Franklin Township Greenway Trail

SR 219, Celina
419-394-1294

This 55 mile, continuous, non-motorized, paved walking trail is located on the south side of Grand Lake St Marys. It not only meanders through a 100-acre wildlife preservation area with an observation deck overlooking two wetlands, but also traverses two covered bridges along the scenic route

  Grand Lake St. Marys

Call 419-394-2774 to contact Grand Lake St. Marys State Park

Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio's largest inland lake, is the gateway to fishing, boating, swimming, biking and camping. Over 13,500 acres of surface water await the ardent angler. Excellent catches of crappie, catfish, bass, bluegill, as well as yellow perch in the winter are found in Grand Lake St. Marys. Boats with unlimited horsepower are permitted on the lake. Five state operated launch ramps also exist along the shallow shoreline. Fuel, boat rentals and seasonal dock rentals are available.

  GLSM State Fish Hatchery

East Bank Road, St. Marys
419-394-5170
Hours: Monday thru Friday, 7 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.

One of only six hatcheries in the state of Ohio, the St. Marys site is the only one that raises yellow perch and largemouth bass. Other species raised at the St. Marys site include channel catfish, fathead minnows, walleye pike, northern pike and saugeye. Free tours are available by appointment.

  The Langsdon Gem & Mineral Collection

The Mercer County District Library
303 North Main Street Celina
419-586-4442
http://www.mercer.lib.oh.us/minerals.htm

Rockhounds take note of this fabulous gem and mineral collection on displayto the public. The Mercer County District Library in Celina exhibits the collection consisting of 661 samples from all over the world. The specimums are housed in 12 custom built cabinets located in the center of the library. The collection was donated to the library by Ron and Ruth Langsdon on the basis that it be continually displayed to the public. Each sample is labeled with the mineral type and place of origin. Examples of minerals displayed are: apophyllite, stibnite, pyrite, galena, and purple amethyst. Displayed in brightly lit cases, the minerals sparkle and gleam with a life of their own. . The library offers classes and group tours by prior arrangement with Professor Ken Strickland who is the curator of the collection. The library is open six days a week with a variation in hours from summer to winter. Call ahead for library hours of service or to request a program or tour.

This 450-acre natural wonder offers a rare glimpse into Ohio’s Ice Age past. The glacier that swept across Ohio left behind plants that are unique to Cedar Bog, which became Ohio’s first nature preserve in 1942. Cedar Bog, at 980 Woodburn Rd., Urbana, is on the register of National Natural Landmarks. It is home to rare and endangered animals, such as the spotted turtle and Eastern Massasaugua rattlesnake.  Visitors admire the preserve’s orchid, prairie, and woodland wildflower displays from a nearly mile-long boardwalk.  A visitor center, built in 2009, features exhibits, a classroom, restrooms and a gift shop. Cedar Bog is administered by the Ohio Historical Society and managed locally by the Cedar Bog Association. 

For more information, call (800) 860-0147 or visit www.cedarbognp.org

Flowing through Champaign County, the Mad River offers the best trout fishing in Ohio. It also is a popular venue for canoeing and kayaking. Rentals are available at Birch Bark Canoe Livery, 1455 River Rd., Urbana, (937) 652-2663.  Entry points for fishing are at County Line Rd., Dallas Rd., State Route 55, Old Troy Pike, State Route 36, Millerstown Rd., State Route 29, Lippincott Rd., Upper Valley Pike, Sullivan Rd. and Pimtown Rd.

  Kiser Lake State Park

4889 N. St. Rt. 235
Conover, Ohio
(937) 362-3822
Reservations: (866) 644-6727
www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/kisrlake/tabid/751/Default.aspx

Kiser Lake State Park, a favorite getaway, beckons visitors with gently rolling, wooded hills, a serene 396-acre lake and a wetlands nature preserve. Activities at Kiser Lake include camping, sailing and other non-motorized boating, fishing, hunting, hiking on 11 miles of trails, picnicking, swimming and horseback riding.

Visitors enjoy the many crystal formations of the Ohio Caverns, one of Ohio’s top tourist attractions. The largest of Ohio’s cave systems, the caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through the ancient limestone. The result was vast rooms and passageways that later filled with countless crystals, stalactites, stalagmites and other underground formations.

Approximately 90 percent of its stalactite and stalagmite formations are still active. The cavern system was originally an aquifer, holding an underground river of melted glacier water.  A 35-acre park above ground contains a shelter house and picnic tables.

(937) 465-4017, www.ohiocaverns.com
Open throughout the year with tours daily

  Alice Bish Walkway

Ohio St., Greenville, OH 45331
Operated by Darke County Park District
937-548-0165
Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
www.DarkeCountyParks.org

In May 1994, Chalmer Bish wanted to do "something nice and healthy" for the community. His donation of over five acres of land along Greenville Creek for a park and walking trail was a testament to his commitment to both the community and the health benefits of walking. Today Alice Bish Park, named in honor of Chalmer's wife, provides not only a scenic nature trail along the banks the creek, but serves as the Trailhead for the Greenville Creek Trail extending from Darke County Parks' Alice Bish to the Greenville City Park.

Wood Ducks, Great Blue Herons, stately sycamores, and native wildflowers in season greet the visitor as you stroll along scenic Greenville Creek. The nature walkway of Alice Bish Park then loops across the paved Greenville Creek Trail and continues into a peaceful riparian corridor, returning periodically onto and along the paved trail with an eventual return to the trailhead.

Canoe and kayak enthusiasts can launch their craft at the Alice Bish Canoe Launch for a float downstream.

Alice Bish Park serves a dual role as the trailhead for both the paved multi-purpose trail and the nature walkway. Visitors can choose between a brisk pace along the paved trail or a casual peaceful walk streamside. In addition, the trail system provides access not only to the Greenville City Park but also on to Darke County Parks' Prairie Ridge, The Anthony Wayne Peace Council House and the trail to Tecumseh Point.

Easily accessible from Ohio Street in Greenville, nearby Alice Bish Park provides the ideal setting for a casual, stroll in any season, with nature and a scenic stream as your companions.

  Coppess Nature Sanctuary

Young Road south of St. Rt. 47 between Ansonia and Union City
Operated by Darke County Park District
937-548-0165
www.DarkeCountyParks.orG

Coppess Nature Sanctuary is a 32-acre woodland donated by Mrs. Frances Carpenter and was the catalyst for the creation of the Darke County Park District in 1972. Her wish to preserve a portion of Darke County as it might have appeared in pre-settlement time is a lasting tribute to her family and a legacy to all Darke County residents.

  Miami County Park District

Main Office at Lost Creek Reserve & Knoop Agricultural Heritage Center
2645 E. State Route 41
Troy, OH 45373
937-335-6273
www.MiamiCountyParks.com

Miami County has over 1,900 acres of natural areas, most of which are waiting for you to explore. From waterfalls to scenic rivers, from hiking trails to rolling prairies, the Miami County Park District offers many opportunities for you and your family to enjoy the great outdoors.

  Brukner Nature Center

5995 Horseshoe Bend Rd.
Troy, OH 45373
937-698-6493
www.BruknerNatureCenter.com

A must-see for the nature enthusiast! Surrounded by 165 woodland acres and bordered by the State Scenic Stillwater River, Brukner Nature Center is dedicated to environmental education, wildlife rehabilitation & preservation of this beautiful natural area.   All-season bird vista rooms, live native wildlife exhibits & an interactive environmental education center, plus 6 miles of hiking trails winding through a variety of ecological terrain including rolling hills, deep ravines & thick pine forests that tower above the visitors, give endless opportunities to bond with nature.   Brukner Nature Center is renowned for nurturing and releasing injured, sick or orphaned native Ohio wildlife.   A few that cannot be released back into the wild will find permanent homes at Brukner Nature Center as “Wildlife Ambassadors”.   A restored 1804 log home & herb gardens complete this tranquil setting.   Naturalists provide guided tours & presentations for groups.  

Call to schedule.  Interpretive building is open to public 7 days a week, Mon-Sat, 9-5, Sunday 12:30 – 5:00 pm. Closed holidays. Trails are open sunrise to sunset.

4401 Fort Loramie-Swanders Road
Minster, Ohio 45865
Ph: 937-295-2011
www.ohiodnr.com      

A 1,600-acre lake with 30 miles of shoreline, Lake Loramie offers unsurpassed convenience for the outdoor enthusiast who wants to combine hiking, boating, and camping adventures.  Lake Loramie visitors can set up camp and conveniently launch their boats knowing there is plenty of opportunity for leisure cruising on the scenic waters. A designated swimming area gives young and old alike a chance to enjoy the water or simply relax in the sun. Bicycles can be rented at the park's camp office providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the park and the nearby communities of Ft. Loramie and Minster.  Hiking trails, lush picnic areas, and an abundance of sport fishing excitement awaits those visiting Lake Loramie and its four seasons of outdoor fun.

  Tawawa Park

12 Tawawa Drive
Sidney, Ohio 45365
Ph: 937-498-8155
www.sidneyoh.com/parks/park_info/Tawawa.html

Tawawa Park was established in 1948 and consists of 192 wooded acres that provide shelters, playground equipment, picnic areas, sports fields, two lakes, and Tawawa Creek.  Miles of hiking and biking trails are very popular with guests in the spring, summer, and fall.  Tawawa Park is being preserved to retain a rustic natural setting where wildlife is protected.  The covered bridge and Big Rock are popular gathering spots in the park.  No fee permits for fishing are available from the Parks Office or the Sidney Police Department.  The park is also home to Sidney’s municipal swimming pool.

This garden, located in Smiley Park on the southwest side of Van Wert, provides a hands-on learning facility for the children of Van Wert County. A gazebo is positioned in the center with several theme gardens radiating out from this structure. The first garden, currently being constructed, is a large butterfly shaped garden outlined by flagstone and incorporating vibrant plantings that butterflies love. A walkway through the center of the garden leads you to the colorful Butterfly House that will have lush plantings of aromatic flowers that attract the many multihued butterflies which will be making their residence in the House. The garden is a work in progress -  recently a fossil garden path was dedicated.  The path is made up of limestone rocks from both the Silurian (440 million years ago) and the Devonian (410 million years ago) geologic time periods.  Dead animals and plants settled into the sedimentary layer and over time became fossils.  The fossils on display at the Children's Garden come from the Stoneco Ostrander Quarry near Columbus, Ohio.

For more information about the Children Garden contact the Van Wert Area CVB at 419.238.9378 or 877.989.2282.

Situated on 252.6 acres of land just west of the city of Van Wert, Camp Clay offers many activities for lots of family fun. Included at Camp Clay is Lake Rotary, a 5-acre lake in the shape of Ohio. Boating, fishing, and swimming are encouraged. A shelter house next to the lake provides shade and picnic facilities. Clay Center is a multi-purpose gym area equipped for indoor soccer, and indoor tennis. The camp also features the Rotary Nature Center housing a live bee hive, snakes, turtles, fish, mice, and other animals as well as rock, leaf, insect, and other environmental displays. A 1-mile hiking trail through a wooded area and a Challenge Course consisting of 35-foot high obstacles provide opportunities for leadership and team building events. Camp Clay is located at 9196 Liberty-Union Road. 

For more information about Camp Clay contact the Van Wert YMCA at 419.238.0443 or visit their website at www.vwymca.com

Farming has been the backbone of the economy in Van Wert County since the first settlements were established in the mid-1800s.  Farmers have been raising corn, soybeans and livestock for generations.  Homegrown wind power will soon be another crop from the farm fields of the county for generations to come.  The project consists for approximately 400 – 2.0 megawatt wind turbines.  These turbines will have the capacity to power more than 175,000 homes annually.  A drive-it yourself tour is available with maps provided by the Van Wert Area CVB. 

For more information contact them at 419.238.9378 or 877.989.2282