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Ariel-Foundation Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,702 Google reviews · Running trail in Mt Vernon, Ohio · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Ariel-Foundation Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Sprawling, 250-acre park built on former factory grounds featuring hiking trails, a museum & lakes.
What runners say about Ariel-Foundation Park
“Recycling bins and metal signage and beautiful works of art from metal and brick are amazing.”
Ariel-Foundation Park is an extremely open areaed park designed out of the ruins of an old glass factory that used to dominate the area up until the late 90s....
I absolutely love the Ariel Foundation park. It's beautiful, serene. I love sitting on rhe swing bench and enjoy the lakes. I love walking around or going on a run. There's quite a lot of territory so it never seems boring. I like storybook trail. The tower is fun, too if you're up for the challenge.
My fiance and I stopped here on the way back home from Hocking Hills. The tower is pretty nice. The stairs don't feel rickety and there is no rust on them. If you are afraid of heights I would recommend not climbing it. You can see straight to the bottom from the top of the tower if you look through the grates.
Awesome little park. We had fun walking around and checking out all the sculptures, signd, and old steel/buildings. The kids had a lot of fun going up the stairs on the tower. We gotta check the event calendar to see what events they have. Looks like a good place to have concerts or events.
Trail conditions & character
“Also you can go to the top of the tower and get a great Ariel view but they do shut down the entrance to it around 8 or 9.”
“The park has sense been transferred from an abandoned factory to rolling hills, mounds, and lakes surrounded by artistic remains and sculptures that leave hints of the past.”
“My dog and I spent the entire afternoon exploring.”
“Huge kudos that strollers, wheelchairs, pets, kids and adults alike can enjoy this park!”
“Art from glass, concrete, steel, old building structures, even the earth itself!”
“They have several shelter houses & restroom facilities.”
“I wish there were more water fountains but there is at least one that I know of, so not too bad.”
Plan your run at Ariel-Foundation Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Phone(740) 501-9293
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–11 PM |
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