Parks & Trails - City of New Albany

Parks and Trails

A network of parks, sidewalks, and leisure trails bring life and vitality to our streets. New Albany currently has more than 80 miles of leisure trails for residents, visitors and business park employees to enjoy.

Bevelhymer Park

This 145-acre park is one of three managed by New Albany Parks & Recreation (a separate entity from the City of New Albany) and serves as the hub of its activities. Parks district offices are located here along with 32 fields for baseball, softball, soccer, football, and lacrosse. The complex also offers two tennis courts, a paved walking trail, concession stands, restroom facilities, playgrounds, Michael Lucey Memorial Basketball Courts, and the City of New Albany’s pickleball facility.

Ealy House & William Resch Park

The Ealy House is home to the New Albany Historical Society. Resch Park, located adjacent to the Ealy House, is named after our own “Nature Guy” William Resch, a lifelong educator and well-known community environmentalist.

Ratchford Fens Park

Leisure trails and a bridge are integrated into this passive open space, which is arguably one of the prettiest in New Albany. This park is nestled between the Upper Fenway and Fenway subdivisions.

Rocky Fork Metro Park

The Rocky Fork Metro Park is a 1,200+ acre park that includes running trails, horse trails, a shelter house and a playground. A partnership between New Albany, Plain Township, Franklin County Metro Parks and the City of Columbus, this park is a past Governor’s Award winner as the best parks project in the entire state. Based in large part on resident requests, New Albany City Council collaborated Metro Parks to develop, fund and build New Albany’s first dog park, which can be seen at the park’s entryway. Maintained by Metro Parks staff, this dog park is a popular destination for dog owners and their four-legged family members.

Rose Run Park

When Rose Run Park was completed in late 2019, it became a key civic asset and gathering place underscoring New Albany’s commitment to community, connectivity and the environment. Click here for more information about this transformative project and experience the virtual tour!

Swickard Woods Arboretum

This wonderful amenity is adjacent to the school learning campus, Plain Township Aquatic Center and Wexner Park. Swickard Woods Arboretum is home to 30 different kinds of trees, one of which is more than 300 years old. Naomi Swickard, a descendant of one of New Albany’s founders, and her husband Jim Fodor, sold their land to New Albany and the New Albany – Plain Township Local Schools on the condition that it would be preserved in a natural setting for the entire community to enjoy. That dream is now a reality and we invite you and your entire family to experience the Swickard Woods Arboretum. You’ll be glad you did.

Swickard Woods Nature Preserve

Nature lovers will adore this preserve, which, aside from the pond that can be seen from Fodor Road, is mostly hidden. The preserve is adjacent to the school learning campus and also very close in proximity to the Church of the Resurrection. Somewhat hidden open hours near the pond and fence-line across from Swickard Woods Park will lead you to the preserve. Follow into the unknown – you will be glad you did!

Taylor Farm Park

The Taylor Farm site, which had been a farm dating back to the 1800s, is a nearly 100-acre tract of land bounded by the Rocky Fork Creek, Dublin-Granville Road, Harlem Road and the State Route 161.

Aspects of the park now open to the public include walking trail loops with wood boardwalks, a permeable parking lot, restrooms, playground, and community garden. The playground features a rubberized play surface to provide accessibility to all abilities and consists of two play areas – one with play equipment designed for ages 2-5 and the other with equipment designed for ages 5-12.

Thompson Park

This 59-acre park is one of three managed by the New Albany Parks & Recreation (a separate entity from the City of New Albany). Amenities include tennis and basketball courts, walking trails, a playground, and seven full-size athletic fields. The open air pavilion makes a great setting for picnics and reunions.

Wexner Park

This 2.2 acre park is one of three managed by the New Albany Parks & Recreation (a separate entity from the City of New Albany). Park grounds include the Davis Commons formal lawn and the Karr Family Pergola, which are available to rent. Wexner Park is also in close proximity to the Plain Township Aquatic Park, the school learning campus and Swickard Woods.

Neighborhood Parks

Byington Park

James River Park

Lambton Park

North of Woods Park

Planter's Grove Park

Sumption Park

Parks and Trails Map

New Albany consists of more than 2,000 acres of green space and 73+ miles of leisure trails. View the map to plan your next adventure.

View Map

Park Projects

The New Albany Parks & Trails Advisory Board periodically evaluates the leisure trail system to prioritize which missing links are most important to be addressed. In order to best inform this board on the existing missing leisure trail links, city staff worked with MKSK to examine existing leisure trail gaps identified through previous trail prioritization efforts. Staff walked each gap and evaluated conditions which would influence the feasibility of extending leisure trails through the area, including gathering information on grading, natural features, potential future connections and alignment considerations. These results represent the board’s findings and most recent recommendations.

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