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.
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.
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 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.
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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
*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
Non-Fiction Nature Books and eBooks for Kids
Nature and Outdoor Activity Books and eBooks for Kids
Capture the wonderful world of nature on film with the help of these great Library resources …
Photography Books and eBooks
All photos courtesy of Metroparks Toledo unless otherwise noted.
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