The Toledo Metroparks - a Family Adventure

Northwest Ohio offers a large selection of metroparks for families of all sizes and ages. For those who enjoy getting outside and seeing nature up close and in person, the metroparks system offers that experience. If you live in the area, or are looking to vacation with us, a plethora of sites provide an enjoyable time. I would like to give you a sample of some of those, along with our family's person favorites.

There are 11 metroparks in the Toledo area, each offering a unique look at nature around us. Our favorite is Wildwood Preserve, with many diverse and abundant plants and animals that call the preserve home. There are large playgrounds here, for children age 1 to teenager. The preserve also has a bridge walkway that runs alongside of Ottawa River, providing a spectacular view deep in the trees rising high above. Our children especially love being able to run up and down the bridge and here the boards under their feet. Also on the property is the impressive Manor house, a large home built in 1938 as the Stranahan family home, the original owners of the property. The house has 35 primary rooms, 17 bathrooms and 16 fireplaces. The home is modeled in 18th century Georgian colonial style, and is decorated throughout accordingly to the style. Also on property is the Oak Grove School, built in 1897, a one-room brick schoolhouse that was originally not in the park limits but was preserved and brought in. The school is open for special events and on some weekends.

Fallen Timbers in Perrysburg township is another great metropark. This property is made up by 3 areas: Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fallen Timbers Monument, and Fort Miamis (a Maumee city park). The battlefield is the site of a victory by the United States led by General 'Mad' Anthony Wayne over a group of native Americans led by Miami Chief Little Turtle. The metroparks reached an agreement to buy the 187-acre site considered to be a key portion of the battlefield site. On this site we have the large battlefield, but also Fort Miamis, home to General Anthony Wayne's legion from 1796 to 1798 and later was the site of a battle in the War of 1812. Also the Fallen Timbers Monument, which memorializes the battle that occurred and its warriors: General Wayne, the American Indians and the Kentucky Militia. The kids will enjoy the fort most of all, especially exploring and running through the large entryways.

Oak Opening Preserve is near the Toledo Express Airport, and offers a different look to the other parks mentioned so far. This large park showcases a variety of climates all in one area, the hot, dry sand dune with cactus grow near the wet, low lands with wild flowers and orchids growing lush in the area. A fan favorite for the little ones, and adults, here are the birds. This preserve offers a chance to see a large variety of birds in a natural habitat. Over 50 miles of trails and lanes in the preserve make it easy to explore all of the areas that make up the Oak Openings Region.

Bend View park is the most scenic of the parks available to the family looking to enjoy nature in all of its beauty. Bend View's name showcases its best side- an amazing view of a 90-degree bend in the Maumee River. The Waterville park is only accessible by hiking 2.2 miles from Farnsworth on the Towpath Trail. The hike, although long, will more than be worth the trip for this amazing view along the State Scenic River. The fore mentioned Towpath Trail is flanked by the river on one side and the former Miami and Erie Canal on the other, the Towpath Trail stretches 8.3 miles down towards Defiance, Ohio. The trail is named for its role as a pathway used for mules to tow canal boats down the river.

The Toledo area Metroparks offer a chance to really enjoy all of the nature and beauty that may just be hiding outside your door in Northwest Ohio. Just like our family, I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy these and the other parks in the system, and try to get back in touch with the outside world with your children. Enjoy and happy hunting!