By 1812Blockhouse
Holiday lights, quiet trails, and a farmstead with its own literary heartbeat all shape the newest episode of The Parks Podcast, which steps into Richland County for a visit to Malabar Farm State Park. The show often ranges across the country, but this week’s stop brings the spotlight to a place Ohioans know well: a working landscape that settles into a different kind of beauty once winter arrives.
Winter in the Parks
The episode frames winter not as a slowdown, but as a shift in how the park is experienced. Naturalist Hannah Gilbert walks listeners through the small changes that stand out this time of year, from wildlife that’s easier to see against bare woods to the kind of stillness that lets visitors hear the land in a different way. She also lays out the winter events taking place across Ohio’s parks and lodges, many of which are perfect for families looking for seasonal outings that don’t require long travel.
Malabar Farm’s Holiday Season
Gilbert highlights one of Malabar Farm’s most popular traditions: its holiday tours. These visits bring guests into the Big House dressed for the season, offering a close look at the historic rooms as they would have appeared during a mid-century Christmas. The tours mix storytelling with simple seasonal charm, and the podcast gives them enough space to shine. Listeners get a sense of why the tradition draws returning visitors year after year.
A Park Built for Cold-Weather Wandering
Beyond the indoor highlights, the episode touches on the outdoor side of winter at Malabar Farm. Trails stay open and surprisingly lively, especially with the chance to spot winter birds, follow tracks in the snow, or take part in guided hikes that move at a gentler pace. Gilbert encourages people not to overlook the colder months, noting that winter often reveals details of the landscape that go unnoticed in summer.
About The Parks Podcast
The Parks Podcast invites listeners on a kind of long-running road trip through America’s public lands. Each episode blends stories, trip-planning advice, and a look at what makes each place unique. The aim is to help people feel confident visiting parks, whether they’re halfway across the country or right down the road.
How to Listen
The new episode is available on all major streaming platforms and at TheParksPodcast.com. A built-in player is included below for easy listening.
