Olander Park

Olander Park                                                                                                                         29 July 2021

NEW EXPERIENCES 

I had recently committed to working out, after hating what I saw in the mirror and finally wanting to change that. And like the responsible adult that I am, I decided to get a gym membership. Getting a gym membership was one of the best and scariest investments I have ever made.

I had never really participated in many "land" sports growing up. I had tried out many different sports ranging from softball and soccer to dance and gymnasts, yet, I didn't stick with any that required hand-eye coordination or rhythm and balance. Therefore, I began to dive into competitive swim. Swim became my life up until college, where I no longer loved the sports like I once did. So I stopped. I stopped swimming. I stopped working out. I stopped respecting my body and being aware of how much I was consuming. 

I had decided that I was going to take back my body and branched out into a whole new field of working out for me, which was running (so I thought). In the early morning, I had been running on the treadmill at the gym when my best friend promptly encouraged me to quit the stationary running and come out on the high school track. And like the amazing friend that I am, I rushed out of the gym and over to her house to walk to the field. 

Now, this trek to the high school is through a little neighborhood and shortcut through the local park. 

Olander Park 

Sylvania, OH

6930 W Sylvania Ave, Sylvania, OH 43560

Rating: 8/10

Pros: 

• 1.1 miles paved loop, great for running while subconsciously tracking your distance with natural markers. Also great for taking your dog or cat on a walk. 
• volleyball courts and the beach are super fun. AND the playgrounds are actually really fun and spread out throughout the park. 
• fishing! always ideal
• Cute venue on the water for events like graduation, birthday, engagement, etc.  

Cons:

• Geese...these geese are actually terrifying and will attack you
• When on a peddle boat HUGE fish come up to you so that's a little scary too

I completely overlooked this park growing up. I lived 2 miles away from this gorgeous park that it is kind of the package deal in the middle of a suburb. And can't believe that if I hadn't decided to try running. I would have completely missed my opportunity to see and experience this park.