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All Out Nature


         Columbus also has excitement for
      mountain bikers. You’ll want to check
      out the Standing Boy Trails in northwest
      Columbus for hiking and biking trails, some
      shared, some not, ranging from easy paths
      with gentle climbs and descents to trails
      with very difficult steep slopes, unavoidable
      obstacles, narrow squeezes, bermed turns,
      large rollers, jumps, and other terrain
      variations. Check out standingboy.org
      for details.                       Fetch Dog Park
         Not everyone wants their outdoor
      experience to feel frantic, however,   leads down to beautiful Wrens Pond. This trail
      so Columbus offers a lot of laid-back   is perfect for biking, strollers, wheelchairs,
      experiences as well. Instead of riding the   and walkers. Looking for something more
      rapids, how about stepping out on a paddle   off the beaten path? Then trek down Oxbow
      board on the Chattahoochee’s flatwater   Meadows’ Wetland Trails to docks overlooking
      stretches? Paddle board instruction from   ponds and wetland environments. With
      experienced guides is available, and there   amazing wildlife areas, you never know what
      are even paddle board yoga classes.   you may see!
         Bikers will certainly enjoy two-     Another great trail is the one-mile JoAnn
      wheeling it leisurely on the 15-mile paved   Holt Walking Trail at the Columbus Botanical
      Chattahoochee RiverWalk that hugs the   Garden. A diverse array of native songbirds
      banks of the river. The RiverWalk provides   can be heard among the trees in the mixed
      a delightful blend of cityscapes and   hardwood forest. You can also meander
      naturescapes. From the RiverWalk, you can   through several gardens on the property,
      extend your ride on the 11-mile Fall Line   admiring the flowers and foliage.
      Trace rails-to-trails path, all of which is part      Exploring the outdoors in Columbus can
      of Columbus’ expansive local trail system   do a lot to boost your physical and emotional
      known as The Dragonfly. You can rent a bike   wellness, no matter whether you like it fast
      or bring your own.               and furious or slow and easy. So go all out
         Hikers and walkers have their own   and get outside!
      spaces to get in their steps. Certainly the
      Standing Boy Trails have hiking trails of
      varying intensities and the Chattahoochee
      RiverWalk is great for strolling, especially
      after dining at one of Uptown’s chef-driven
      restaurants. Other wonderful options for
      enjoying nature are the trails at Oxbow
      Meadows Environmental Learning Center.
      The one-mile, paved trail down to Wrens
      Pond is a scenic walk that overlooks
      wetlands, detours into the Audubon Bird   Oxbow Meadows Environmental
                                         Learning Center
      Garden, passes by Historic Westville, and
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