Sharon Woods Metro Park Winter Sledding & Lake Strolls

About this adventure

Sharon Woods Metro Park in Westerville is a cherished winter gathering place for North Columbus families. When snowfall blankets the park, the expansive sledding hill near the Apple Ridge Picnic Area comes alive with joyful laughter, offering a long, smooth slope with a wide, safe deceleration field that is ideal for children of all ages. For families who prefer a peaceful winter walk, the 3.8-mile paved multipurpose trail curves gently through tall oak woods and wraps around the picturesque 11-acre Schrock Lake, where Canada geese, mallards, and winter woodpeckers can be seen against the snowy ice. Chilly walkers can warm up inside the Edward S. Thomas Nature Center, where interactive nature discovery displays, live Ohio reptiles and amphibians, and wide picture windows overlooking outdoor bird feeders keep little ones enchanted. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Paved multipurpose trails are wide, smooth, and cleared of snow; nature center entrance features level automatic doors and step-free navigation. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Heated Nature Center features quiet resting nooks with armchairs, nature reference books, and clean family restrooms with diaper changing counters. • Age Suitability: All ages; toddlers and preschoolers enjoy the lower sledding slopes and bird feeders, while older kids ride sleds from the hill's peak. • Sensory Tips: Upbeat outdoor winter sledding excitement outdoors; tranquil, warm, and naturally lit indoor wildlife viewing inside the nature center.