Alum Creek Below Dam Area

Good place to go in Central Ohio if you want to go around water. It's plenty area that you can find a place to put up and just relax

The below dam area has two great playgrounds for kids to explore and burn some energy. They have steps up to the dam, if you have the energy or a ram off to the side that is much easier for the kids. They have clean bathrooms and picnic area, that makes it very family friendly.

Here for the playground, as always, but there is a ton more here. Plenty of parking, lots of picnic tables, a shelter, restrooms, a pop machine, etc. Well worth a visit for a picnic.

There were 2 (or 3, depending on how you count) playgrounds, and Baby K loved them. Lots of variety, climbing stuff, slides, and much more. Drinking fountain nearby at a shelter. We'll be back, I'm sure.

An absolutely beautiful trail between the dam and the Out of Africa trail. At the top you get miles of just green grass and a view of Alum Creek. For Ohio, it's pretty beautiful, especially on a sunny day. There were a lot of people and it's a big enough trail width wise, but you should also be careful if you have small children because they could still fall. One side of the opened trail you can see the creek and the other side you see green grass and trees. The trail is extremely easy because it just goes straight on flat land. Definitely made for everyone! You can also bring your dogs.

Getting down to the dam requires stairs or going down the grassy hill if you're feeling adventurous. It's pretty cool and some people were even fishing! It's loud, but kind of calming at the same time.

There is a huge parking lot so I wouldn't worry about parking.

Very interesting and photographically unique. You can take pictures just looking up at people walking along the dam. It's like they're walking close to the clouds!

It's a pretty normal park. Places to BBQ, picnic tables, lots of open spaces, a playground.

You can walk all the way up the dam! One direction goes nowhere and the other leads to the beach! So we walked to the beach even in the heat and burned our calories from lunch.

It's a nice view! Great place to get some exercise!

Alum Creek Below Dam Area is a nice area. It's away from the crowds at the beach. This is a nice place for a hike or a stroll. It has a good view of the dam. There's a few clean restrooms.

I had not been to this area for awhile. It was mostly the beach. This place is kind of off the radar. It's what makes it so nice. The area has some amenities including fountains, playgrounds, and restrooms. It's all kept pretty clean. The restrooms in this area have been modernized. If you're expecting toilets that are just holes to piss in, they aren't. The view from on top of the dam is my favorite thing.

If you go to Alum Creek be sure to visit this area. It's a lot nicer than the beach. The area is kept very clean and there's some great views.

This is a great spot to get outdoors in the fresh air. There is a ton of open space for games and activities; a couple of nice playgrounds, restrooms and the dam. You can take steps to the top of the dam - high recommended - and get some great views of Alum Creek Lake. This is an Army Core of Engineers flood control dam but it's also the source of water for several local municipal water systems. There are plenty of paths and opportunities for walking or hiking either along the top of the dam or in the "below dam area".

Lots of passive recreational opportunities. Especially good views at sunset.

The Alum Creek Below Dam Area has something for everyone.

For families with kids - not one but TWO separate, yet equally awesome, playgrounds. Then there's also a huge open field for running and playing, a giant boulder for climbing and sitting and pretending to be Ariel the Little Mermaid (my daughter has dubbed it the Ariel rock for this reason), and the dam to climb up and walk along.

For couples seeking romance - talk about amazing scenic vistas. The view from the top of the dam is gorgeous. Walk all the way along for some beautiful secluded spots (most people only traverse part of the top). Views of water on one side, lovely green spaces and woodlands on the other.

For anyone wanting some exercise and time outdoors - this place is the bomb. The stairs and hillsides are fantastic for a workout. Walking or running along the top of the dam is so pretty, you'll barely notice you're getting fit.

For nature lovers - we've seen American bald eagles, cormorants, untold numbers of waterfowl and deer here. It's a lovely spot. If you're at the bottom and unimpressed, climb to the top. I promise it's worth it!

We bring all our central Ohio visitors here and they are blown away. Sunrise and sunset are particularly gorgeous, but truly it's always a "dam" good time. Okay, sorry, you knew I had to get that in there somewhere.

Seriously - get yourself to the "dam park" (as my daughter calls it) ASAP. You'll love it, too.

I love this place!! The playgrounds are open and it appears they are sanitized often. There is so much to do here. You have access to a gorgeous field to run around in and also the stairs to exercise on. I love taking my 1 year old here.

Nice spot to go for a picnic and relax. Nice lawns by the dam, good for a barbecue. The walk up the dam is nice. Saw a couple of guys fishing.

The view from the top of the dam is fabulous, the entire beach is visible.

This is an ideal summer weekend getaway.