Columbus Metro Parks Dog Trails

Finally Spring has arrived and the time is right to take advantage of the dog friendly trails in the following Metro Parks. Great exercise for your dog and for you!


Battelle Darby Creek

Directions: From I-270, take the W Broad St (US 40) exit west. Go about 5 miles and turn left on Darby Creek Dr. The main entrance is about 3 miles on the right. Indian Ridge Area is about 1 mile south of the main entrance on the right.

Darby Creek Greenway Trail  (4.7 miles, easy)
Gravel, winds through fields and woods and through the bison areas

Wagtail Trail  (1.6 miles, easy to moderate)
Grass surface traverses restored prairies, open grasslands, forest and wetlands.

Directions to trail entrance: From I-270, take the West Broad Street (U.S. 40) exit west. Go about 5 miles on Broad Street and turn left on Darby Creek Drive. Continue about 5 miles on Darby Creek Drive passing the main park entrance to Alkire Road and turn right. Continue on Alkire Road about 1 mile (crossing over Big Darby Creek) to Georgesville Wrightsville Road and turn left. Pet trail parking lot is about 1.6 miles on the left, after the road zig-zags.

Lake Trail  (1 mile, easy)
Dirt surface loops around a quarry lake. (Pleasant Valley Quarry Area).

Edgewood Trail  (1 mile, easy)
Dirt surface loops through a meadow and along the edge of woodland. (Pleasant Valley Quarry Area)

Prairie Way  (0.25 miles, easy)
Grass surface passes through a meadow and splits the loop of the Edgewood Trail. (Pleasant Valley Quarry Area)

Directions to Pleasant Valley Quarry trails entrance: From I-71, take exit 94 and go 1.75 miles on Sr 62 / SR 3 southwest towards Harrisburg. Entrance is on the left.

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Blacklick Woods
Blacklick Creek Greenway   (0.75 miles north/0.75 miles south, easy)
Paved surface passes through meadows.

Directions: From I-270, take E Main Street/Reynoldsburg exit. Go east on Min St to Brice Road and turn right. Take Brice Road to Livingston Ave and turn left. Entrance is about 1.5 miles on right. Drive to nature center parking lot for southern section of trail, which continues out of the park to Refugee Road. Park at Beech Maple Lodge or Ash Grove for northern section of trail (or join it from the bike and pedestrian entrance on Livingston Ave).

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Blendon Woods
Goldenrod Pet Trail  (1.2 miles, easy)
Grass surface passes through meadows.

Directions: From I-270, take State Route 161/New Albany exit east to the Little Turtle Way exit and turn right onto Old State Route 161/East Dublin-Granville Road. Entrance is 1/2 mile on the left.

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Clear Creek
Barnebey Pet Trail    (1 mile, one way, easy to moderate)
Gravel surface. Trail is actually the first mile of the Chestnut Trail, which flows over gently rolling hills to a gate where the trail enters the forest. Pets are not allowed beyond this point.

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Glacier Ridge
Ironweed Trail  (2.8 miles, easy)
Paved surface traverses woods and fields.

Marsh Hawk Trail  (2.2 miles, easy)
Paved surface traverses grasslands and woods.

Directions: From I-270 take U.S. 33 west (near Dublin) to State Route 161/Post Road exit. Turn right onto Post Road, then left onto Hyland Croy Road. Entrance is about 3 miles north on left.

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Heritage Trail Park
Multi-use Trail  (3.7 miles, easy)
Paved surface traverses open fields.

Directions: From I-270 take Tuttle Road and turn left onto Wilcox Road. Turn right onto Hayden Run Road. Entrance is about 2 3/4 miles on right.

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Highbanks
Coyote Run Trail  (3.5 miles, moderate)
Grass surface, through hardwood forests and fields. Closed to pets and hiking when cross-country skiing conditions exist.

Big Meadows Path  (1 mile, moderate)
Asphalt surface, through meadows and playfields. 

Oak Coves Path  (0.4 miles, easy)
Asphalt surface, through meadows and playfields. 

Directions: From I-270 take U.S. 23 North about 3 miles. Entrance is on the left, just before Powell Road.

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Inniswood Metro Gardens 

Chipmunk Chatter Trail  (0.6 miles, easy)
Paved surface traverses woodland.

Trail is accessed from North Street, Westerville, or from the far end of the Inniswood parking lot, outside the gardens, near the maintenance area.

Directions to trail entrance (North Street): From I-270, take the 161 east exit and turn left onto Sunbury Road. Go north on Sunbury Road about 1.5 miles to North Street on the left.

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Pickerington Ponds
Blacklick Creek Greenways Trail  (1.2 miles inside park, then 7.8 miles south to Three Creeks, 0.85 miles north to Portman Park)
Paved surface passes through woods, fields and wetlands. Trail can be accessed from the Glacier Knoll Picnic Area off Bowen Road

Directions: From I-270 take U.S. 33 east toward Lancaster about 3 miles. Turn left onto Gender Road, go about 1 mile and turn right onto Wright Road. Go about 1 mile to Bowen Road and turn left. Glacier Knoll picnic and parking area is about 0.25 miles on left.

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Prairie Oaks
Note: Pet Trails are not accessible from the main park entrance off Plain City-Georgesville Road.

Sycamore Plains Trail  (1 mile, moderate)
Grass and dirt surfaces traverse grasslands and passes along Big Darby Creek.

Osage Opening Trail  (0.5 mile loop, moderate to difficult)
Grass and dirt surfaces traverse fields and woodlands.

Tall Grass Trail  (0.7 mile loop, easy)
Grass and dirt uneven surface, but fairly level, extends southward in a loop from the Sycamore Plains Trail.

Directions to the above trails entrance: From Route 142 (Plain City-Georgesville Road) go about 1/4 mile south of I-70 exit. Turn left on High Free Pike. Go about 1 mile to Roberts Road and turn left. Go about 1 mile on Roberts Road to Amity Road and turn left. Entrance is on left

Mound Trail  (0.3 miles, easy)
Grass and dirt uneven surface, but fairly level, encircles an Indian Mound in the Darby Bend Lakes area.

Lakeview Trail  (0.6 miles, easy)
Grass, dirt and hard-packed grit surface, fairly level with a few uneven surfaces, runs down the east side of the most southerly lake in the Darby Bend Lakes area, connecting with the Darby Creek Greenway Trail near the bridge to the west side of Big Darby Creek.

River Rock Trail  (0.6 miles, easy)
Grass and dirt surface fairly level but uneven, loops around one of the lakes in the Darby Bend Lakes area from the Darby Creek Greenway Trail.

Darby Creek Greenway Trail  (3.4-miles, easy)
Gravel surface, runs through the Darby Bend Lakes Area, crosses Big Darby Creek and runs alongside restored prairies.

Directions to Darby Bend Lakes trails entrances: From I-270, take I-70 west to the West Jefferson / Plain City exit (exit 85), turn right onto Plain City-Georgesville Road / State Route 142. Go about 2.25 miles to Lucas Road (passing the main park entrance) and turn right. Go across Big Darby Creek and turn right at the stop sign onto Amity Road. Entrance is about 1/2 mile on right.

Beaver Lake Trail  (0.9 miles, easy)
Natural surface, loops around Beaver Lake in the Natural Play Area.

Directions to Beaver Lake: (8921 Lucas Road, Plain City):
From I-270 take I-70 west to West Jefferson/Plain City exit, turn right onto Plain City-Georgesville Road/State Route 142. Go about 2.25 miles to Lucas Road (passing the main park entrance) and turn right. Entrance is about 0.25 miles on right.

Prairie Oaks also features a dog swimming area in the Darby Bend Lakes area where dogs are allowed off leash.

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Scioto Audubon
Scioto Greenway Trail    (2 miles, easy) The Scioto Greenway Trail runs through the park, going south about 2 miles to Berliner Park, and north to Bicentennial Park, where there's a connection to the Olentangy Greenway Trail, which goes north of I-270 to Worthington Hills Park.

Directions: From I-71, take the Greenlawn Avenue exit east one-third of a mile and turn left on South Front Street. Go a quarter of a mile and turn left on West Whittier Street. Entrance is one-third of a mile on left.

Scioto Audubon also has a 2-acre Dog Park with separate areas for large and for small dogs, both with an agility course.

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Slate Run
Covered Bridge Trail  (0.5 miles, easy)
Gravel surface through fields with a view of Buzzard’s Lake.

Lake Trail  (0.4 miles, easy)
Paved surface loops around an inlet in Buzzard's Roost Lake.

Shagbark Trail  (0.5 miles, easy)
Gravel surface loop trail through fields and forests connects to Covered Bridge Trail.

Directions: From I-270, take U.S. 33 east toward Lancaster to the Canal Winchester/State Route 674 exit. Turn right onto Gender Road/Route 674 and go about 2 miles until it dead-ends into Lithopolis Road. Turn left and go about 1/2 mile to Route 674. Turn right and go about 4 miles to the entrance on the right.

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Three Creeks
Evergreen Trail  (0.5 miles, easy)
Dirt and grass surface traverses white pine grove.

Blacklick Creek Greenways Trail  (9 miles to Glacier Knoll Picnic Area in Pickerington Ponds, easy)
Paved surface runs parallel to Blacklick Creek through meadows and wetlands.

Alum Creek Greenways Trail  (14.6 miles roundtrip, easy)
Paved surface runs parallel to Alum Creek, crossing a 300 ft. bridge below the confluence of the Alum, Big Walnut and Blacklick creeks.

Turtle Pond Trail  (0.4 miles, easy)
Gravel surface loops around the pond in the Confluence Trails Area.

Loop TrailsPets can also be walked on the Heron Pond Loop Trail, the Turtle Pond Trail in the Confluence Trails area, and loops around Madison Mills and around Sycamore Fields playing areas, extending to Smith Farms.

Directions: From I-270, take U.S. 33 east to the South Hamilton Road exit. Turn right and go about 1 mile to Bixby Road and turn right. Entrance is about 1 mile on the right.

Three Creeks also features a 4-acre Dog Park managed by the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.

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Walnut Woods
Sweetgum Trail  (2.5 miles, easy)
Paved surface traverses stands of sweet gum and pine trees.

Directions: From I-270, take US 33 east toward Lancaster. Go about 1.3 miles then turn right on Hamilton Road/SR 317. Go about 2.7 miles and turn left onto Main Street/Groveport Road. Go 1.4 miles to Richardson Road and turn right. The entrance to the Tall Pines Area is about 1.1 miles on your right.

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Please support Nitro's Law

Prayer of Saint Francis for Animals

God Our Heavenly Father, 

You created the world

to serve humanity's needs 

and to lead them to You.

By our own fault 

we have lost the beautiful relationship

which we once had with all your creation.

Help us to see

that by restoring our relationship with You

we will also restore it

with all Your creation.

Give us the grace 

to see all animals as gifts from You

and to treat them with respect

for they are Your creation.

We pray for all animals

who are suffering as a result of our neglect.

May the order You originally established

be once again restored to the whole world

through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary,

the prayers of Saint Francis

and the merits of Your Son,

Our Lord Jesus Christ

Who lives and reigns with You

now and forever. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi

 

Dog Vaccinations: What’s The Difference Between The 3-Year Rabies Shot And The 1-Year Rabies Shot?

All states in the U.S. have laws in place requiring dogs to be immunized to prevent the spread of Rabies.

As of March 2009 Alabama is the one last remaining state requiring an annual Rabies shot.  However, there is a proposed rewrite of their law in process now to remove the 1-year requirement there as well. All other states require the 3-year Rabies vaccination instead.

The convenience of taking your dog to the vet for a Rabies shot only once every 3 years offers a nice savings, as veterinarian office visits are rapidly approaching the cost of taking your own kids in for a doctor’s visit.

The big question is which Rabies injection is better for your dog? Is there a different formula used in the 3-year Rabies vaccination? Is the quantity of drug being injected larger and, therefore, potentially more dangerous for your dog?

These are all legitimate concerns that we will explore…

Any Differences?

Here’s a shocker for you: the actual 3-year Rabies shot contains the same drug and is given in the same amount as the 1-year Rabies shot. 

The only difference is the label on the bottle indicating 1-year vs. 3-year.

Rabies Vaccination Schedules

For the purpose of convincing pet owners to return for a booster shot with young dogs, the first Rabies vaccinationshould take place at 4 to 6 months, followed by an annual Rabies booster.  This will build up antibodies to protect the dog quickly. After that first annual shot, you can then move on to a 3-year Rabies vaccination schedule.

Even though the Rabies shots are essentially the same, simply being labeled a 1-year shot will place the animal in a noncompliant status as far as the state is concerned (when that year has passed). To again be considered protected (according to the state), your dog will need another Rabies vaccination, and then repeated Rabies vaccinations every 3 years thereafter.

Is The Rabies Vaccination Safe?

The Rabies vaccine does come with some risks. There is a potential for serious life-threatening allergic reactions that you should be aware of.

If your dog is breathing heavily, his face is swelling, his eyes are watering, or he’s vomiting, your vet should be notified immediately.  These reactions to the Rabies vaccine are indicative of a medical emergency for your dog. Fast action is imperative, as immediate treatment is critical for your dog’s survival.

Other common reactions include agitation or aggressive behavior, skin rashes, digestive disorders and muscle weakness.

Your Dog’s Chances Of Getting Rabies

Did you know the Rabies vaccine is the only immunization that is required by law for pets in the United States?

Because of the extensive Rabies vaccination program, as of 2007 Canine Rabies no longer exists in the U.S.  Of course, dogs can still contract Rabies from other animals living in the wild though.

Because there is a known chance of some dogs having a severe reaction to the Rabies vaccine, you should be aware that you do have the option of obtaining an exemption from the procedure. You see, veterinarians are authorized to exempt animals from the inoculation in cases where an animal’s current medical condition would indicate a risk to their well-being.

http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/07/dog_rabies_vaccine.php 

Who's in the lead?

The biggest mistake many people make in their relationship with their dog is that they don't "take the lead". Dog's in general are GREAT followers. Most don't want to be in charge, they just want to get through the day with minimum conflict and maintain their personal safety...just like most people. They are happy to be led as long as they trust the person making the decisions. The problem is lots of people are not clear about making decisions and thus their "leading" leads to much confusion for the dog. People generally are not clear about showing their dog what the expectations are. Often people don't follow through. They simply don't bother to say what they mean and then mean what they say.

For example, you ask your dog to sit and the dog does not comply. What you do next will determine your leadership skills. Do you keep repeating the command while the dog continues to ignore it? Or do you insist the dog follow through?  If you keep repeating yourself over and over the consequence is that the dog learns to tune you out while doing whatever he so desires. A leader would take the time to insist the dog follow through. This may mean taking a hold of the dog’s collar or leash and simply holding it steady UNTIL the dog puts his butt to the ground. It might mean lightly touching his rear end and exerting slight pressure until he sits...but for certain a good leader would not have ignored the dog’s non-response to a known behavior. Nor would a good leader yell or lose his/her temper. That does not help to create a strong, respectful relationship with the dog. Anger has no place in training; instilling fear is not leadership. 

Implicit in leadership is a congruency between words and action. I often speculate about a nervous or shy dog's thought process when the human on the end of the leash says, "let's go" but is obviously apprehensive and uncertain about how to get the dog to follow. I think the dog must look up and think, "if you don't know where we're going, there's no way I'm following you!" To face forward, look straight ahead and just walk is a far more confident action. There is truth to the old saying, "fake it, till you make it". At least 'act' like you believe your dog will follow you! Calm and assertive guidance is the essence of leadership. No one wants to follow a wimp or a bully. Keep that in mind as you interact with your dog.