Spring is the perfect time to step outside, breathe in the fresh air and get moving!
Spending time outdoors isn’t just refreshing, it’s been proven to reduce stress, boost mood, and improve overall health.
With countless opportunities to stay active while surrounded by nature, Cincinnati Parks are the perfect place to prioritize your well-being. So why not make our city’s blooming parks your go-to wellness destination this season?
Here are nine fun and energizing ways to nurture your body and mind this spring:
1. Find Your Flow with Outdoor Yoga
Take your yoga practice outdoors and embrace the fresh spring air. Thanks to funding from the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Burnet Woods is the site for weekly outdoor yoga sessions with World Peace Yoga, providing a serene escape from the city’s hustle. Practicing among the trees can help you feel grounded and refreshed whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yogi.
2. Pick Up Pickleball at Sawyer Point
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., and Cincinnati has embraced the trend, thanks to fundraising from Pickleball at Sawyer Point and Cincinnati Parks Foundation! Head to Sawyer Point to enjoy a game at the public courts. It’s a great way to get moving, meet new people and have fun.
3. Shoot Some Hoops at Eden Park
Love basketball? There are multiple public courts in Cincinnati Parks, including the one at Tom Jones Commons in Eden Park, where you can play a game with friends or practice solo. It’s a fantastic cardio workout that improves coordination and endurance.
4. Take a Walk with Cincy Girls Who
Looking for a fun and social way to stay active? Cincy Girls Who hosts group walks in different parks, making it easy to meet new people while getting in some steps. Walking is a low-impact exercise that boosts mood and cardiovascular health.
📍 Various Cincinnati Parks
🔗 @cincygirlswho
5. Join a Local Running Group
If you’re a runner (or want to become one), joining a local running group can keep you motivated. Riviera Run is one of the many running communities in Cincinnati that meet up for group runs in scenic parks. Running outdoors can help clear your mind and strengthen your body. Not yet a runner? Riveria Run welcomes walkers, too! Part of the fun is just being outside together.
6. Experience Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is the practice of immersing yourself in nature to promote relaxation and mindfulness. The Osher Center for Integrative Health and Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library offer guided forest bathing experiences every Monday at noon in Burnet Woods. Let the peaceful surroundings calm your mind and refresh your spirit.
7. Skate at Sawyer Point Riverfront Rink
Strap on your skates at Sawyer Point Riverfront Rink! Roller skating is a fun way to stay active, improve balance and experience pure joy. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s a great way to move while enjoying riverfront views. (Take a look at Skate Downtown Cincy’s schedule of events, funded by Cincinnati Parks Foundation.)
8. Use Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Take your workout outdoors! Parks like Lytle, Smale and Ault Park feature outdoor fitness equipment that you can use for strength training, stretching and bodyweight exercises. It’s a free and refreshing way to get fit.
📍 Lytle Park, Smale Riverfront Park, Ault Park
9. Go on a Spring Wildflower Walk 🌸
Embrace the beauty of spring by joining a Spring Wildflower Walk led by Cincinnati Parks staff. Learn about local plant life while getting some fresh air and light exercise. Walking through fields of blooming flowers is a natural mood booster!
📍 Various Cincinnati Parks
🔗 @cincyparks
No matter how you choose to move, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and soak in the beauty of the season. Step outside, take a deep breath and let Cincinnati Parks be your sanctuary for wellness this spring!