Published July 2, 2024
Planning a picnic in your Five Rivers MetroParks
For families or small groups who want a more informal gathering, picnic tables are a popular amenity in many MetroParks. Whether you are enjoying a picnic on a blanket or a table, it’s important to remember that all of your Five Rivers MetroParks are also home to fragile plants and wildlife. Leaving behind food waste can have negative effects on wildlife, so it’s important to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out when you bring it into the parks.
Visit the following spots for a picturesque picnic with your loved ones:
Aullwood Garden MetroPark: Start your afternoon with lunch at the picnic table adjacent to the parking lot along the Stillwater River. After cleaning up, take the natural surface path heading towards the Aull House and take in the beautiful greenspace and gardens.
RiverScape River Run: Particularly fun on a muggy day, the tables and relined chairs located at the terrace along the RiverScape River Run are a breezy place for a pit stop during a long bike ride or a space to enjoy a snack. Shade sales protect you from direct sunlight and there is often an enjoyable breeze off of the Great Miami River. For an extra cool down, grab some ice cream at the Fountain Snack Bar or run through the interactive fountains in the main footprint of RiverScape MetroPark.
Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark: Much like Aullwood Garden MetroPark, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark is home to beautiful gardens that offer a quiet space to enjoy time with your favorite people. For a more remote picnic destination, head to the table by the prairie. Smaller groups can sit at the round tables that surround the ornamental displays adjacent to the expansive green and gardens.
Twin Creek MetroPark: Park at Twin Creek MetroPark’s northern Eby Road lot and set up at the picnic table or bring a blanket to enjoy a bite to eat and sunset over sweeping views of the Miami Valley. Visitors can also enjoy a short 1.1-mile hike along the blue trail.
All picnic tables outside of sheltered areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Explore more MetroParks locations and find places to picnic on the go by downloading MetroParks free mobile app.