Allen County Parks & Nature Preserves

The following list of parks and preserves includes those managed by federal, state, county, and non-governmental agencies (such as the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, various historical societies, etc.).

We have tried to collect information on the activities and facilities available at various parks, but things may change without us knowing about it. So please double check the information at the official site (click on the park’s name to go there).

Allen County Farm Park (Metro Park)

• 1582 Slabtown Road, Lima, OH
• GPS coordinates: N40.76096,W84.051207
• Location: In Bath Township, 1 mile east of I-75 on St. Rt. 81.
• Trail map
• Park size: 63.8 acres
• Total trail length: 2.5 miles
• Bridle trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Location on Google Maps

Deep Cut Historical Park (Metro Park)

• GPS coordinates: N40.684364,W84.364724
• Trail map
• Park size: 8.5 acres
• Total trail length: 45 miles
• Bridle trails
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• This mown grass path is a former towpath.
• Location on Google Maps

Fort Amanda Park (State Memorial)

• GPS coordinates: N40.682294,W84.270579
• Location: Fort Amanda State Memorial is located in Auglaize County, Logan Township, southwest of Lima on St. Rt. 198, 1/4 mile south of Ft. Amanda Road.
• Trail map
• Park size: 11 acres
• Total trail length: 0.5 mile
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Restrooms
• This state memorial park is owned by the Ohio Historical Society, but it is maintained and operated by Allen County’s Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. The coordinates and link to Google Maps is to the parking lot.
• There is no longer a fort here. Instead visitors will see a granite memorial stone and a cemetery. The Fort played an indirect role in the War of 1812, serving as a supply line post and hospital. There is a cemetery dedicated to soldiers who died in this war.
• Here’s a link to the Ohio Historical Society’s web page lists the address as for this site.
• Location on Google Maps

Heritage Park (Metro Park)

• 2092 Reed Road, Lima, Ohio
• GPS coordinates: N40.693797,W84.147557
• Location: Located in Shawnee Township, south of Lima on Reed Road, between Shawnee Road and South Dixie Highway. The West End picnic address is 2092 Reed Road and the Lions Den address is 1772 Reed Road.
• Trail map
• Park size: 81 acres
• Total trail length: 2 miles
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• The last Shawnee Indian Reservation in Ohio was located at this site. Since then it has been in the hands of private owners and the US Military. Fifty years ago most of the land was a field. Trees have been allowed to take hold so much of the land is forested, mostly with fast-growing, early succession trees.
• Location on Google Maps

Kendrick Woods (State Nature Preserve)

• 971 N Defiance Trail, Spencerville, OH 45887
• GPS coordinates: N40.750459,W84.32093
• Location: The preserve is 10 miles west of Lima, Ohio. 971 N Defiance Trail, Spencerville, OH 45887Take SR 81 west to Defiance Trail. The preserve is located 1/2 mile north on the west side of Defiance Trail.
• Trail map
• Park size: The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (the official web page) says its 159 acres, but the Allen County web page says its 472.29 acres; I think that’s because the park district has been buying adjoining, contiguous woodland.
• Total trail length: 5.33 miles
• Particularly good site for bird watching
• Restrooms
• Allen County’s Johnnie Appleseed Metropolitan Park also has a web page with somewhat different (and I suspect, more up-to-date) information on this nature preserve.
• 5 miles of trail are designated for hiking and cross country skiing; 0.33 mile of trail is a handicap-accessible boardwalk.
• Location on Google Maps

Lippincott Bird Sanctuary (Metro Park)

• 3093 Bellefontaine Rd., Lima, Ohio
• GPS coordinates: N40.722466,W84.044542
• Trail map
• Park size: 37 acres
• Total trail length: 0.6 mile
• Particularly good site for bird watching
• Cross country ski trails
• No restrooms are provided.
• The park features a variety of habitats: meadows, prairies, woodland, and wetland.
• Location on Google Maps

McLean Teddy Bear Park (Metro Park)

• 2004 N Dixie Hwy, Bath, OH 45801
• GPS coordinates: N40.763901,W84.058297
• Trail map
• Park size: 133.9 acres
• Total trail length: 3.5-mile hiking trail, plus a 0.5-mile Braille Discovery Trail
• Dog friendly
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• The park is named after a member of the Jaycees who made sure that any child who had to spend a night in an area hospital received a teddy bear.
• Location on Google Maps

Motter Metro Park (Metro Park)

• 10740 Columbus Grove Bluffton Rd., Richland, OH 45817
• GPS coordinates: N40.892259,W83.903058
• Park size: 105 acres
• No restrooms are provided.
• There is a mown, grass trail of unspecified length. The park system is trying to establish a prairie in this area.
• Location on Google Maps

Ottawa Metro Park (Metro Park)

• 2632 Ada Road, Lima, OH
• GPS coordinates: N40.755563,W84.056057
• Trail map
• Park size: 287.3 acres
• Dog friendly
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Camp sites
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Hiking, swimming pools, beach (450 ft), disc golf, boating
• Location on Google Maps

Rotary Riverwalk and Ottawa River Bikeway (Bike Path)

• Transits: Stretches from Heritage Park, through Lima and terminates at Ottawa Metro Park.
• Trail map
• Total trail length: 7 miles
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Restrooms
• Asphalt-paved, multi-use trail for walkers, cyclists, and skaters. Wheelchair accessible.

Schoonover Park (City Park)

• 670 North Jefferson St., Lima, OH 45805
• Park size: 69 acres
• Restrooms
• Pool, walking trail, astronomical observatory

Veterans Freedom Flag Monument (Metro Park)

• 1157 Buckeye Road, Lima, OH
• This isn’t like most of the nature-oriented parks that we typically cover, but it’s included here out of respect and gratitude toward our veterans.
• There’s more information available at uawfreedomflag.com.
• Location on Google Maps

Last Update: 01/16/2013 18:57:27

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