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Double
E Ostrich Farm
3330 W. St. Rt. 571, Troy
(937) 698-1039 - Please call ahead before visiting
Website: http://www.eeostrich.com/
email: doubleeostrich@earthlink.net
Owned and operated by the Eidemiller family for 10 years. You’ll
think of the children of Swiss Family Robinson riding the ostriches
like ponies when you visit the Double E Ostrich Farm! A family business,
this working farm raises ostriches for their meat, eggs and leather.
Ostrich meat and leather is available for purchase, as well as empty
ostrich eggs for decorating! (Meat can be shipped.)
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Fulton
Farms
2393 State Route 202, Troy
(937) 335-6983
Website:
http://www.fultonfarms.com/
Open: April-August Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10
a.m.-5 p.m.;
September-December Monday-Friday 10a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5
p.m.
In late spring the vast fields of Fulton Farms gleam red with the season‘s
first strawberries, and in the fall, an endless landscape of orange
pumpkins await carving and baking. The largest contiguous farm east
of the Mississippi, Fulton Farms specializes in a variety of produce.
An easily accessible farm market allows visitors to shop for fresh fruits
and vegetables, gourmet foods, Old World ornaments, among other unique
gift items. The market cafe inside the same location, offers Boston
Stoker coffees, espresso, soups, desserts, ice cream, yogurt and homemade
bread. Coinciding with each season, visitors to the farm can pick their
own strawberries in early June, take a hay ride to find a pumpkin in
October or brave the weather to take down their own Christmas tree in
November and December.
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Idle
Hour Ranch
4845 Fenner Rd., Troy
(937) 339-2744
Are you ready for something exotic? Then head on over to the Idle-Hour
Ranch! This working ranch features over 250 animals, including camels,
unusual birds, llamas, rare exotics from other parts of the world, and
much more. A member of the Iddings family will greet your group and
give you a tour, including: the Aviary where over 80 colorful birds
and fowl raise their young; their herd of over 50 sheep and goats, including
rare breeds such as Tunis, Romanov and pygmy; and other unusual animals.
Reservations required. Small fee for tour.
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Spring
Hill Nurseries
110 W. Elm St, Tipp City
(937)-667-4079
Website:
www.springhillnursery.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 12-5pm
One of the largest mail order garden centers in the country, Spring Hill
Nurseries has been in Tipp City for over 100 years. Ohio Certified Nursery
Technicians are available to answer gardening questions. Only blocks from
Historic Downtown Tipp City and featuring test gardens, a research facility,
and a popular garden center, this is a paradise no matter what color your
thumb is!
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The
Miami County Courthouse
215 West Main Street, Troy
(937) 332-6800 or (937) 698-4796
Open: Monday-Friday By appointment only
Combining Greek and Roman architecture with five cast iron domes, Ohio
native J.W. Yost may have designed his masterpiece when invited to Miami
County in 1885. Completed in 1888, The Miami County Courthouse stands
as one of the tallest structures in the county, towering 185 feet above
the Great Miami River. The tip of the building is fit with a copper
statue of justice which has bronze statues in attendance. Inside, the
dizzying heights of the dome are guarded by a number of colorful visages
representing cultures from around the world, each glancing down at all
who walk through the many halls of the building. Frescoed plaster ceilings
and arches ornamented with representations of local agricultural produce
and marble wainscoting and mosaic tile, along with brilliant wood work,
also make the inside of this structure a unique architectural treasure.
Located close to unique shopping and dining opportunities, the court
house makes the perfect stop during a weekend visit to the historic
streets of downtown Troy. Outside of the court house, next to gushing
water fountains, a Police Memorial stands as a tribute to officers who
have fallen in the line of duty throughout Miami County’s history.
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Hotel
Fort Piqua
Northwest Public Square, Downtown Piqua
Outside visits only
Once the heart of activity in Piqua, Hotel Fort Piqua now stands as
a link to Miami County's rich past. On the second floor balcony of this
1891 five-story stone and brick structure, president Theodore Roosevelt
once addressed local crowds while campaigning across the country. Known
in local legend as Piqua's response to Troy's three-story, Neo-Renaissance
court house, completed in 1888, the hotel was elaborately constructed
in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and contains more than 100 exterior
carvings of faces, birds and other creatures. Although the inside of
the building is closed to the public, a towering view of the architecture
and protruding carvings can easily be enjoyed while visiting specialty
shops, restaurants and night life spots located nearby.
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Civil
War Monument
Intersection of State Route 48 and 718, Pleasant Hill
Outside visitation only
Standing majestically above the quaint streets of Pleasant Hill, the Civil
War Monument is a memorial to local residents who fought and died for
the Union during the Civil War. A total of 13 soldiers from this area
were honored when the statue was placed in Pleasant Hill in 1895. Today,
the monument stands in the middle of the community's main intersection
and acts as a traffic circle to those passing by. Several dining and shopping
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Hobart
Arena
255 Adams Street, Troy
(937) 339-2911 or (937) 339-5145
Open: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; 1-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Open weekends for special events.
Admission for most events.
Throughout its more than 55 year history, Hobart Arena has been the location
of musical and sports entertainment, unmatched anywhere in the county.
In the past, entertainers such as Elvis Presly graced the facility, performing
to packed crowds and screaming fans. Today, the arena is a nationally
known center for figure skaters. The center's public ice-skating rink
can be the start of a hockey or figure skating career or an evening of
hand-in-hand skating. The arena hosts a number of events each year including
basketball tournaments, concerts, trade shows and many other special activities.
An indoor walking track is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays.
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Eldean
Covered Bridge
Corner of North County Road 25-A & Eldean Road, Troy
Open: Year Round
Set amongst the backdrop of Miami County’s vast farmland and the
tree-lined corridor of the Great Miami River, the Eldean Covered Bridge
is one of only two covered bridges remaining in the county. Built in 1860,
the historic bridge, painted in the traditional red, was once the second
longest of its kind in Ohio. Today, visitors can still cross under the
protected barriers of this historic landmark, both on foot and by car.
Whether you walk or drive across the bridge, the craftsmanship of the
design will no doubt take you to another time in Miami County’s
early history.
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Fletcher
Covered Bridge
Downing Street, Fletcher (one block north of U.S. 36)
Open: Year Round
In 1993, 29 local volunteer workers built the Fletcher Covered Bridge
on the location of the former Gustin Ditch bridge. Dedicated in 1998,
the covered bridge is a new look at an old style of bridge design. Located
next to the quiet community of Fletcher, visitors to the bridge can get
a taste of the simple life while visiting this historic recreation.
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Overfield
Tavern Museum
201 East Water Street, Troy
(937) 335-4019
Open: April 1-October 31, Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m., Also by appointment.
Free Admission
This log cabin was constructed as a hotel in 1807 by Pennsylvania native
Benjamin Overfield, but has served as a courthouse, jail, church and
school. The rustic structure has lodged future presidents and stood
as a testament to Troy’s early success and the spirit of growth
in this community and country. The logs on the building are held together
at the corners with “inverted V” or “steeple”
notchings and have miraculously stood the test of time. Currently, the
building houses one of the finest collections of early 19th century
household furnishings, used by early pioneers in Miami County. Many
activities take place at the “tavern” throughout the year,
and include living history programs and craft demonstrations.
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Museum
of Troy History
124 East Water Street, Troy
(937) 335-4188
Open: Saturday and Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
Also by appointment.
Free Admission
Housed in the restored Civil-War home of John Kitchen, the Museum of
Troy History features historic household items used from 1850 to 1950.
Rotating displays depict lifestyle themes such as sports, religion,
industry and healthcare. Special activities include a July Ice Cream
Social, an Annual Tour of Homes in October and a Christmas Open House
in December.
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Troy-Hayner
Cultural Center
301 West Main Street,
Troy
(937) 339-0457
Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Thursday, 7-9 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
Free Admission
The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center represents everything eloquent in Miami
County. The former Mary Jane Harter Hayner family mansion, built in
1914, now stands as a tribute to local history with special interest
given to visual and performing arts in Miami County. The hallways of
this English Tudor/Renaissance structure are lined with art work unique
to the county and its people. With European and Victorian furnishings
set amongst delicate interior wood work, visitors to the cultural center
can tour a library and museum that focuses on Miami County's rich history,
or take part in a number of activities including musical concerts. Classes
and workshops are also offered on a variety of topics. The Local History
and Genealogical Library also is located in the center and is maintained
by the Troy Historical Society. For more information on programs conducted
throughout the year, contact the center at 339-0457. The facility is
available for recitals, weddings, receptions and parties.
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The
Piqua Historical Area State Memorial, Ohio Historical Society
9845 North Hardin Road, Piqua
(937) 773-2522 or 1-800-752-2619
Open: Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day: Wednesday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-5
p.m.; Sunday and Holidays, 12-5 p.m.; September and October, Saturday
and Sunday hours only.
The sites, sounds - and even the tastes - of yesteryear can be found
at the Piqua Historical Area State Memorial, one of Ohio's, and America’s,
most popular memorial sites. Located on 174-acres, the memorial contains
the most comprehensive museum on the Woodland Indians, a working canal
boat, a restored 1815 farmstead and dozens of festivals and events catered
to history buffs and weekend adventurers alike. On any given weekend
from Memorial Day through October, visitors can watch everything from
Vintage Baseball games to War of 1812 reenactments. Festivals such as
The Heritage Festival, that brings more than 100,000 people to Piqua
each year, provide craft demonstrations, home-cooked foods and activities
and live entertainment fit for the entire family. Taking a mule-drawn
canal boat ride along a restored portion of the Miami-Erie Canal is
a unique experience offered by Piqua. For one price, visitors can enjoy
the entire spectrum of the memorial, including a tour of the farmhouse
of famous Piqua Indian Agent John Johnston. The farmstead includes a
springhouse, the oldest log barn in Ohio and a reconstructed cider house.
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The
Piqua Historical Museum
509 North Main Street, Piqua
(937) 773-2307 or (937) 773-6753
Open: April-October on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 1-4 p.m.; also by
appointment.
Free Admission
Piqua played one of the most important roles in American history during
the early days of the country, but is seldom recognized for such achievements.
The meeting place of General, and future president, William Henry Harrison,
whose army marched north to drive the British out of the Great Lakes region
during the War of 1812, Piqua was the original wild west in America. Settlers
and Native Americans met in this area to trade goods and with the river
system, Piqua played an important role throughout the rise of the industrial
age. Located in the Caldwell Historic District, the Piqua Historical Museum
offers tours through a timeline of Piqua’s past. More than 20 rotating
exhibits feature everything from Piqua-based archaeology to the role underwear
played in Piqua’s development. Special events include an art show
in spring and the Victorian Christmas in December. |
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Union
Township Historical Museum & Quaker Research Center/ Union Township
Heritage Association
47 North Miami Street, West Milton
(937)698-3820 or (937) 778-3811
Open: Tuesday 2-4:30 p.m.; Sunday 2-4 p.m.; other times by appointment.
Free Admission
West Milton and much of Union Township was settled by Quakers who migrated
from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 19th century. The Museum & Quaker Research
Center is a place to discover the simple, hard working ethics of the
people who created these communities. Displays on Union Township history,
an archive and research collection on Quaker genealogy and papers and
memorabilia of Union Township native and long-term member of the Ohio
House of Representatives, Robert Netzley fill the museum. Nearby, a
quiet road passes by the old Quaker Cemetery, where a replica 1804 West
Branch Quaker log meeting house stands as a tribute to the peoples of
the township. Another Quaker church, built in 1881 and located one block
from the museum, caused much controversy among early quakers throughout
the world because of its towering steeple pointed heavenward, something
unheard of at Quaker meeting houses.
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Tippecanoe
Historical Museum
20 North Third Street, Tipp City
(937) 667-4092 or (937) 667-3768
Call for hours and/or appointments.
Free admission
The Tippecanoe Historical Museum's exhibits focus on the people and
businesses that created the once thriving canal town. Exhibits on the
canal era, the implementation of the railroad through Ohio and unique
businesses that have called Tipp City home give visitors a perspective
of how life has changed in western Ohio. Offering tours of the five
block downtown historic district, Tippecanoe Historical Society members
take visitors through an old opera house, a converted Mill and past
dozens of historical homes.
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The
Rossville Museum
8250 McFarland Road, Piqua
(937) 773-6789
Open: By appointment only & Randolph Freedom Day, third Saturday
in June.
Free Admission
The Rossville Museum and Cultural Center is an archive of African-American
history in the Upper Miami Valley, across the nation and in Africa from
the 1700s to the 1900s. The museum is located in the 1869 home of former
slave York Royal, who, along with 382 other slaves, was set free by
Virginia Plantation owner John Randolph. The museum highlights exhibits
on these freed slaves and the lives they led in Ohio, as well as the
earliest African-American burial ground. The museum also houses a special
display that showcases the Mills Brothers, an internationally known
quartet group from Piqua.
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John
Scott Garbry Museum
Upper Valley Joint Vocational School
8415 Looney Road, Piqua
(937) 778-1980
www.uvjvs.org
Open: By appointment only.
Annual Open House: Third Sunday in October
Free Admission
This relatively new building houses the classroom and land laboratories
for Upper Valley JVS students majoring in the Environmental Occupations
Program. The highlight of this student center is a hands-on museum replica
of a town square featuring 19th century shops and craft demonstrations.
Transportation displays include a Conestoga wagon, carriages and horse-drawn
farm equipment.
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A.B.
Graham Memorial Center
8025 East State Route 36, Conover
(937) 368-2330
Open: Sundays, Memorial Day-Labor Day, 1-4 p.m., Also by appointment.
Free Admission
Miami County is scattered with the historical remains of the nation’s
early educational system. In various corners of the county, one-room school
houses still sit among fields of corn and soybeans, reminding those who
pass by of the changes education has undergone during America’s
growth. A.B. Graham Memorial Center, named in honor of the founder of
the 4-H Club and a nationally acclaimed educator, is housed in an early
1900s school building, making it the perfect place to honor such an individual.
Graham’s life and career as an educator are highlighted in the museum
that also includes displays on rural farm life, education and the history
of the Lena-Conover area.
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The
Fort Rowdy Museum
Covington-Newberry Historical Society
101 Spring Street, Covington
(937) 473-2270, (937) 473-3488, (937) 473-2322
Open: By appointment only and during special events.
Free Admission
In 1794, General “Mad Anthony” Wayne constructed a breastworks
of brush and logs near the Stillwater River. This breastworks would eventually
become the Village of Covington. Gen. Wayne dubbed the new place, “Fort
Rowdy” immediately following a drunken carouse of his officers and
men after completing the outpost. Though the outpost was later known by
several different names, “Rowdy” was the name retained throughout
the years. The outpost later became a school house, a mayor’s office
and finally, a museum. The building was placed on the National Historic
Register in 1981 and includes exhibits on the Civil War and early Miami
County history. Keep an eye out for stories and photos from The Great
Covington Elephant Hunt that took place not so long ago in this small
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Charleston
Falls Preserve
Ross Road, Tipp City
Bethel Township
937-667-1086
www.miamicountyparks.com
Charleston Falls is as diverse as the seasons that create its various
landscapes each new year. With a 37-foot waterfall that can either be
gushing, dripping or frozen, depending on the time of your visit, Charleston
Falls Preserve is the perfect place to escape city life and enjoy the
solitude of nature. Consisting of 169 natural acres, easily accessible
trails and boardwalks take visitors past buzzing prairies in the summer
and breath taking foliage in the fall, not to mention a limestone cave
and several types of forests any time of year. The park is a popular
place to enjoy hiking, walking pets (they must be on a leash at all
times) and viewing wildlife. An observation tower and prairie viewing
platform can help visitors spot countless birds and other creatures
while visiting the park. Much of this park is handicapped accessible
and picnic areas are available.
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Garbry’s
Big Woods
Reserve and Sanctuary
Statler Road, Piqua
Brown Township
937-667-1086
www.miamicountyparks.com
A stroll through Garbry's Big Woods takes visitors through the largest
standing upland woodlands in Miami County and one of the most secluded
parks in the area. Thick forests and gentle streams, along with vast prairie
land and a fishing pond make this park a one-of-a-kind nature reserve
in Miami County. Hiking trails wind through the 272 acre grounds and pets
are allowed, as long as they remain on leashes. As visitors make their
away along the all-weather handicapped accessible trails, plant identification
markers allow aspiring naturalists a chance to test their botany skills.
A new section of the park features hiking trails, reservable picnic shelters
and a picnic area with grills. When snow covers the county, cross-country
skiing is available at the reserve.
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Greenville
Falls
Range Line Road, Covington
Newberry
Township
937-667-1086
www.miamicountyparks.com
A beautiful cascade and impressive Silurian dolomite and limestone cliffs
occur along this valley of Greenville Creek, which is part of the Stillwater
State Scenic River system. Among the rare species of plants, you'll
find; rock sandwort, harebell, tufted hairgrass, limestone savory and
wand-lily. This scenic river preserve includes locally significant
maple-cottonwood-sycamore floodplain forest.
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Goode
Prairie Preserve
Union-Church Road, Covington
Newberry Township
937-667-1086
www.miamicountyparks.com
The blending of a wetland prairie and the Stillwater River is highlighted
in this 25 acre park located just outside of Covington. Naturalists
consider the blend to be a unique form of a slump prairie. Visitors
to the preserve can view wildlife, picturesque river scenes while enjoying
the solitude of nature in Miami County's own back yard.
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Stillwater
Prairie Reserve
State Route 185, Covington
Newberry Township
937-667-1086
www.miamicountyparks.com
The western portion of Miami County holds a tranquil beauty centered
around the Stillwater River. Registered as a National Scenic River,
the Stillwater River's thick, wooded corridors, rolling hills and tame
meadows meet the gentle flow of dark waters creating a native landscape
for all to view. The best views of this scenery can be found at Stillwater
Prairie Reserve. With a unique 1,600 foot recycled plastic boardwalk,
nearly two miles of river frontage, a looped trail system, two fishing
ponds and picnic areas with grills, a full day can be spent with in
the park's 254 acre borders. Also available at the reserve is a three-acre
wetland site with an observation platform for viewing wildlife.
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Brukner
Nature Center
5995 Horseshoe Bend Road, Troy
(937) 698-6419
E-mail: brukner@juno.com
www.tdn-net.com/brukner
(Soon to become: www.bruknernaturecenter.com)
Local wildlife, and wildlife enthusiasts, have a friend in Brukner Nature
Center. Bordering the scenic Stillwater River and fen wetland, Brukner
Nature Center is situated on 165 acres of rolling hills, deep ravines
and thick forests, including a magical pine forest that makes visitors
feel like an ant in the grass.
The
center has been educating the community on animal rehabilitation and
nature for more than 27 years and contains a complete rehabilitation
center, treating more than 1,600 wild animals each year. With a restored
1804 log house, herb gardens, animal and wildlife displays, hiking trails
and a bird vista situated three stories above the ground and in the
trees, visitors to Brukner have endless options for learning about nature
and enjoying its many gifts. Special programs at Brukner are offered
throughout the year.
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BRADFORD
PARKS
Bradford City Park: North Miami Avenue. Available are picnic shelters
with tables, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts and playground equipment. |
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COVINGTON
PARKS
Covington Community Park: West U.S. Route 36. This park has ball
fields, picnic shelters and playground equipment. |
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PLEASANT
HILL PARKS
Pleasant Hill City Park: South
Main Street, features a gazebo, picnic table and benches. |
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TIPP
CITY PARKS
Tippecanoe Community Park: North Third Street and Parkwood Avenue
Drive, includes 65 acres with a pavilion, eight baseball and softball
fields, picnic shelters and tables, playground equipment, football stadium,
municipal swimming pool, walking paths, volleyball and restrooms.
Nature
Reserve Park: North Third Street features 17 acres of river front
woodlands, two ponds, hiking trails and fishing.
Thomas
K. Kyle Memorial Park: South First Street. This site includes
60 acres with pavilion, picnic shelter and tables, two playgrounds, six
soccer and two softball fields, a fishing pond, benches, driving range
and a skate park. |
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TROY
PARKS
www.troy-ohio-usa.com/parks/parkinfo.html
Troy City Park: Adams Street.
This scenic park along the Great Miami River has playground equipment,
tennis, horseshoe, basketball and volleyball courts, a softball field,
picnic shelters and tables.
Treasure Island: 439 Elm Street., features water activities
with docking for motor boats. Also, paddle boats, canoes and rowboats
are available for a fee.
Paul Duke Park: 1670 Troy-Sidney Road. This park has
lighted softball and football fields, tennis courts, baseball and soccer
fields, picnic shelters and tables, concession stand and a 1.9 mile paved
walking, jogging, biking and rollerblade path.
Archer Park: Adams Street. This site hosts soccer and
softball at its fields.
North Market Street Complex: Lighted softball and baseball
fields and a concession stand are offered at this location. |
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PIQUA
PARKS
www.piquaoh.org/parksandrec.htm
Pitsenbarger Sports Complex: McKinley Avenue and South
Street. This park features 67 acres that includes baseball and softball
diamonds, soccer and football fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, volleyball
court, community pool and playground equipment.
Mote Park: South and Gordon streets. At this site, 32
acres feature softball diamonds, tennis courts, playground equipment,
swinging benches, a community building and recreation office.
Fountain Park: Forest Avenue and Echo Lake Drive. The
27 acres include baseball field, picnic shelters and tables, volleyball,
basketball and tennis courts, a wading pool, playground equipment, swinging
benches, a pavilion and a dining hall.
Hollow Park: Scott Drive off East Ash Street and Interstate
75. The 35 acres includes a one-mile jogging and walking path, picnic
shelters and playground equipment.
Das Park: Broadway and Park Avenue. Playground equipment
and benches are
located on its two acres.
Armory Park: Armory Drive. This three-acre park contains
playground equipment and benches.
Shawnee Park: East Main Street. This one-acre park has
playground equipment and benches.
High Street Park: Sherman Street. This one-acre park
includes a basketball court and playground equipment.
Roadside Park: State Route 66 near Hardin Road. A shelter
house and picnic tables are located on this seven-acre park.
Goodrich Giles Park: South Main Street and Great Miami
River. This nine-acre park has views of the river and woodlands.
Heritage Green: Riverside Drive at Wayne Street. This
park contains two-acres of green-space with a Citizen Memorial as well
as a police and fire department memorial. |
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WEST
MILTON PARKS
West Milton City Park: East State Route 571. This city
park has a canoe livery, picnic shelters, ball field, playground equipment,
stocked fishing pond and access to the Stillwater River. |
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FUTURE
PARKS
Honey Creek Preserve
State Route 202, Tipp City
Bethel Township
This 105-acre wetland preserve touches the Great Miami River and is currently
under cultivation. Future development of the area will allow the preserve
to return to its natural state.
Hobart Urban Nature Preserve
West Main Street, Troy
This is an 80-acre parcel of property located between Interstate 75 and
downtown Troy on Main Street, south of Menke Park. The land was donated
to the Miami County Park District in 1997 with the stipulation that it
be used for the education and leisure activity of future generations.
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Rivers
The rivers of Miami County can be enjoyed on a number of levels. With
choice fishing holes, a section of the Buckeye Trail and an abundance
of wildlife, the rivers provide a rare look at Miami County’s natural
setting. Dropping a canoe in the Great Miami or Stillwater
rivers offers visitors a chance to disappear into the solitude of nature.
Leaving behind the common scene of city and farm land, a trip down either
of these rivers takes canoe enthusiasts deep into the heart of river-country.
Towering riparian corridors hide an abundance of bird and small mammal
life that can be spotted as you slowly glide through the river system.
In Miami County, Barefoot Canoes, located in the Tipp City Park and West
Milton City Park, provides access to both rivers. When the river is at
its normal level, those canoeing can jump in for a swim to beat the heat,
or stop for a picnic on a rocky shore of the river. Those braving the
river may choose to go solo or in groups. Both trips can last an entire
day, depending on how fast and often you row, and how many breaks you
take along the way. Overnight trips can be booked at either location.
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Barefoot
Canoes
Tipp City Park
North Third Street and Parkwood Drive, in Tipp City
(937) 667-4862
Open: April, May, September and October, weekends and June, July and August,
seven days a week.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
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FISHING
PONDS
Bill’s Trout Lake: 7745 East Agenbroad Road, New
Carlisle. (937)845-9601.
Paul’s Lakes: 8602 Versailles-Southeastern Road,
Bradford. (937)448-2504. |
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Kenworthy
Motocross
2208 Ebberts Road, Troy
(937) 335-4763
www.kenworthysmxpark.com
Open: May-September
Each July, motocross fans from around the country come to Miami County
to watch today’s top cyclists grind through the dust of one of the
highest rated motocross tracks in the world. Kenworthy’s dirt tracks
are home to the famous Dirty Dozen, Widow Maker and Banzai Table Top that
thrust cyclists far into the air before returning them to the ground.
The racing season features both amateur competition on a 1.3 mile stretch
of track and professional racing on a 1.6 mile track that borders the
Great Miami River. During special events camping is available at the facility. |
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BIKING
Hop on your bike and follow the path of the Great Miami River and the Miami
& Erie Canal as it meanders through beautiful Miami County. Bike paths
run along the Miami River levee in both Troy and Piqua and at Piqua’s
Lock Nine Park. Take note that Tipp City’s new bike path is nearing
completion. Biking is also permitted on state routes and township roads.
Cyclists are asked to observe traffic rules and use extreme caution.
Experience
the gently rolling country on wheels – where parks and historic
sites will soon be connected by a system of paved, well-maintained bike
trails. With the City of Piqua leading the way, Miami County will soon
become connected by a unified bike path. To be known as the Miami
County Bikeway, plans are in the works to connect Tipp City with
Piqua, with other connections eventually taking cyclists to Cincinnati,
Yellow Springs and beyond. Piqua already has a 13-mile “loop”
in place that takes cyclists through both the city and country. The proposed
bikeway begins at the southern Miami County border, connecting to the
Montgomery County Metro Parks trail system that could one day connect
to Cincinnati. Entering Tipp City, trail users will pass through four
parks, the historic downtown district and right past the Great Miami River.
Much of the trail is planned to follow the old Miami-Erie Canal tow path.
Reaching Troy, the path will make its way through the city and its attractions
before reaching a long stretch of country where it will meet the existing
Piqua trail., The Miami County Bike Trail Task Force is coordinating the
effort to connect the county with bike
trails from top to bottom by the year 2004. |
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The
WACO Museum & Aviation Learning Center
105 South Market Street, Troy
(937) 335-WACO (9226)
Website:
http://www.wacoairmuseum.org/
Open: May 1-October 31, Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m., Also by appointment.
Free Admission
Each summer the skies above Troy become filled with WACO flying planes
and other aircraft resembling the type used by the Red Baron during
World War I, and more advanced aircraft used from 1920 through World
War II. In the early history of flight, Troy played an important role
in getting America off the ground. The WACO museum is a tribute to the
WACO Aircraft Company’s place in American aviation history. With
exhibits depicting the Troy company’s commercial and military
aircraft production and vintage aircraft, the museum is a one of a kind
experience for those with flight’s of fancy.
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The
WACO Field
1865 South County Road 25-A, Troy
(937) 335-WACO (9226)
Website:
http://www.wacoairmuseum.org/
Open: By appointment and for scheduled events.
Free Admission
The WACO Museum and Aviation Learning Center’s grass flying field
is a fully operational flight strip, used throughout the year by amateur
pilots. In the summer, the annual WACO Fly-in brings vintage aircraft
from around the country. During the festival, or by appointment, visitors
take a ride in a vintage aircraft and see the county from a bird’s-eye-view.
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Lock
Nine Park
Water and Spring Streets, Downtown Piqua
Open: Year Round
The location of this park is almost as rich as the artifacts it holds
within. Situated on a bend in the Great Miami River, Lock Nine Park conceals
a partially restored lock from the Miami-Erie Canal era and offers views
of the river and levee system unmatched anywhere else in the county. An
ivy covered brick wall along the west edge of the park contains a pictorial
history of transportation in Piqua and the role it took in creating the
city we see today. A view of the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge, now a bike
path, and the Garnsey Street bridge also make this park a visual masterpiece. |
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The
Miami and Erie Canal Heritage Corridor
For additional information, call 419-221-1232
www.meccainc.org
The Miami and Erie Canal, traversing 249 miles from Cincinnati to Toledo,
was begun on July 25, 1825 near Middletown. It was built in sections until
completed in 1845. Most of the work was done by Irish, French and German
immigrants, who labored for 31 cents a day and a jigger of whiskey. They
manually moved trees, rocks and soil to create the "big ditch"
though the wilderness. Structures on the canal included 19 aqueducts,
three guard locks, 103 lift locks, three major reservoirs, and "Deep
Cut" that was 6,600 feet long and 52-feet deep. The Miami and Erie
Canal Heritage Corridor extends from Delphos in Van Wert County south
to Piqua in Miami County.
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