Shelter & Facility Rentals
All open picnic shelters in the parks are available daily on a first-come basis at no charge.
Shelters are meant for private, non-commercial use only. Gatherings of family and friends, group/church/company picnics are welcome. Bouncy houses or other large set-ups, advertising, soliciting, vendors, and/or food trucks are not permitted.
When possible, to prevent animals from spreading food and trash from waste bins before one of our park technicians gets back to the park, please take trash with you.
Virginia Bluebells | Nature Connection
Cross Mound Park
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11615 16th Rd SW
Stoutsville
Electricity: No
Bathrooms: No
Description: This shelter has four 14′ picnic tables and will seat approximately 28-32 people.
Access: There is no paved path from the parking lot.
Things to Do: There is plenty of flat green space near the shelter for playing yard games or even setting up additional tables and chairs. Your guests can explore Salt Creek, the WPA Pedestrian Bridge, and a short trek to Cross Mound.
Lockville Canal Park
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5895 Pickerington Rd
Carroll
Electricity: No
Bathrooms: No
Description: This shelter has four 8′ picnic tables and will seat approximately 24-32 people.
Access: There is no paved path from the parking lot.
Things to Do: There is plenty of flat green space near the shelter for playing games or even setting up additional tables and chairs. Walk through or on top of the remains of three Ohio & Erie Canal locks. Stroll the tow path or the now-dry canal bed and imagine what life may have been like in the late 1800s. Examine the structure of Hartman No 2 Covered Bridge. Enjoy the other picnic areas among the trees.
Mambourg Park
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5531 Cincinnati-Zanesville Rd NE (US-22)
Lancaster
Electricity: Yes
Bathrooms: No
Access: There is a graveled path from the parking lot.
Things to Do: Visit the nature center (open most Fridays-Saturdays from 10am-2pm) and walk the 1.5-mile-long Hickory Trail and 1-mile-long Oak Trail (no pets).
Sensory Trail Park
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College Ave (near OU-Lancaster, behind Forest Rose School)
Lancaster
Electricity: No
Bathrooms: No
Description: This shelter has four 8′ picnic tables and will seat approximately 24-32 people. Charcoal grills are available next to the shelter.
Access: There is a paved path from the parking lot.
Things to Do: Very close to downtown Lancaster, this is an excellent place for a business luncheon or afternoon meeting away from the office. The short Sensory Trail connects to the Lancaster bike path. Outdoor musical instruments and a wheelchair-accessible treehouse gives the children special places to play.
Smeck Park
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7395 Basil Rd
Baltimore
Electricity: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes, Permanent Restrooms (non-potable water)
Description: This shelter has eight 8′ picnic tables and will seat approximately 48-64 people. A charcoal grill is adjacent to the shelter.
Access: There is no paved path from the parking lot.
Things to Do: The beautiful open-air picnic shelter patterned after Rock Mill Covered Bridge is a perfect venue for family reunions and special occasions. The location is especially convenient for residents of Baltimore, Carroll, Pickerington and Canal Winchester and only 15-20 minutes from Lancaster proper.
Zeller Park
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8475 Benadum Rd
Carroll
Electricity: No
Bathrooms: Portable Outhouse, during summer months
Description: This shelter has six 8′-long picnic tables and will seat approximately 48-64 people.
Access: There is a paved path from the parking lot. It is flat and wheelchair accessible.
Things to Do: The beautiful open-air picnic shelter patterned after Rock Mill Covered Bridge is a perfect venue for family reunions and special occasions. The location is especially convenient for residents of Baltimore, Carroll, Pickerington and Canal Winchester and only 15-20 minutes from Lancaster proper. There is plenty of flat green space near the shelter for playing games or even setting up additional tables and chairs. A playground and swing set is on site. Soccer goals are on site so bring your soccer balls or bring your footballs, badminton or volleyball sets, baseball gear or other yard games to enjoy during your event.
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