Local Points of Interest
In Westerville
2021 March/April Westerville Community Recreation Guide
EASTON TOWN CENTER is only minutes to the South of Little Turtle.
INNISWOOD METRO GARDENS: A botanical garden and nature preserve. 940 S. Hempstead Road, 3/4 mil south of East Schrock Rd., Westerville. (614) 895-6216. Open year-round, daily. No admission charged.
HOOVER DAM: One mile north of Pickawillany on Sunbury Road is the Hoover Dam and Reservoir which has proved to be a fisherman’s delight. The reservoir also has excellent sailing and is the location of the Hoover Sailing Club. Beautiful picnic playground areas stretch for miles along Hoover Reservoir’s shores.
SHARON WOODS: This 760 acre park is located on Cleveland Ave., north of Schrock Road. A 3.8 mile bicycle trail, nature trails, fishing for children under 12, picnic areas, playgrounds, a nature barn, ice skating and sledding hill make Sharon Woods a year-round recreation area for all ages.
BLENDON WOODS: This 646 acre park is home to wooded upland forests and ravines, the Walden Waterfowl Refuse and Thoreau Pond. Nature trails and picnic and playground areas are available. Dublin-Granville Road, off State Route 161, one mile east of !-270 (about 1/8 mile west of Little Turtle).
OUTDOOR PURSUITS
TENNIS: There are 16 tennis courts within the Westerville area. These are located on Otterbein Ave., across from Westerville South High School, on County Line Road at Westerville North High School and on the Otterbein College Campus. The City Recreation Department offers tennis lessons during the summer months. Courts are also available at the Westerville Golf Center of Schrock Road. Indoor courts and racquetball courts can be found with a short distance of Pickawillany.
ICE SKATING: An outdoor ice skating area is available in Sharon Wood Metropolitan Park and occasionally on Alum Creek. Indoor skating is available at The Chiller at Easton Center.
SLEDDING: Two sledding hills are available during the winter months. Alum Creek Park Sledding Hill, accessible from West Main St., and Sharon Woods Metropolitan Park Sledding Hill, accessible from Cleveland Ave., north of the park entrance.
CAMPING: Berkshire camping area is north of Westerville. The State of Ohio operates a camping area complete with toilet and shower facilities on the northwest side of Alum Creek Reservoir off Cheshire Road.
HIKING: Locate nature’s trails at TrailLink.
WESTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY or COLUMBUS METRO LIBRARY at it’s convenient New Albany location.
OTTERBEIN COLLEGE: Independent Coed college located in Westerville.
CITY OF WESTERVILLE: Home page of City of Westerville web site.
WESTERVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Serving your business needs.
METRO
The City Scene
BLACK ART PLUS: Providing access to the best black art the world has to offer
COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART: This museum features permanent collections of European and American art, traveling exhibits, and a sculpture garden. 480 E. Broad St., Columbus. (614) 221-6801. Open year round Tuesday-Sunday. Admission charged except on Thursday.
WEXNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS: The Wexner Center features rotating exhibits of contemporary paintings, sculpture and graphic arts and design. North High Street at 15th Ave., Columbus. (614) 292-3535 (tickets/information). Open year round, Tuesday-Sunday. Admission charged.
OHIO CENTER OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY COSI-COLUMBUS: Located in downtown Columbus, COSI is home to seven “Learning Worlds” spanning the spectrum of scientific knowledge, including archeology, medicine and technology. In the 320,000 square foot facility, there is also a dome theater, a seven-story “Extreme Screen Theater” and a brand new “Space” exhibit is slated to open in the autumn of 2000. 280 E. Broad St., off I-71, Columbus. (6143) 228-COSI. Open year round daily. Admission charged to non-members.
COLUMBUS ZOO: The Columbus zoo displays over 650 species of animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats, including Manatees. Gardens, picnic areas and a golf course are also featured in the zoo. 9990 Riverside Drive, off I-270 and Sawmill Road (Exit 20), Powell. (614) 645-3400. Open year-round, daily. Admission charged.
CAPA THEATERS: Encompasses Capitol Theater, 77 S. High St., Columbus (614) 460-7214, Ohio Theater, home to Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Balletmet Columbus and the Broadway Series, 39 E. State St., Columbus (614) 469-0939, and Palace Theater, home of Opera/Columbus and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, 34 W. Broad St., Columbus (614) 469-9850.
ALUM CREEK RESERVOIR Fishing Map: Northwest of Westerville in Delaware County is Alum Creek Reservoir. A state-run camping area is available and eventually there will be a state lodge. Also available are picnic areas and boat-launch sites all around the lake.
ALUM CREEK STATE PARK: Trails, lake and camping.
SPORTS
OHIO STADIUM: Football, Basketball, Hockey,Lacrosse, Gymnastics,Volleyball,Wrestling plus Events and Concerts
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: National Hockey League made its debut in October 2000 at the Nationwide Arena (614) 436-2418.
SCIOTO DOWNS: features top-notch live harness racing, and thoroughbred and harness simul-casting from all over North American. 6000 S. High St., Columbus. (624) 491-2515. Season: May-mid-September., Monday-Saturday evenings.
For that weekend getaway:
DISCOVER OHIO