Visit 4 Ohio Parks with New Features
Our state’s parks — filled with forests, streams and green — offer a respite from daily life. Here are four with recent additions, so you can explore something new this summer.
Cleveland Metroparks’ Euclid Creek Reservation
Take your perch on the scenic overlook 130 feet above Euclid Creek and its forested valley. The vista is found along the 1-mile Eastern Ledge Trail, which opened in October 2022 and features a mix of paved and natural surfaces as well as an 85-foot suspension bridge over the creek. Linking Euclid Creek Reservation to the city of Richmond Heights, this trail is the first of several planned routes to connect the park and the area’s residential communities. clevelandmetroparks.com
Kelleys Island State Park
A National Natural Landmark, the Glacial Grooves at Kelleys Island State Park measure 400 feet long, 35 feet wide and up to 15 feet deep — a massive geological phenomenon created around 25,000 years ago by the same glacier that carved out the Great Lakes. A recent renovation to the Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve provided updates including increased accessibility by way of a new footbridge and elevated walkways, offering better views of Kelleys Island’s extraordinary geologic structures. kelleysislandchamber.com
The Dawes Arboretum
A network of trails covers 12 miles at Newark’s 2,000-acre collection of trees and other plants. In summer 2022, The Dawes Arboretum opened another: the Appalachian Hollow Trail. The short, quarter-mile route features a diverse selection of species that you would encounter in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains as well as in portions of Ohio. Large-foliage magnolias, a native azalea, spicebush and more highlight the Appalachian region as one of North America’s most diverse areas for plant life. dawesarb.org
Metroparks Toledo’s Swan Creek Preserve
Climb up and explore Swan Creek from a new perspective. The 1.5-mile Swan Creek Connector Trail, which includes a 580-foot concrete walkway and two steel-truss bridges, now leads Metroparks Toledo visitors higher into the tree canopy. The trail opened in September 2022, providing a connection to 200 acres that were previously inaccessible within Swan Creek Preserve as well as a new vantage point to check out the park’s wildlife, including a variety of migratory birds. metroparkstoledo.com
Related Articles
Ohio State Parks for Fall Hikes
Get up close and personal with fall leaves, one step at a time. These four state parks have colorful jaunts for hikers of every skill level. READ MORE >>
Stay at These Classic Ohio State Park Lodges
These lodges across Ohio have been welcoming visitors for decades, offering updated amenities that make for a great getaway. READ MORE >>
Enjoy Fall on the Water at These Ohio State Parks
Don’t hang up the paddles and poles just because the air is cooler. Layer up and seek out fun on or along the lake at these state parks. READ MORE >>