We are fortunate here in central Ohio to have a great Metro Parks system that is strongly supported by the community. The Metro Parks system was originally established in 1945, and today is made up of 16 parks with more than 175 miles of trails, 26,000 acres of land and water in 7 central Ohio counties. Each year more than 6 million people visit the parks to escape the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives to discover and experience nature. For nature photographers, it’s wonderful to have all these parks with almost unlimited photographic opportunities available without having to travel very far! In today’s post I feature images from Slate Run Metro Park and Inniswood Metro Gardens.
The image above is of a restored 1800’s era covered bridge in Slate Run Metro Park taken in the fall. With the name “Slate Run” you’d think that the land beneath the park was slate rock, but the early settlers mistook the dark soil for slate. It’s actually shale, a softer rock made from clay deposited millions of years ago. The park covers 1,705 acres and has about 12 miles of trails that take you through open fields, forests, ravines and grasslands. The park also features the Slate Run Living Historical Farm where visitors can learn about and help with chores on a working 1880’s farm. To find out more about Slate Run Metro Park, visit their website here.
Below is an image from Inniswood Metro Gardens and is taken from inside the Herb Hut looking out into the surrounding herb garden. I like the picture within a picture effect of this composition as you look through the circular window covered with vines out into the surrounding garden. It reminds me of the round doors and windows of the Shire in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional Middle-earth described in his “Lord of the Rings” novels.
Inniswood Metro Gardens is set within a scenic nature preserve and features many special gardens filled with beautifully landscaped flowerbeds, rock gardens and lawns. The park boasts more than 2,000 species of plants, specialty collections of hostas, daffodils, daylilies, and several theme gardens including the rose, herb, and woodland rock garden. To find out more about Inniswood Metro Gardens, visit their website here.
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