Cincinnati’s Ault Park – Everything You Need to Know About It!

Laura Williams

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Photo by Sean Foster on Unsplash

Ault Park, located between the wealthy neighborhoods of Mt. Lookout and Hyde Park, is one of Cincinnati’s most scenic and well-acclaimed parks. In addition, it is one of the most visited parks in the city.

Its 220 acres include several miles of hiking paths, walking trails, playground areas, and picnic spaces. The park also has:

  • A lovely botanical garden.
  • A café.
  • Plenty of places to relax on a seat and enjoy being outside in the fresh air.

A Brief Overview of Ault Park’s History

In honor of Ida May Ault and her husband Levi Addison Ault, who served as a previous Park Commissioner and played an essential part in constructing the Cincinnati Parks system, Ault Park was named.

After donating 142 acres to the parks system in 1911, the park grew to its current size of 224 acres thanks to nine further acquisitions by the city.

In 1930, a big pavilion in the center of the park was constructed, which is still used today for weddings, dances, and other private events.

In 1980, the Cincinnati Park Board developed an adopt-a-plot program at Ault Park, in which citizens were assigned to “adopt” a plot in the garden area and provide ongoing maintenance and upkeep. The program is still in effect today and continues to be extremely popular year after year.

Greater Cincinnati Tree Council dedicated a tree nursery called “Tree for Your Road Arboretum” in 1985. At the moment, this tree grove encompasses the whole perimeter of the gardens in the heart of the park, and it provides the general public with a collection of tree species that are now recommended for the greater Cincinnati area.

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As one of the most attractive parks in the city, Ault Park is the site of various activities throughout the year, including a huge 4th of July celebration and fireworks display, a summer music series, and an exotic vehicle showcase show, among others.

Ault Park – A Comprehensive Visual Guide

The following photographs provide a visual tour of Ault Park, highlighting the hiking trails, the Pavilion, and the garden area, among other features.

Trails for Hiking

The amazing network of interweaving hiking paths in the park is one of the park’s most popular features, drawing in many tourists.

The paths provide some fantastic hiking opportunities through densely wooded areas with streams and bridges to cross.

Additionally, there is lots of wildlife in the area, including toads, tree frogs, salamanders, chipmunks, deer, rabbits, foxes, and various birds. Toads are the most common species in the area.

One does not have to travel very far to feel as though one has entered an entirely new universe.

The Lovely Gardens

A vast botanical garden area is located in the heart of the park and offers plenty of open space as well as a diverse collection of flowers and other plants.

Paved walking routes thread their way around the garden, making it simple to move across the space and appreciate the various flowers and plants on display.

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The Stunning Pavilion

The Pavilion, located near the garden area and provides a 360-degree view of the park, is well worth visiting.

Ault Park is Worth Visiting!

Ault Park offers something for everyone, whether you are looking to go hiking, have a picnic, or relax in a peaceful setting with a good book in hand.

If you want to visit the park, it is located at 5090 Observatory Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208. More information on the park, including events at various times throughout the year, can be found at Cincinnati Parks.

Public access to the park is free of charge, and it is available year-round, seven days a week from sunrise to dark.

Find more great nature oases in our Parks, Garden and Nature Centre Guide

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