Mc Cullough Nature Preserve

Fun little place to explore with your dog or to take a nice walk.

McCullough Nature Preserve where did you come from?!
Smack dab in the middle of industrial Norwood is one of the most secluded and beautiful parks/​trails in all of the city. From the road this place looks like the secret garden, you have to pull back the brush and behind it is something magical.
We drove past the historic house and parking in their lot. We had lunch with us, so we took advantage of the picnic tables overlooking the garden. For a minute we may, or may not have, pretended we were in the Great Gatsby.
They also have some great hiking trails. We just browsed, but I can’t wait to go back. This place is totally underrated and I don’t know of anyone else who has ever even mentioned this place to me before. Even for a minute on your lunch break, go check this place out. Five minutes in the fresh air among these massive trees, greenery and garden will definitely freshen your day!

It’s amazing that I lived in Norwood for almost 2 years and didn’t know that this hidden gem existed. Lindner Park at the McCullough Estate is a well-​maintained little gem tucked away on the northern side of Norwood near Pleasant Ridge. When you are on Cypress you go through many beautiful old homes and this one almost dead ends (no outlet) on the left hand side. I felt like I found a secret treasure. There is a small paved parking lot down the driveway.
The highlight of this park is it’s historical structures: a huge stone swimming pool, bath house made of cypress logs, a foot bridge that looks like it came from a fairy tale, and others.
Besides the wooded setting, A very nice, shady picnic area is located at the end of the driveway near the parking lot with fairly new tables, trash cans, and a working water fountain, a small formal garden, and lovely fish pond.
The trails are fairly easy and the whole park can be explored in a couple of hours. There is a trail head to the woods beside a bench overlooking the gardens. I only hiked/​walked one. What I loved about this spot, you pass by the remnants of some old structures on the property. The trail continues on a little ways before it dips down toward the creek. The trees are very unique. Looks like a jungle gym!
I will definately return. It’s beautiful and peaceful.
From what I read from the site, The Norwood Historical Society holds meetings at the McCullough home and the Drake Planetarium hosts outdoor learning labs at the park for schools and groups.
Another great historical site in Cincinnati! I’m lucky that I live only a couple miles away from it.

This is a very nice, out-​of-​the-​way park. Until last week, I didnt even know it existed. The nature preserve, also known as Lindner Park, is on land that was formerly the McCullough Estate farm and housed the McCullough Seed Company. The big white house in front is the estate house. To the right of the house is the old spring house, and there is a small pond to the back right side of the house. There is a small garden behind the house, to the right of which is a trailhead (next to a park bench). The trail immediately forks — to the right of the fork, the trail leads to a cute bridge and the old pool and bathhouse. If you take the path farther in, you’ll come across an old J.C. McCullough Seed Co. sign. I havent taken the left side of the fork yet, but I will be heading back soon. It’s a very nice place to stop and have a picnic our go for a short hike in the woods.