Char-Mar Ridge Preserve

This is our favorite park. For all ages!!! It's a loop. Keep going. Nothing too scary for all ages!!! It's got a bird watching area and natural play area with a stream for throwing rocks!!!

The Glacier Ridge trail is a 1.5 mile loop and has lots of big tree shade to escape from the summer heat. The path takes you past a natural play area, across a wooden foot bridge and right past an elevated wildlife viewing area. A perfect place to get some quiet and enjoy nature. This park has plenty of parking, clean restrooms and a few picnic tables.

Chat Mar has been a family favorite through the whole pandemic to go for leisurely hikes. The whole loop is 1.5 miles and the elevation gains are minimal through out. There is a pond as well that has a blind near it that gives you the opportunity to see local water life and birds.Also if you want more of a workout, throughout the walk there are stations encouraging you to do an exercise movement (lunges, jumping Jacks,...) in a 10 or 15 set. Totally optional and most are not doing them.It's also very pup friendly and the parking is paved and plentiful.

Lovely walking trails full of nature. Good for pets as well:) really enjoyed seeing nature blooming today there.

I walked the Glacier Ridge Trail today for the first time and really enjoyed it! At 1.5 miles with a few little hills and curves it was a fun adventure, the perfect distance for me (I hate hiking but like nature walks) and a very short legged pooch. The trees are so pretty, and I look forward to going back soon!

The Char-Mar Ridge Preserve provides a nice way to relax with nature and enjoy a good hike in nearby Westerville. The area features a ravine with a stream and a pond which is accessible by a 1 1/2 mile long loop trail that takes you around the area. There is a wildlife blind that gives a great view of the visiting waterfowl on the pond, and provides descriptions and photos of what you may see. The park is nicely wooded, and there are a lot of a little critters to see as you go. The trail is lined with signage describing various trees in the area.The drive and parking lot are gravel, and the lot has plenty of space. A nice set of restrooms and water fountain are situated near there, along with the entrance to the loop trail. At this time, this is the only trail, but it sounds like they are planning to add a few more based on the website. The preserve is also located near the Ohio to Erie Trail, so it would make a nice stop if you were biking by. There are also a few picnic tables near the lot, so feel free to bring your lunch!

Guys, my youngest daughter fell asleep during our walk here, so I had time to myself to think about what could possibly make this place better and I came up empty. I guess maybe the trail is a bit short at 1.5 miles, but it's a loop so, you know, you can go around again. The wildlife viewing blind blew my nips off; I didn't expect a lake up there, but there's a freakin' lake up there (spoiler alert: there's a freakin' lake up there.) The trail is nice (I was using our regular stroller and it was fine,) there's a natural play area (not as flashy as Blendon Woods, but definitely more natural,) and there are bathrooms with changing stations; I'm going back as soon as possible.