Licking County, Ohio

 Enjoy golf, cycling or hiking? What about swimming, fishing, birdwatching, boating, picnicking, skiing, or just strolling a while for some fresh air? Residents in Licking County have every reason in the world to fling open their doors and get outside for recreation, from a wide selection of quality golf courses to an expansive bike path system to the lure of a 3,100-acre lake.

<b>Great Golf</b>

With 19 courses in the area‚ this part of central Ohio is a golfer’s paradise. Old and new‚ public and private‚ there’s literally almost no end of options for golfing enthusiasts. And the sport’s continued popularity‚ as well as its long history in the region‚ means high-quality play no matter what your level of expertise. Options include Johnstown's The Links at Echo Springs, a Barry Serafin-designed course featuring rolling terrain surrounded by mature hardwood forests. For those who appreciate a course rich in history,Granville Golf Course has been a staple of the local golf scene since it opened in 1924. One of the relatively newer courses, Crystal Springs Golf Course opened in 1998 and draws players from all over. Visit lccvb.net for more information on local golf options.

<b>Buckeye Lake State Park</b>

Buckeye Lake State Park - the oldest in Ohio - is popular among locals and vacationers alike, with endless possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts. The park's primary draw is the lake itself, which has nine launch ramps. Although it is classified as an unlimited horsepower lake, pontoons, sailboats, canoes and rowboats are welcome. There are two public swimming areas open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus two boat-swim areas are offered. Besides boating, fishing and swimming, activities fill the calendar year round. Picnickers and birdwatchers also enjoy the park during warmer weather months. When temperatures drop and conditions permit, the park draws winter wanderers for ice boating, ice skating, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. Visit dnr.state.oh.us for more information.

<b>Happy Trails to You</b>

Cyclists, joggers, walkers and skaters delight in Licking County's well-developed recreational trail system, which stretches for 38.7 miles through scenic landscape from the east in Hanover into Newark, to the west past Granville and Alexandria and into the northwest portion of the county, ending in Johnstown. Bikers seeking a long ride prefer the section from Cherry Valley Road in east Granville northwest to Johnstown, which provides a 28-mile round-trip adventure on a straight path dotted with rare wildflowers.  There are plenty of interesting stops, as well, such as the Black Hand Nature Preserve in Toboso near Hanover and the Evans Wildwood Park that features an impressive playground, just west of Granville. Visit www.trail2health.org to download a trail map that is complete with similar tips and user/safety recommendations.