Rock Climbing at Scioto Audubon Metro Park

Written/Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:

From the Columbus Metro Parks Website:

The three towers and two arches of the main climbing wall reach a height of 35 feet and extend over 6,100 square feet. The wall features bouldering, top rope and lead climbing. There are four auto belays, but climbers must bring their own climbing harness. Climbers must be age 13 or older (ages 13 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult). There is no age restriction for bouldering on the 10-foot boulders. Small 10-foot boulders are available for kids to climb.

Impression:

If you've followed VisualOhio for any time at all, you know that we love all things outdoors.  We here are avid hikers and hit the numerous trails scattered all over Ohio.   There is an annual Arnold Sports Festival coverage and anytime we can cover sports, we jump at the chance.

For those that are looking for the ability to climb mountains...well...you'd need to travel to Appalachia for that or perhaps look to find some kind of rock climbing wall at a facility or event.

What you may not have known is that the Columbus Metro Parks has a dedicated, permanent rock climbing structure at the Scioto Audubon facility.  Found in a lower area directly nature center and just past the pond area.   If you do not want to park and walk there from the main parking lot, there is an access road to a parking lot right next to the sand lot volleyball courts.

When the weather is good, there are usually a good number of people there taking advantage of the rock climbing area.

There are even people there to help you and guide you through the process.

As a sport, rock climbing takes into account everything - endurance, stamina, cardiovascular, strength training.   If you are just starting out, there are shorter sections and arches for you.

If you are more advanced or ready to step up your game, there are higher section that go up to 35 feet.
If rock climbing is not something for you, just watching is great fun.   You can watch from ground level on all sides or for a more eye level view, take the steps of the water tower to the top and you get a good view over the trees.  That is where the majority of the images in this article were taken.

Scioto Audubon Park

Scioto Audubon Park is one of the newer Columbus Metro Parks, located in downtown Columbus.  It is 120 acres and provides the following great features:

• Boat launch
• Rock climbing wall
• Playground
• Volleyball courts
• Walking/bicycling paths to the Scioto Mile
• Dog park

There is a nature center as well to enjoy.  The park sits right on the Scioto River, so expect to see lots of wetland type birds.  The view is also very beautiful, as you can see from the image below.  This was taken from the back observation deck of the nature center.

 

 

There is a boardwalk that takes you over the wetland area here to the water tower(which has an observation deck), climbing wall, volleyball courts and playground area.

If the boardwalk is not your thing, there are alternative paths, both dirt and blacktop paths to get to the area above.

There is also a great, alternative view of the Columbus skyline from this location. 

A fun walk or biking adventure can be had by taking the blacktop path to the Scioto Mile.  Here you can get to see the restructured downtown - fountains at Scioto Mile, walk along the river, see the unique architecture of the Main Street bridge, visit COSI or eat at one of the many downtown restaurants.