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Welcome to ParkQuest!

ParkQuest - Social Distance Orienteering in the Age of COVID19


       Although OCIN is now having some of our regular events, you can also do ParkQuest courses on your own.   It is still good to go outside, get sunlight, and exercise on an individual basis. Ohio's Governor Dewine even said that it is a "good time to run around in the woods."   So, OCIN is offering a series of "non-events" that we are calling ParkQuest.   This is an opportunity for all members and friends of orienteering to do a course any time, on your own.

       Important! By printing a map or participating in a ParkQuest course, you are agreeing to the terms of our standard liability waiver. If you do not agree to these terms, do not attempt ParkQuest.

       We have published a number of different maps and courses in area parks. Watch for new maps from time to time.
             1. Print the map on your own (or view it on your mobile device).
             2. Go to the park at a time of your own choosing, avoiding contact with others, and you can complete the course(s) on your own.
             3. Upload your results. Self-report times and experiences. Upload a selfie to the OCIN Facebook page.
             4. When things return to normalcy, we plan to have a random drawing from those who have uploaded comments and selfies for some fun goodies from our sponsors.
       You can also try one of the several permanent courses linked below!

       Your safety is important:
             Tell others where you are going and when you expect to return. Leave a map.
             Take a cell phone and whistle.
             Important! By printing a map or participating in a ParkQuest course, you are agreeing to the terms of our standard liability waiver. If you do not agree to these terms, do not attempt ParkQuest.

ParkQuest #6 - Forest Run Butler County MetroPark, Hamilton, Ohio

             Two courses (short and easy, longer and more challenging) are available for printing here
             Parking at Forest Run Visitor Center, 1976 Timberman Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013. MetroParks of Butler County now has free admission and parking.
             There are NO markings at the controls. You can use the UsynligO ("Invisible Orienteering") app on your phone to get a vibration or tone when you find the correct spot. Dec 2022 - construction near the parking lot area
             Report your results and experiences here.              View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page.
             If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.

ParkQuest #1 - Garr Hill, Indiana

             A full range of courses from white to red is available for printing here.
             Garr Hill Boat Ramp, State Route 101 North, Brookville, IN 47012. Locator Map Directions: From Brookville, IN, go north on Indiana route 101 for 5 miles. Turn left at Pea Ridge / Garr Hill Rd for 0.9 miles. Large parking lot at boat ramp. Pit toilet available (we suggest byo paper and hand sanitizer)
             Report your results and experiences here.              View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page. If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.
             All controls were marked with two streamers: bright pink and lime green, but have not been re-marked since April, 2020. Most if not all are missing.
             Cell phone coverage is non-existent at the parking area, but you can get signal on the hilltops.

   

ParkQuest #2 - Burnet Woods, Cincinnati

             A range of courses (beginner, intermediate, advanced) is available for printing here.
             Burnet Woods, Cincinnati, Ohio. Locator Map
             Check signs before parking; some areas have meters or require a University of Cincinnati permit. There is free parking on the park drive north of the start.
             There are NO control markings in the park. You can use the UsynligO ("Invisible Orienteering") app on your phone to get a vibration or tone when you find the correct spot. There are 3 courses: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
             Report your results and experiences here.              View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page.

   

ParkQuest #3 - Eden Park, Cincinnati

             A range of courses (beginner, intermediate, advanced) is available for printing here
             Eden Park, Cincinnati, Ohio.    Park at Spencer Overlook on Cliff Drive, GPS 39.116753, -84.488387.
             There are NO markings at the controls. You can use the UsynligO ("Invisible Orienteering") app on your phone to get a vibration or tone when you find the correct spot. There are 2 courses: short and easy, long and challenging. Dec 2022 - There has been some construction in the park since this course was designed.
             Report your results and experiences here.              View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page.
             If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.

   

ParkQuest #4 - Valley View Foundation, Milford

             A range of courses (beginner, intermediate, advanced) is available for printing here
             Valley View Foundation, Milford, Ohio.
             Parking by the Valley View gate behind Pattison Elementary School, 5330 South Milford Rd, Milford, OH 45150.
             There are NO markings at the controls. You can use the UsynligO ("Invisible Orienteering") app on your phone to get a vibration or tone when you find the correct spot. There are 3 courses: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Dec 2022 - there is a small construction area where VVF is building a new shelter pavilion.
             Report your results and experiences here.              View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page.
             If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.

   

ParkQuest #5 - A J Jolly Park, Alexandria, KY

             Two courses (short and easy, long and challenging) are available for printing here
             Parking near 1501 Race Track Rd, Alexandria, KY 41001.
             There are NO markings at the controls. You can use the UsynligO ("Invisible Orienteering") app on your phone to get a vibration or tone when you find the correct spot. There are 3 courses: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
             Report your results and experiences here.              View who else did the course here
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page.
             If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.

   

Permanent Courses

       During this crisis, we will also be offering some of our permanent course maps for free download. We expect to be adding more of our permanent courses soon.

       Rentschler Forest permanent course (PDF file).
             The start and finish by the Cummins Shelter has no marking or post. This is a relatively easy (white/yellow) course. All of the control points are marked by a thin white PVC post about 1 meter tall. The course can be done either sequentially or score-style.
             This park is operated by MetroParks of Butler County, free admission and parking. MetroParks of Butler County are open 8 am until dusk. Pumpkin Vine Trail has been re-routed, the printable map does not include the re-route. Post 10, next to the paved multi-use path is gone.
             Report your results and experiences here.
             View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page. If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.
  

       Big Bone Lick State Park permanent course (PDF file).
             Controls 13, 14, and 15 are currently off-limits and should be skipped. Controls 1 thru 9 make a relatively easy (white/yellow) course; Controls 10, 11 and 12 are just a bit more challenging, and 16 thru 20 are difficult. The numbers on posts 16 and 17 are reversed. All control points are marked by a brown Carsonite post about 1 meter tall.
             Please note the warning signs regarding the dam at Big Bone Lick, which is currently leaking and in need of repair. Areas immediately below the dam and around the lake are currently closed.
             August 2024: The courses has been re-designed due to long-term closure of the western part of the park, and missing posts replaced. New maps are being delivered to the park, and will be available here soon.
             This park is operated by Kentucky State Parks, and there is no admission or parking fee. The park is open dawn to dusk.
             Report your results and experiences here.
             View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page. If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.
  

       Miami University - Middletown Campus permanent course (PDF file).
             Controls 1 thru 10 make a relatively easy (white/yellow) course; Controls 11 thru 20 are more difficult. All control points are marked by a wooden post about 1 meter tall, with a metal plate on top.
             Control post 5 is missing, but you should be able to identify the old concrete building foundation. Dec 2022 - One other post was recently reported missing
             August 2024: We are working with Miami University to replace several missing posts and update the map.
             This park is operated by Miami University, and is open dawn to dusk.
             Report your results and experiences here.
             View who else did the course here
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page. If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.
  

       Governor Bebb permanent course (PDF file).
             Most controls are easy (white/yellow), but 3, 9, 16 are a little more challenging, especially as vegetation gets thicker. All of the control points are marked by a thick white PVC post about 1 meter tall. The course can be done either sequentially or score-style.
             There are 19 controls. There is no post #10. Notes: Control 9 was a rootstock, it is deteriorating but still obvious. The distinct tree at control 16 is now a deteriorating stump.
             This park is operated by MetroParks of Butler County. Free admission and parking.. MetroParks of Butler County are open 8 am until dusk.
             Report your results and experiences here.
             View who else did the course here.
             Post a selfie of you doing the course (or anything cool you saw on the course) to OCIN's Facebook page. If you did the course with anyone else, please be sure that photos show appropriate social distancing.

The Fine Print
       Orienteering Cincinnati maintains copyright, ownership, and all reproduction rights for all maps made available through this site. Individuals may print single copies for personal use.

       When doing any of these courses, please respect and avoid any private property areas or cultivated fields marked on the map. Please also avoid any obvious private property, construction areas, cultivation or gardens even if not indicated on the map. Please respect any park rules and road or trail closures, and visit only during hours when the park is open to the public.

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