Parks & Outdoor Recreation in Brunswick & Brunswick Hills, Ohio
Some of the best things about Brunswick and Brunswick Hills don't have an address. They have a trailhead.
I'm Lisa Nickel, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty who has called Brunswick Hills home since 2005. This guide covers the parks, nature preserves, playgrounds, and trails worth knowing, spread across the city, the township, and the Medina County park properties that sit within them. The parks themselves are free to visit, close by, and good in every season.
Find Your Park
Not sure where to start? Jump straight to the activity you're looking for.
Scenic Walks & Nature
Lake loops, boardwalks, a nature center, and a sandstone ledge hike.
See DetailsPlaygrounds
An inclusive playground and neighborhood play spots across the city.
See DetailsPickleball & Sports
Six outdoor courts at Neura, plus fields and courts city-wide.
See DetailsFishing
Catch-and-release lakes in the city parks, no license required.
See DetailsDog-Friendly Outings
An off-leash dog park, county trails, and the six-foot leash rule.
See DetailsTrails & Greenway
The Plum Creek Greenway and the Brunswick Lake loop.
See DetailsWhat to do, park by park
Scenic Walks & Nature
- Brunswick Lake Park: an easy one-mile loop around the lake, with boardwalks
- Susan Hambley Nature Center: nature programs in a wooded setting at the lake
- Princess Ledges Nature Preserve (Brunswick Hills, county park): a wooded hike along sandstone ledges
- Rolling Hills (Brunswick City): nature trails around a lake
Playgrounds
- Neura Park: inclusive playground built in 2022
- Neighborhood parks across the city: Boston Knoll, Bridgeport, James, Pepperwood, Pumpkin Ridge, and others
Pickleball & Sports
- Neura Park: six outdoor pickleball courts
- Hopkins Park: soccer field and basketball court
- Sports fields and courts appear across the community and neighborhood parks
Fishing
- Brunswick Lake and other city park lakes: catch and release, no license required in city waters (check current rules before you go)
- Rolling Hills: lake fishing in a quiet setting
Dog-Friendly Outings
- City Dog Park on Cross Creek Drive: a .75-acre off-leash area
- Plum Creek Park (Brunswick Hills, county park): trail access in a county park setting (check the county's dog rules)
- Leash rule: six feet or shorter outside designated off-leash areas
Trails & Greenway Connections
- Plum Creek Greenway: connects Plum Creek Park to Mooney Park, then extends to Brunswick Lake
- The Brunswick Lake loop connects to the nature center, Southlake neighborhood, and Brunswick Town Center
Featured Destinations
Four places locals send people first, each worth a visit in its own right.
Brunswick Lake Park
Seventy-nine acres of woodlands wrapped around the lake, with a one-mile walking trail and two boardwalks that carry you right out over the water. It's the kind of place where a quick walk easily becomes an hour: trees of maple, ash, oak, and beech, wildflowers along the trail, and wildlife from ducks and frogs to deer and birds. The loop connects to the Susan Hambley Nature Center, the Southlake neighborhood, and the shopping and dining at Brunswick Town Center. Fishing in the lake is catch and release, with no license required.
Official park pageSusan Hambley Nature Center
Nestled in the trees at Brunswick Lake, the nature center is operated by the Medina County Park District in partnership with the city. Built in 2008 and named in memory of Brunswick resident and Councilwoman Susan Hambley, it's a quiet, welcoming place to learn about the plants and wildlife around the lake. It sits right on the lake loop, making it an easy stop before or after a walk.
Official park pageNeura Park
Brunswick's oldest park, at 4637 Center Road, and home to the inclusive playground that opened in 2022. The playground was designed so children of all abilities can play together, with rubber surfacing and equipment that encourages everyone to join in. The park also has six outdoor pickleball courts and a large parking area. If you plan to play pickleball, it's worth confirming whether nets and equipment are available when you arrive.
Official park page
Princess Ledges Nature Preserve
A county park tucked into the township at 4361 Spruce Avenue, where a wooded property hides sandstone ledges stretching more than 1,100 feet. Two trails cross the preserve: the Ledges Trail (about a half mile) follows the base of the rock formations, and the Nature Trail (about a mile) makes a longer loop through the woods. Both are moderate and shaded, and the preserve is a known spring birding spot. There's a paved parking area on site, and dogs are welcome on a leash per the county.
Official park pageMore Brunswick City Parks
The city maintains 23 park sites totaling 335 acres, from large community parks to small neighborhood playgrounds. These are the ones worth knowing beyond the featured four.
City Dog Park (Cross Creek Drive)
A 17-acre property with a .75-acre fenced, off-leash area for dogs. Dogs must be on a leash six feet or shorter except in designated off-leash areas like the Dog Park.
Heritage Farm (Laurel Road)
A historic site with walking trails, picnic tables, and wildlife viewing, and home to the Brunswick Area Historical Society's museum.
Hopkins Park
A community park with a playground, pavilion, picnic area, soccer field, and basketball court.
Mooney Park
A community park with sports fields, and one end of the Plum Creek Greenway trail.
Rolling Hills
A community park with nature trails, a lake for catch-and-release fishing, a playground, and tennis and basketball courts.
North Park
A neighborhood park connected to Boston Knoll by a forested walkway.
Neighborhood playground parks
Boston Knoll, Bridgeport, James, Pepperwood, and Pumpkin Ridge each serve their part of the city with play equipment and open space. Huntington Circle and Shenandoah Park round out the list.
Brunswick Hills & County Parks
Two of the area's best outdoor destinations sit in Brunswick Hills Township, operated by the Medina County Park District.
Plum Creek Park
A scenic county park built on the site of the former township landfill, transformed into open space with trails and a pond. The park has two sides: North at 2390 Plum Creek Parkway and South at 2500 Plum Creek Parkway. It's a county park in the township, so dogs follow county park rules; check the county's site before you go.
Official park pagePlum Creek Greenway
The greenway is the trail that ties the system together. It was built in phases: the first section opened in 2022 connecting Plum Creek Park to Mooney Park, a second phase added a bridge over Plum Creek and a trailhead north of Laurel Road, and the third phase, completed in 2025, extended the trail to Brunswick Lake. The completed route now links the county park, the city's park system, and the lake loop, and is shared by walkers, runners, and cyclists.
Official park pagePractical Information
The rules that keep these parks welcoming for everyone, worth knowing before you go.
Hours & Restrictions
City and county parks each post their own rules. For city parks, check the City of Brunswick parks page or call the Recreation Center at 330-273-8000. For county properties like Princess Ledges and Plum Creek, check the Medina County Park District site.
Leash Rule
Dogs must be on a leash six feet or shorter except in designated off-leash areas. The city's Dog Park on Cross Creek Drive is a fenced off-leash area.
Fishing
City park lakes are catch and release, with no license required and a two-line limit. These rules apply to city park lakes only; county park waters follow separate county rules. Always check current fishing regulations before fishing.
Reservations
Pavilions and facilities can be reserved through the Recreation Center at 3637 Center Road for a fee. Payment is due at least two weeks ahead and is non-refundable; unreserved facilities are first-come, first-served. See the city's reservations page for details.
Access & Fees
General access to the parks themselves is free, but some reservations, programs, and amenities may carry fees. Confirm details with the relevant authority.
Trail Conditions
Some nature trails are unpaved and can be muddy after rain; the lake loop is an easy, level walk. Trail conditions vary with the season, so check with the park authority if you have concerns.
FAQs
What are the best parks in Brunswick?
Four stand out: Brunswick Lake Park, Princess Ledges Nature Preserve, Neura Park, and the Susan Hambley Nature Center. Each offers something different, from an easy lake loop to a wooded hike along the ledges.
Is Brunswick Lake Park good for walking?
Yes: a one-mile loop with two boardwalks around the lake, and it connects to the nature center and Brunswick Town Center.
Can you fish at Brunswick Lake?
Yes. City park lakes are catch and release, with no license required and a two-line limit. Check current rules before you fish.
Is the Neura Park playground accessible?
The inclusive playground, built in 2022, was designed for children of all abilities to play together.
Where can I play pickleball in Brunswick?
Neura Park has six outdoor pickleball courts. Confirm equipment availability before you go, and check with the Rec Center if you're looking for indoor play.
Are the parks free?
General access to Brunswick's parks is free. Some reservations, programs, and amenities may carry fees, and the Recreation Center requires a membership.
Are dogs allowed at Brunswick parks?
Dogs are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside designated off-leash areas. The city Dog Park on Cross Creek Drive has a fenced .75-acre off-leash area, and Plum Creek Park in Brunswick Hills follows county park rules.
What is the Plum Creek Greenway?
A trail that connects Plum Creek Park to Mooney Park and extends to Brunswick Lake, built in phases through 2025.
Where is Princess Ledges?
4361 Spruce Avenue in Brunswick Hills, a Medina County Park District preserve.
Which parks are best for kids?
Neura Park's inclusive playground is the standout, and the neighborhood parks (Boston Knoll, Bridgeport, James, Pepperwood, Pumpkin Ridge) have play equipment close to where families live.
Make Brunswick home
Brunswick and Brunswick Hills don't have a single famous landmark, and that's part of the charm: the outdoor life here is made of everyday places, the lake loop, the ledges, the ballfields, the greenway, that people return to week after week.
If you're new to the area, the Moving Guide covers the practical side of life here, and the Neighborhoods Guide profiles the subdivisions across the city and township. For everything else beyond the parks, the Things to Do guide has the full rundown, and the Local Events page tracks what's happening season to season. And when you're ready to make Brunswick home, I'd love to help you find a place close to your favorite trail. Get in touch whenever you're ready to start the conversation.