Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum

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The Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum (LOUA)

An arboretum is a “garden of trees” – to study, to build a sustainable environment, and to enjoy.

The Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum is located in historic Clintonville on the north side of Columbus, Ohio. It is bounded by the Olentangy River on the west, Glen Echo Ravine on the south, Walhalla Ravine on the north, and the CSX Railroad tracks on the east.

Over the last decade, hundreds of native trees and shrubs have been planted on tree lawns throughout the Arboretum area, and select trees are marked along two tree walks (see maps below).

The ultimate goal is to grow a diverse, dense canopy of native species, connecting the ecological spaces along the Olentangy River and Glen Echo and Walhalla Ravines.

Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum Walk Maps

Printed maps can usually be found at the Arboretum kiosk, located by the Indianola Informal K-8 School parking lot, across from the School, at 251 East Weber Road, Columbus, OH 43202. Sometimes we run out of maps – let us know (jbkrygier@owu.edu) and we can print more, or you can print your own from the maps below.

The maps can be printed full size on legal or tabloid-sized paper (8.5″ x 14″ or 11″ x 17″) at Office Max, Staples, FedEx/Kinkos, etc. Save the map on a flash drive. You can also print the maps on legal or regular size paper on an inkjet or laser printer (click for full size, then click and drag to desktop or save the file if you want a copy).

In some cases, the markers may be damaged or missing. Let us know.

Indianola Walk Map: 3/4 mile walk. Update July 6, 2019:

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Glen Echo Walk Map: 3-mile walk. Update July 10, 2015:

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Boundaries of Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum

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Benefits of the Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum

• Enhanced social and ecological neighborhood
• Encourage collaboration among neighbors to develop the arboretum
• Encourage field study of trees by students in local K-12 schools and universities
• Reduce storm run-off into the Glen Echo and Walhalla Ravines
• Reduce storm run-off onto streets and into the City of Columbus sewer system
• Connect the ravines via a tree canopy to benefit wildlife
• Reduce home heating and cooling costs (save 15% to 35% on energy bills)
• Traffic calming: 3 to 15 mph speed reduction anticipated on residential streets
• Reduce tailpipe emissions: street trees absorb 9 times more pollutants than distant trees
• Increased tax base – home values increase on tree lined street 12 cents on the dollar
• Longer pavement life: 40 to 60% more life to asphalt. Decreases the daily heating and cooling (expansion/contraction)