - and Cross-country Skiing at:
- Battelle Darby Creek
- Blacklick Woods & Golf Courses
- Blendon Woods
- Chestnut Ridge
- Clear Creek
- Glacier Ridge
- Heritage Trail
- Highbanks
- Prairie Oaks
- Slate Run
- Three Creeks