Explore Your Toledo Area Metroparks

Posted on August 21, 2017

by Angela B

Metroparks Toledo have so many secrets to discover. There are hidden bridges and shelters; charming plants and animals; and outdoor adventures including kayaking, archery, climbing, and biking to name a few. In recent years, new playgrounds at Farnsworth, Oak Openings, Pearson, Secor, Swan Creek, and Wildwood are encouraging kids to engage in imaginative outdoor play. All of our area metroparks integrate history, education and adventure.

Let’s Explore Our Parks

Bend View

10040 S River Rd | Waterville, OH 43566

Bend View’s remote shelter house might be over 2 miles from the nearest parking lot, but it’s well worth the hike. The view of the river’s bend is absolutely beautiful and the path has little traffic to disturb you.

Bend View Metropark - Waterville, Ohio

Blue Creek

7215 Providence St. | Whitehouse, OH 43571

Discover the technique of bouldering, which is rock climbing without a harness or gear, at Blue Creek. Also, learn about the interesting history of the land as it was a working farm for prisoners.

Blue Creek - Whitehouse, Ohio

Bouldering from Metroparks on Vimeo.


Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis

Fallen Timbers: 4949 Jerome Road | Maumee, OH 43537

Fort Miamis: 600 Michigan Ave | Maumee, OH 43537

Two of the most historic parks in the area are Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis. Try your luck at finding the legendary Turkey Foot Rock.

Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis - Maumee, Ohio

Fallen Timbers Battlefield from Metroparks on Vimeo.


Farnsworth

8505 S River Road (US 24) | Waterville, OH 43566

This whimsical playground is the perfect place to take the family. Then, if you are feeling adventurous, head over to the kayak concessions to paddle out on the Mighty Maumee.

Farnsworth Metropark - Waterville, Ohio

Middlegrounds

111 Ottawa Street | Toledo, OH 43604

Toledo’s newest public off leash dog park is right in the middle of Downtown! This innovative park features various channels to help clean runoff water going into Lake Erie to keep it healthy!

Middlegrounds Metropark - Downtown Toledo, Ohio

Middlegrounds from Metroparks on Vimeo.


Oak Openings

4139 Girdham Rd | Swanton, OH 43558

Rent the rustic Caretakers Cottage for a special overnight experience. While at Oak Openings, search for Ohio’s native cactus, the Eastern Prickly Pear. Also, be on the lookout for the Treehouse Village in the future!

Oak Opening Preserve Metropark in Swanton, Ohio
Cactus photo by Jay Sturner

Pearson

761 Lallendorf Rd Oregon, OH 43616

Check out the Johlin Cabin to discover life in the Great Black Swamp. Also, explore the many interesting WPA and CCC historic structures around the park.

Pearson Metropark in Oregon, Ohio

Providence

13827 S. River Road | Grand Rapids, OH 43522

Located near the old ghost town, Providence offers fascinating insights into local history with the Isaac Ludwig Mill and the authentic canal boat tours. Anglers will also be delighted in the quality and quantity of fish that can be caught at the Providence Dam.

Providence Metropark - Grand Rapids, Ohio

Secor

10001 W Central Ave | Berkey, OH 43504

If you love the Metroparks and want to spend eternity there, then Wolfinger Cemetery inside Secor Metropark is the place to be! It is the only active cemetery inside a Toledo Metropark. This park is also home to the National Center for Nature Photography.

Secor Metropark in Berkey, Ohio

Sidecut

1025 W River Rd | Maumee, OH 43537

Side Cut is full of hidden trails, gazebos, canals, fireplaces, and bridges – nearly all a legacy of the WPA. Travel there by way of the Wabash Cannonball Trail.

Side Cut Metropark - Maumee, Ohio
Canal photo by Starley Shelton

Swan Creek

4301 Airport Hwy | Toledo, OH 43615

Who knew cute mammals were living in the middle of the city? Swan Creek is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of these guys!

Swan Creek Metropark in Toledo, Ohio
Fox photo by Hank Anderson

Toledo Botanical Garden

In 2006, the Toledo Botanical Garden became a public/private partnership between the Metroparks of the Toledo Area and the Toledo Botanical Garden Board, Inc. in collaboration with the City of Toledo. The garden is extremely unique to Toledo because of the artists’ village, the exceptional variety of plants, numerous sculptures, and more.

Toledo Botanical Garden

Westwinds

9918 Geiser Rd | Holland, OH 43528

Where else in Northwest Ohio can you practice archery on either traditional or 3D animal targets, and also fly remote control airplanes? Westwinds is the only place to be for these cool activities.

Westwinds Metropark - Holland, Ohio

Wildwood

5100 W Central Ave | Toledo, OH 43615

Wildwood is Toledo’s favorite place to spend cold winter days, or any day of the year! It is the most popular Metropark, with good reason!

Wildwood Metropark in Toledo, Ohio

Wiregrass Lake

201 N Eber Rd | Holland, OH 43528

Have you ever heard of the Dragonfly Jewel of Ohio? Wiregrass has more varieties of dragonflies than anywhere else in Ohio! You also can camp, boat, fish, or relax at this beautiful lake.

Wiregrass Lake Metropark - Holland, Ohio

*Update: Metroparks Toledo opened Howard Marsh in Curtice, Ohio in 2018.

Here’s a little information from the Metroparks Toledo website:

“Howard Marsh, on State Route 2 at Howard Road, showcases six miles of water trail for canoeing and kayaking and five miles of dike-top trails for hiking.”

“The Metropark, which was previously a working farm, is adjacent to the Metzger Marsh State Wildlife Area in a region that also includes Maumee Bay State Park, Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Together, these local, state and federal public lands are known for their concentration of songbirds, or warblers, especially during spring migration.”


Let the Library help you and your family explore the wonderful world of nature with the help of a few good books …

Nature Picture Books for Children

Tree : a peek-through picture book illustrated by Britta Teckentrup Nature by Alain Gree A celebration of the seasons : goodnight songs / Margaret Wise Brown ; illustrated by twelve award-winning picture book artists Hank's big day : the story of a bug / by Evan Kuhlman ; illustrated by Chuck Groenink The great big green / Peggy Gifford ; illustrated by Lisa Desimini

Non-Fiction Nature Books and eBooks for Kids

Nature is Fun! All About Nature for Kids by Baby Professor (eBook)
Sizes in nature by Jennifer Marino Walters (Nature is all around me series)
Numbers in Nature by Jennifer Marino Walters (Nature is All Around Me series)
Shapes in Nature by Jennifer Marino Walters (Nature is all around me series)
Colors in Nature by Jennifer Marino Walters (Nature is all around me series)

Nature and Outdoor Activity Books and eBooks for Kids

100 Backyard activities that are the dirtiest, coolest, creepy-crawliest : become an expert on bugs, beetles, worms, frogs, snakes, birds, plants and more by Colleen Kessler Celebrate Nature! Activities for Every Season by Angela Schmidt Fishbaugh (eBook) Outdoor crafts : lots of fun things to make and do outside - DK Publishing A Little bit of dirt : 55+ science and art activities to reconnect children with nature / Asia Citro, MEd, author of 150+ screen-free activities for kids
The Wild Year Book : Things to do outdoors through the seasons by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield

Capture the wonderful world of nature on film with the help of these great Library resources …

Photography Books and eBooks

Creative Nature Photography - Essential Tips and Tricks by Bill Coster (eBook) Boyd Norton's Outdoor Digital Photography Handbook by Boyd Norton (eBook) The complete guide to macro and close-up photography / Cyrill Harnischmacher ; translator: David Schlesinger David Busch's point-and-shoot compact field guide / David Busch, Dan Simon HDR photography : from snapshots to great shots / Tim Cooper

All photos courtesy of Metroparks Toledo unless otherwise noted.

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