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Family-Friendly Activities at Washington Park

People of all ages often enjoy spending the day at a park. Especially in Cincinnati, where the park system is currently ranked 4th out of 100 of the largest cities across the country by Trust for Public Land®, park time is a common pastime. One of the most incredible parks in Cincinnati is Washington Park. If you want to find an apartment near Washington Park, our leasing agents can help with that! Are you trying to plan a day at one of the incredible Cincinnati Parks near you? While there are many great options, learn more about why Washington Park might be the right choice for a family-friendly outing below!

5 Activities to Enjoy at Washington Park

Located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Washington Park provides plenty to do within its boundaries. However, it can also be enjoyed in conjunction with the city’s many other attractions and experiences, like seeing a show at the Cincinnati Music Hall (located directly across from the park!) or visiting Findlay Market. Whether you have just an hour or are making a day of it, here are some of the family-friendly activities at Washington Park!

  1. Check out the Children’s Playground and the sprayground. The 18,000 square foot Children’s Playground at Washington Park features a play castle, a canal boat in a stream, and a climbing wall, not to mention a sandbox, slides and more. Is it an especially hot day? Would you, your child or anyone else in your party be intrigued by the more than 100 water jets that can be transformed into a water, music and light show? If so, then you might also want to make time for the interactive water park at Washington Park.
  2. Enjoy some exercise for and playtime with your pup! Washington Park has a fenced-in dog park where you and your dog might have some fun. For your dog’s entertainment, there’s a water creek and large granite boulders to enjoy in addition to turf and gravel areas. Benches are available, so you can sit and relax while watching your pet do some laps or make some friends. Make sure to check out the rules for this area in addition to the general park rules. If this kind of experience doesn’t appeal to you or your dog, then take a walk together on one of the paved paths instead.
  3. Seek unique and local goods at Artisanfest. For the shoppers in the family, consider planning your visit to Washington Park for a Saturday for Artisanfest, when small business flea markets are taking place. In addition to a variety of vendors, these events often feature music, games and more!
  4. Attend the FC Cincinnati Pre-Match at the Park! This event at Washington Park is a family-friendly option for cheering on FC Cincinnati. Even your dog can don his team gear and join in the fun! Occurring prior to every FC Cincinnati home game during the season, the festivities include music, food trucks, games and vendors to explore.
  5. Prepare a picnic to enjoy with or without live entertainment. One of the reasons that Cincinnati’s ParkScore® is so high is because of the amenities available in the parks in and around the greater Cincinnati area. Picnic areas are not one of the 7 key park amenities that contribute to a city’s ParkScore®, though Washington Park has several others on this list like an off-leash dog park, playground, restrooms and sprayground. However, a picnic spot is sometimes the very place where all members of a family or friend group can come together to enjoy nature, tales of other park adventures and perhaps even some delicious food. In addition to a huge lawn area, which is perfect for picnic blankets and other picnic necessities, the Porch features a shaded deck area with tables and seating, games, and a concession stand that sells beverages. It’s also where Jazz at the Park takes place on Monday nights from May through October. For other opportunities for live music, exercise classes and more happening at Washington Park, check out their events.

From Winton Woods to Smale Riverfront Park, the parks in Cincinnati are one of the reasons that this city is such a good place to live! Whether you plan to visit the park with your spouse and kids, your dog and your dad, or anyone else you consider family, Washington Park is a great choice. If your most current plans are focused on picking an apartment rather than a park, contact our leasing experts today, so we can help you find the right location for your next home!