Take a Hike!

By Mary Casey-Sturk

If someone tells you to “take a hike”, there’s no need to be offended anymore. Taking a hike, or even a walk outside is a great way to be active and Indian Hill is fortunate to have many places that will not only help you get some exercise but will also put you in touch with nature and history.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the benefits of regular brisk walking include preventing or managing various conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes; walking improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens your bones and muscles; improves your mood, cognition, memory and sleep and walking is known to help reduce stress and tension.

Getting Outside

Forested areas are often ideal for walking, especially on warm days when they provide a cooling canopy cover.  Whitacre Park (on Given Road between Shawnee Run and Kugler Mill Road) has many wooded hills as well as meadows with a walking trail. The trail is a rugged 3/4 of a mile long with a shredded bark base. Bridle trails begin at this park and connect to the Village bridle trails. 

Radio Range Park (Indian Hill Road) offers walking trails and a covered picnic shelter-should you decide that a snack is in order after your workout. The land for this park was conveyed to Indian Hill by the National Park Service’s Federal Lands to Parks Program in 1972. 

NPS.gov shares, “The Federal Lands to Parks program helps communities to acquire, reuse and protect surplus federal properties for local parks and recreation. States, counties, and communities may acquire federal land and buildings no longer needed by the federal government at no cost on condition they are protected for public parks and recreation. Since its inception in 1949, this program has transferred about 184,000 acres of land to state and local governments for parks and recreation use.”

For the Birds

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (2021), about 45 million Americans are birders. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans took to the outdoors in search of exercise and to de-stress, this led to a record number of people heading to parks, many of whom wanted to learn more about nature all around them, including birds. Bird books in hand (or an app on their phone, such as the Merlin Bird ID), help birders of all levels identify our fine feathered friends.

At the intersection of Shawnee Run and Drake Road, you will find the Bird Sanctuary. A respite for birds and people, the Bird Sanctuary (with the support of generous donors) has been planted with many plant species designed to attract birds. A birdbath fountain and a myriad of ornamental trees and shrubs are doing their magic and it’s a great place to relax on a bench and enjoy nature.

Bonnell Park (8650 Camargo Road) is home to the Indian Hill Historical Society as well as parkland. Another donation to Indian Hill, this park has both rolling land and a wooded hillside. Lovely gardens attract both humans and bluebirds who enjoy visiting.

Twenty-seven donated acres and a paved walking trail await you at Rheinstrom Park. This park contains wonderful specimen trees and a highly successful Blue Bird Trail. Perfect for birders, walkers, and families.  8105 Graves Rd.

Other parks include Camp Dennison Memorial Park, Camp Livingston, Drake Park, and Stephan Field, as well as Grand Valley Preserve and Rowe Arboretum. 

Reader’s Favorites

Indian Hill Living Magazine asked readers about their favorite parks and here are some replies.

Eric Bass shares, “Walking on the rocks along the Little Miami River at Camp Dennison Memorial Park is so peaceful and relaxing.”

“Red Bird Hollow”, states Lesa Marie Lynch Cacaro, “it’s peaceful and beautiful year-round. I love being able to take my dog off-leash so he can explore the woods and splash in the creek. I don’t mind other people’s dogs because it’s a joy to see them being free and playful.” Cacara adds, “My border collie starts pacing in the backseat and whimpering when we get close because he loves it there, and so do I. There’s been great renovations to the lower part of the trail where it begins on Given Road and the trail is so much easier to walk with the smaller gravel. I’m looking forward to the whole thing being redone because it’s a great little getaway where you feel like you’re in the woods.”

Denise DiMartino concurs, “Red Bird Hollow. Simply because from childhood I walked every path several times in Indian Hill, but Red Bird Hallow seems to carry you away as if in a dream of memories. Pulling you back to childhood.”

For more information about area parks, their history, trail conditions, closures and regulations, visit www.indianhill.gov and www.indianhill.org.

Image: Red Bird Hollow, by Lesa Marie Lynch Cacaro.