Photo of the Toledo Botanical Garden by Mbrickn, licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
We’re thrilled to once again shine a spotlight on our amazing, nationally-recognized Toledo Metroparks. (Check out the first part of this blog series here.) With 19 parks spanning more than 13,000 acres across Lucas County, our Metroparks are an immense source of pride for Toledoans. Here are 5 more scenic sanctuaries for you to explore!
TOLEDO BOTANICAL GARDEN
5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo, OH
Set on over 60 acres, TBG offers a dazzling display of gardens and plant collections. The Artisan Village is the region's largest public collection of sculptures. TBG is a welcoming experience for all with the Secret Forest, a children’s playscape, and Doneghy Inclusive Garden, an accessible, sensory experience. It hosts the annual Crosby Festival of the Arts in addition to Jazz in the Garden, a summer concert series.
FARNSWORTH
8505 S River Road (US 24), Waterville, OH
Farnsworth is a very narrow park meandering along the Maumee River. Despite its small size, it’s one of the most photographed Metroparks due to the backdrop of the Interurban Bridge remains. The railway was once the world's largest earth-filled, concrete reinforced bridge, but has been abandoned since the late-1930s and is set to be demolished in the upcoming year. Bridge or no bridge, this park has plenty to offer! The 8-mile Towpath Trail, which follows the historic Miami and Erie Canal, connects Farnsworth, Bend View, and Providence Metroparks.
BLUE CREEK
7035 Providence Street, Whitehouse, OH
Blue Creek is the home of Metroparks Toledo’s native seed nursery, which aids in habitat restoration throughout Lucas County. Visitors can enjoy the Quarry Pond Trail, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sledding in the winter. Blue Creek was also the site of limestone quarries in the 1800s and several still-standing outbuildings that operated as a Toledo prison farm in the early-1900s.
Photo of Madewell Trail at Howard Marsh by David Wilson, licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
HOWARD MARSH
611 S Howard Road, Curtice, OH
Metroparks Toledo calls Howard Marsh one of its most ambitious projects as it entails the restoration of a 1,000-acre wetland. This park has 6 miles of water trails and 5 miles of biking/hiking trails. It is a hotspot for birders with sightings of over 230 species—more than half of the known species ever recorded in Ohio. Howard Marsh is adjacent to Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area and the region also includes Maumee Bay State Park, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo of Middlegrounds Metropark by Limpfster94, licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
MIDDLEGROUNDS
111 Ottawa Street, Toledo, OH
Located on the Maumee River in downtown Toledo, this city park was transformed by removing 8,000 tons of debris. The ongoing development includes 28-acres of urban greenspace that will eventually be part of the Glass City Riverwalk. It offers a 1.5-mile path, a kayak cove, a hub for the Veo bike share, and an off-leash dog area that is free and open to the public.
With spring right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get some fresh air and explore our region’s natural beauty! Visit metroparkstoledo.com to find a park near you.