Erie MetroParks

Erie MetroParks was formed as the "Erie County Metropolitan Park District" in 1968 and adopted its current name in 1991. At this time, it consists of 13 individual park areas located throughout Erie County, Ohio covering approximately 3200 acres/1295 hectares.

It was organized under the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, Section 1545, as a separate political division of the state of Ohio. Erie MetroParks is overseen by a Board of Park Commissioners consisting of three members appointed to three-year terms by Judges of the Probate Court and Common Pleas Court of Erie County.

Mission Statement

"Under the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, the mission of Erie MetroParks is to preserve, conserve, protect, and enhance the natural and unique historical resources of the park district. Further, to provide opportunities for visitors and residents to use, enjoy, understand and appreciate these resources in a responsible, sustainable manner."

List of Parks and their locations

Huron Township

Located between Sandusky and Huron on US 6:

* Osborn Park (172 acres/69.61 hectares), the first park developed by Erie MetroParks on the former Osborn State Prison Honor Farm, dedicated in 1975. The Park District headquarters and reservation offices are located here.
* Joseph Steinen Wildlife Area (155 acres/62.73 hectares), the newest park area, purchased in 2003. Includes the official Erie County Ohio Bicentennial Barn, one of 88 barns painted with a special graphic design commemorating the 200th anniversary of Ohio statehood in 2003. Limited public access at this time.
* Putnam Marsh Nature Preserve (966 acres/390.93 hectares), is a protected natural area because of its importance as one of the last undeveloped naturally functioning marshes on the southern Lake Erie shoreline and it is a critical habitat area for plants and animals. Also purchased in 2003 with limited public access at this time.
* Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point (73 acres/29.54 hectares), so named because it is the location of at least two Bald Eagle nest sites. Access to this park is restricted during the Bald Eagle nesting season, but open to the public at all other times.-These four parks are envisioned to be combined as a new park, to be called the "East Sandusky Bay Preserve MetroPark," in the near future.

Located on the campus of BGSU Firelands, Rye Beach Road in Huron:

* James H. McBride Arboretum (50 acres/20.23 hectares), Created in 1984, the arboretum was named in honor of Dr. James H. McBride, the first Dean of Firelands College. Managed for BGSU Firelands by Erie MetroParks.

Located South of Huron, along the Huron River:

* DuPont Marsh State Nature Preserve (114 acres/46.13 hectares), owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and managed by Erie MetroParks.
* Huron River Greenway (60 acres/24.28 hectares total lands), a rail trail constructed on an abandoned Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway line. The northern trailhead is in Huron Township and shares its parking lot and entrance with the DuPont Marsh State Nature Preserve.

Perkins Township

Pelton Park Drive, off Hull Road, Perkins Township:

*Pelton Park (20 acres/8.09 hectares), a small wooded park surrounded by residential and commercial development.

-In addition, a portion of the Putnam Marsh Nature Preserve previously listed is also located in Perkins Township.

Milan Township

Located north of Milan on State Route 13:

* The Coupling Reserve (20 acres/8.09 hectares), a combination of sloping and river bottom lands, including a seasonal boat launch on the Huron River; historic railroad freight cars converted to bunk houses and a historic railroad depot from Monroeville, Ohio as a kitchen and meeting room available for rental by the public.

Located off Mason Road (County Road #13):

* Huron River Greenway - Mason Road trailheads. (park area temporarily closed)

Located at the foot of Old Main Street in the Village of Milan:

* Huron River Greenway - southern trailhead (not accessible from the Mason Road trailhead). (park area temporarily closed)

Berlin Township

Located north of Berlin Heights on State Route 61:

* Edison Woods Preserve (1330 acres/538.23 hectares), once slated to become a nuclear power plant, this site is now an important ecological area. It is the largest park in the Erie MetroParks system with over 7 miles/11 kilometers of trails. It also contains some of the last old growth forest in Erie County and former farm fields that are being restored to native prairie.

Located South of the Ohio Turnpike on Huff Road:

* Huffman Forest Preserve (40 acres/16.19 hectares), consists of meadow-to-forest land in succession and mature forest plant communities.

Margaretta Township

Located south-west of Castalia on State Route 101:

* Castalia Quarry Reserve (152 acres/61.51 hectares), formerly a limestone quarry, this once barren land is slowly returning to a natural state.

Florence Township

Unincorporated community of Birmingham on State Route 113:

* Birmingham School Park (3.3 acres/1.34 hectares), a small recreation park with a picnic ground and ball field. The location of the old Birmingham School building, demolished in 1996.

References

Information from brochures of each park area available from the park district web page. [http://www.eriemetroparks.org/]

External References

* [http://www.eriemetroparks.org/ Erie MetroParks]