Ault Park

What a gem! If there was such a thing as a park complex, Ault Park would be it. It is as if there are parks within the park. There is a little something for everyone.

The most unique feature is the garden area. Built a few short years before World War I. It's easy to imagine women in their large hats and dresses, and men in their three piece suits strolling around the gardens. Men tipping their hats as they pass another person. Today the area is filled with sounds of children playing. Flower beds, a gazebos, grand staircases, and well tailored greenery are frequently used as backdrops by photographers. On our visit there were three separate groups taking pictures. The area is paved which makes it easy for those with mobility issues.

Hiking trails were what surprised me the most. I knew of the garden area, but I didn't realize how serious the trais are. Many of the trails branch off from, or intersect one another. Most of our time was spent on the Tree Trail, and on the Forest Loop Trail. ln the spring, those trails are flanked by lush foliage. We saw a halk soaring, a woodpecker pecking, a multitude of other birds, and a chipmunk that was smaller that the palm of my hand. A stream snakes it's way through various parts of the trails. Due to the thick canopy, the trails can be quite muddy. There were some parts of the Forest Loop Trail that were tricky (yet manageable,) with a younger hiker. Not recommended for those with mobility issues. All were in agreement that another trip is necessary to explore more of the trails.

If all this wasn't enough, there is also a playground. While closed at the time of our visit due to COVID-19, the park looks to be a decent size. Bathrooms are located in the vicinity. (Not sure if they are open yet.)

Ault Park is like three parks in one. A Park complex if you will. Levi A. Ault created this space as a gift to the people of Cincinnati. His gift and legacy continue to be enjoyed over 100 years after it's creation.

I absolutely love this park - it is huge, and the views are gorgeous (especially at sunset from the pavilion).

There are a few different flower garden areas, and large areas of well managed grass. Perfect for walking around with family and friends, or taking a stroll on your own!

It's very picturesque.

Visiting Ault Park I was struck by its pletora of beautiful gardens!

There are lots of quiet places to sit with benches, and parking is free and easy :-)

Over and above the gardens, there are quite a number of small lizards and birds all around; the overall effect is to make this park seem like its setting is a lot more rural than the reality of its urban setting.

It's totally worth taking a bit of time to check this place out if you find yourself in the area!

Not going to lie, the first time I went to Ault Park, I was not impressed. Maybe because it was the very first park that I visited in Cincinnati and to me a park meant it should have a solid playground - of which I had not seen - and places to play sports.

Since then I have frequented Ault Park and slowly but surely seen all it has to offer:
- the pavilion has stellar sunrise/sunset views. It also hosts many weddings - beware on Saturday evenings.
- there is a variety of flora and little garden. Be sure to stop by and see the cherry blossoms end of March/early April!
- there are hiking trails to the left and right of the Northern entrance
- wide space in the middle, great for picnics (but no dogs or sports!)
- body weight exercise machines on a newer loop
- playground for smaller children near the Southern entrance

I've enjoyed hammocking in the forest and in some tree groves. I went sledding in the winter (not the best hills, but they do). I've watched a foggy sunrise or two that overlooked Otto Armleder memorial park. I watched the fireworks here on the fourth, along with a large chunk of the Cincinnati neighborhood.

It's a wonderful park. It's just not a park to come play sports at. More a walking and relaxing park.

This was a park we visited and truly enjoyed. It is a lovely space with sweeping views of the city. We spent time at the pavilion where we went to the top of it, along with taking photos of everything below.

After getting coffee in the area, a quick Google search for parks presented my husband and I with Ault Park. We ended up sitting here for about three hours l, just drinking our coffee under a pergola and enjoying the beautiful view of the river.

Although we mostly stayed in our own little quiet corner of the park, we did walk around a bit and saw that there were trails and a playground available. There was also a spot where you could watch airplanes land and take off. Our kids weren't with us on this trip, but I know they would have loved it too.

Ault park popped up on my Instagram feed with the most gorgeous cherry blossoms! I have visited Cincinnati a few times previously but mostly stayed in the city and honestly did not know something like this was here! This was a great day trip drive from Indianapolis and totally worth it! The park was absolutely beautiful with both lots of paved roads and hiking trails to walk on.

There were a few parking lots but had plenty of street parking. The 2 main areas with cherry blossom trees were just stunning and we really lucked out with the gorgeous spring weather. Although there were a lot of people visiting the day we went, it did not feel crowded at all and we were able to enjoy the outdoors with plenty of space. I can't wait to come back again in the future!

It's a nice park, i came here just for the cherry blossom. It's beautiful, though some of it is dried out probably due to the recent code weather. The park seems very popular, people in their wedding dresses are coming here for photo, and kids are playing, there is also a Asian food sharing station today, which is quite interesting. It's a little far from home, but worth the drive.

Wedding Day at Ault Park.

What a great park and a great venue for any celebration. Weather was perfect and the view at the top of the hill was exceptional. Cincinnati should be proud to have this type of venue.

What a blissful spot! We drove from Dayton to check out this park and we will definitely venture back.

We first hiked a trail where the trailhead was in the parking lot. I saw a few other trailheads on the way in that we will check out in the future. Once you get into the woods it's hard to believe you are in the middle of a city area. It's so peaceful. My only complaint is that the trails were poorly marked so it was hard to know which way to go. Thankfully I had turned my gps map on so we were able to figure it out.

Once we got out we walked up to the fountain area and walked to the top of that. There were some good views but even better, there was a water fountain that actually works and has clean cold water!!
I would love to come back in the fall to see how pretty it is!