Earth Day was launched in the early 1970s as a bookmark to help honor the planet as well as elevate environmental issues to the world stage.

If you don’t have plans yet, we have assembled a list of 13 great places to go in the Miami Valley and southwestern Ohio to observe Earth Day 2013. (There are more than 13 good ones, by the way. This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive.) So, pack a picnic, grab the family and renew yourself and your relationship with Mother Nature. It’s a list that works anytime of year but will be especially timely on Monday, April 22, when the world pays its respects.

Ault Park

3600 Observatory Ave., Cincinnati

cincinnatiparks.com

Located just 10 minutes from downtown Cincinnati and close to Hyde Park, Ault Park is 224-acres of hiking trails, woods and the mother of all pavilions. Seriously, the pavilion fits 600 people on it, according to the rental information. No wonder it’s the host of so many events and weddings.

Cost: Free

Carillon Historical Park

1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton

carillonpark.org

This 65-acre park and museum focuses on Dayton’s history from the late 1700s to the present. If you haven’t been, look for the 151-foot tall Deeds Carillon— the largest Carillon in the state — to guide you. The park which has and continues to have major upgrades, is home to 20 different historic buildings as well as the original 1905 Wright Flyer III.

Cost: $8 for adults, $5 for children 3-17, free for children 3 and younger

Carriage Hill Metropark and Historical Farm

7800 E Shull Road, Dayton

metroparks.org

This family friendly park offers guests the opportunity to experience a 19-Century farm farm would have been like through demonstrations of historic farm activities and chores. The 900-acre park offers guests an outdoor space to fish, hike, picnic, ride horses and more.

Cost: Free

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

3400 Vine St., Cincinnati

cincinnatizoo.org

The Cincinnati Zoo features some of the most breathtaking world-class gardens around. If you haven’t ever walked through to really take them in, give yourself a treat and plan a visit. The zoo will be putting on a “Party for the Planet” on April 18 from 4-8:30 p.m. In addition to educating on green living, the event will have music and plenty of blooms.

Cost: General admission tickets are $15 for ages 13-61 and $10 for children and seniors ages 2-12 and 62 and older. Parking is $8.

Cox Arboretum

6733 Springboro Pike, Miami Twp.

metroparks.org

With plenty of trails on this 180-acre park, a newly opened observation tree tower that offers a panoramic view of the park and gorgeous gardens, this is a place that is hard to leave. Mark your calendars: A native and wildflower plant sale will take place in on April 27 where visitors can solicit advice from the Wildflower Volunteer Group to find the plants most suitable for your garden.

Cost: Free

Devou Park

1344 Audubon Road, Covington, Ky.

dreespavilion.com/devou

OK, this one is in Kentucky, but it’s not a far drive from downtown Cincinnati and it offers one of the best panoramic views of the city skyline. It also offers trails, a golf course, tennis, fishing, the Behringer-Crawford Museum and Drees Pavilion.

Cost: Free

Eden Park

1198 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati

cincinnatiparks.com/eden-park

One of the most robust parks in Cincinnati, Eden Park is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Krohn Conservatory and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. It’s home to multiple bodies of water, including Mirror Lake and multiple views of other bodies of water and the city itself. The city of Cincinnati purchased the property in 1859 from Nicholas Longworth who called the property “The Garden of Eden.” It is one of the oldest and largest of Cincinnati’s more than 100 parks. Be sure to visit Krohn Conservatory when you go, which boasts more than 3,500 plant species ranging in climates from deserts to rainforests.

Cost: Free

Fort Ancient State Memorial

6123 Ohio 350, Oregonia

www.fortancient.org

Immerse yourself in Ohio’s past dating back thousands of years. The Fort Ancient site features 18,000 feet of earthen walls engineered by American Indians. In addition to hiking trails and picnic areas, a 9,000 square-foot museum offers exhibits that examine American Indian history in southern Ohio.

Cost: $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, free for children 6 and younger

Hartman Rock Garden

1905 Russell Ave, Springfield

hartmanrockgarden.org

This one of a kind creation was the vision of Harry George “Ben” Hartman who found himself with plenty of time on his hands during the Great Depression and took the time to build structures that were inspired by history and religion. The folk art he created contains more than 250,000 stones that form more than fifty impressive structures.

Cost: Free

Pyramid Hill Sculture Park

1763 Hamiltion-Cleves Road, Ohio 128, Hamilton

pyramidhill.org

Art and nature come together at this very special outdoor museum which features more than 70 massive sculptures on a beautiful 335 acre property. Walk, drive or hike to see everything there is to see depending on time and ability. The park also features an Ancient Sculpture Museum with over 60 pieces that are over 1,000 years old. It’s an unusual park that is sure to impress all the members of the family.

Cost: $8 adults, $2 children 5-12, free for children 4 and younger

Riverscape

111 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton

metroparks.org

Located along the Great Miami River in downtown Dayton, this park keeps activities going year-round including river rentals. It’s a gathering place located right on the bike path that is the location of many of downtown’s concerts and events.

Cost: Free

Smale Riverfront Park

West Mehring Way, Cincinnati

mysmaleriverfrontpark.org

Phase I of this downtown Cincinnati park opened in spring 2012. Another chunk of the park will open this year. The 45-acre paradise stretches from the Great American Ballpark to Paul Brown Stadium. The Moerlein Lager House, which opened in February 2012, opens out to the park. The restaurant seats 500 indoor and seating 600 in its outdoor beer gardens.

Cost: Free

Wegerzyn Gardens

1301 E Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton

metroparks.org

This destination will be the inspiration any gardener needs. Featuring different themed areas including a Victorian garden and a Children’s Discovery Garden, a stroll through this park will leave you feeling inspired and refreshed. Get there in time to see the incredible Patrick Dougherty outdoor sculpture “A Wiggle in Its Walk” before it comes down in May.

Cost: Free

Note: The costs above do not include activities at any of the locations.