7 Best Spots for a Fun Family Picnic Near Youngstown, OH

Picnicking is a great way to enjoy a meal with the family while getting outside and exploring new places. Many of the best picnic spots in and around Youngstown, OH, are also equipped with additional features for family fun, such as playgrounds, beaches, and sporting areas. Consider all the activities that you might include in your day when you’re packing your picnic so you’ll have everything you might need.

If you’re taking the family to a picnic spot with a playground, be prepared with snacks and quick bites that allow kids to eat a little at a time. Though they may sit for your initial meal, they’re bound to come back for more after they burn off some of that energy. Lidded containers will help you keep food fresh, and an ice-packed cooler is ideal for keeping drinks at the ready when you’re hunkering down for a long day at the park. Check out these destinations for your next picnic.

James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area

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If you’re looking for more than just a picnic to fill your afternoon, the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area is a great destination. The recreation area first opened in 1956 and continues to enjoy expansions and enhancements to this day. 

The tract covers 65 acres and includes a seasonal golf course, tennis courts, batting cages, and volleyball courts. For smaller children, you can head to the Juliana Kurinka Children’s Play Area, which includes areas for water play, sand play, and adventure play. Picnic facilities are available within the recreation area, so you can pack a lunch to help you recharge between exhilarating activities. 

Another great place to visit here is the Judge Morely Performing Arts Pavilion. The pavilion hosts live all-ages concerts with a 2.5-acre lawn for seating. Take chairs or a blanket and purchase your picnic from one of the food vendors to enjoy al fresco dining while you take in some tunes. The LIVE! at the Morely summer concert series is alcohol-free, but you can purchase other beverages and food on-site, saving you the job of packing a full picnic.

Lake Milton State Park

Lake Milton State Park is a picturesque spot for a waterfront picnic. The park features a 600-foot beach where you can easily spread a blanket on the sand and enjoy a peaceful meal. If you’re interested in swimming, you’ll find changing facilities, restrooms, and showers readily available. The beach also has a sand volleyball court, basketball court, and playground. If you prefer sheltered picnicking, the park offers four picnic shelters to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have access to a boat, there are two launch ramps at Lake Milton where you can head out on the waters. Have your picnic out on the water and take in the sights from a secluded spot out on the lake. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including midland painted turtles, warblers, hawks, muskrats, red foxes, and woodchucks, so you never know what you might spot.

The Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center

The Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center offers affordable memberships to Youngstown locals who are looking for access to fitness and recreation equipment. The center offers free weights, treadmills, tennis courts, basketball courts, fitness classes, and more. Outside, you’ll find a playground and covered picnic pavilion that is perfect for spending a sunny day outdoors with the family. 

Boardman Park

Boardman Park offers a lush green play space with features for guests of all ages. You’ll find a members-only dog park, disc golf course, bocce courts, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, hiking and biking trails, nature trails, and corn hole. For children, the park offers two playgrounds. One is designated for kids age 5 and under, while the other is for children ages 6 and up.

You can find some green space for a picnic in many spots throughout the park. If you’re interested in having a family reunion picnic or another special event, Boardman Park also offers five open-air pavilions that you can rent.

Yellow Creek Park

Yellow Creek Park features a stunning 76-acre gorge, making it a great destination for adventuresome picnickers. This is an exciting place to pack a picnic you can carry on your back so you can hike out and have a bite in the woods. If you prefer something more civilized, however, you’ll also find a playground and picnic facilities ready to accommodate. 

If you’re hosting a special event, you can even rent out the Captain John Struthers Pavilion for your picnic. This sizable pavilion can accommodate up to 96 people and features a grill and electricity. Restroom facilities are located nearby.

Mauthe Park

Mauthe Park offers a playground, disc golf course, and 0.3 miles of walkways. Leashed pets are welcome and you’ll even find handy DOGIPOT stations to facilitate cleanup. Mauthe Park also has ball fields that are open to the public when not in use by local organizations. You’ll find plenty of green space where you can spread a blanket for a relaxing picnic while the kids play. For larger events, you can rent the Rotary Pavilion, which features 15 picnic tables, two grills, and access to outside public restrooms.

Lower Bears Den Picnic Area

The Lower Bears Den Picnic Area is a pleasant retreat in Youngstown that’s located along a small creek that eventually leads out to Mill Pond and on to Mill Creek. At the picnic area, you’ll find a small playground, ample greenery, and soft grassy spaces to sit. This is a popular picnic area for families offering scenic views and a peaceful ambiance. Since the recreational facilities are somewhat limited compared to other parks in the area, you might bring extra entertainment for kids, such as bubbles, balls, or a Frisbee.

Did we include your favorite picnic spot on our list? If we missed a good location in the Youngstown area, Contact your #1 Cochran team and let us know. We want to have all the best suggestions in town for our customers when they’re headed out for an adventure.