These are the top three picks for Best Park in Dayton, as voted by the people in Dayton.com’s Best of 2018 contest.
>> Best of Dayton 2018: Complete list of winners
WINNER: Carillon Park
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Carillon Historical Park is Dayton History’s 65-acre park that blends the concept of an open-air museum with a park complete with a hidden playground. Carillon has it all. Carillon is home to one of Dayton’s most recognizable landmarks, the Deeds Carillon. It’s also home to the new Brethen Tower offering a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city, a famous Wright Brothers artifact the Wright Flyer III, a carousel, a brewery, dozens of museum buildings showcasing the best of Dayton’s history and inventions, including the cash register, and more.
>> Carillon spotlighted in New York Times among world-renowned institutions
>> Carillon’s beloved train rides returning soon
Want to go?
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Situated along the Stillwater River, this 88-acre gem of the Dayton area offers beautiful formal gardens, a children’s garden and woodland walks. The Children’s Discovery Garden features a sensory garden, music maze, sandboxes, a fossil cave and waterplay. The formal gardens provide a place to play, relax and recharge any time of year. There is also a nature trail and a swamp forest.
Want to go?
1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: RiverScape MetroPark
RiverScape MetroPark is a place to relax and unwind or get active. RiverScape is a great place for a bicycle ride, as it sits at the junction of the Great Miami River and Mad River Trail, on the nation’s largest paved trail network and connects to the on-street facilities in downtown Dayton. If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one. It’s also a destination for paddlers. RiverScape River Run opens the downtown river to a beautiful seven-mile paddle from Eastwood MetroPark on the Mad River, through downtown to the Carillon Historical Park and University of Dayton area. RiverScape also is home to an ice rink, a splashpad, an inventor’s walk and a glorious view of the river and fountains. It’s the home of many summer festivals and free concerts.
Want to go?
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