This beautiful 300-acre park contains woodlands, farmland, 80-acres of wetlands, a fabulous fishing pond, a historical barn, and is crossed at the corner by the Jerome Fork. The park district plans to preserve the barn and farm the land since part of our mission is to preserve our agricultural heritage. This park was officially opened to the public in the fall of 2022. A drive way, parking lot, and perimiter trail was created. More development will continue in the future.
This wonderful donation was made by the Taylor family on behalf of Louaine Leisching, which owned the land for the past 50 years. The barn on the property is the oldest documented barn in Ashland County, and was built in the early 1820s shortly after the land was granted to the original owners in a deed signed by President James Monroe. The barn includes hand-cut stone at its base, and hand-hewn beams that were enlarged and raised (made taller) in the 1880s.
The Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park consists of approximately 80 acres with significant wildlife habitat, gently rolling meadows, a wooded ravine, and a pond. There will be public access for fishing, hiking, bird watching, nature study and more. This park is situated in Montgomery Township and ideally located near the heart of Ashland at the intersection of State Route 60 and County Road 1754.
This beautiful park was acquired on December 16, 2019 from the Ashland County Commissioners. A State of Ohio Clean Ohio grant funded the land transfer. This park was named after the current commissioner, Tom Kruse, who has played a major role since the establishment of the park district in 2002. Construction has been completed to enhance the pond, construct a handicap accessible fishing pier, and the addition of trails. The Ashland County Park District is proud of the partnership they’ve forged with the Ashland County Commissioners and that they can continue to keep its promises to the great citizens of Ashland County.
On May 7, 2025, the Ashland County Park District held a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the newly built Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center.
Cool Springs Wildlife Conservation Park is comprised of 192 acres situated on the Jerome Fork of the Mohican River. Featuring hilly terrain with areas of grassland, forest, and marsh, there are also a number of natural springs on the property as well as a five-foot waterfall. Three spring-fed ponds provide fishing opportunities. Approximately 50 acres of the park is actively farmed.
The park is split by County Road 37 with roughly 100 acres on each side of the road. Thirty acres of mature woodlands are found in both the east and west areas of the park. The west side crosses the Black Fork River which is accessible to the determined hiker. Much of the land is wetlands, low brush, button bush swamps, and inhabit- ed by beaver, muskrat and, no doubt, deer. There are two wetlands divided by a dike.
The woodlands on the west side of the road include trails on the perimeter of a farm field next to beautiful stands of oaks and hickory. There is an abundance of wildflowers in the spring. The east side of the road includes trails going from the picnic area through a stand of beautiful white oaks and meandering back to the many springs that feed the creek. In the near future, a picnic pavilion will be added to this beautiful area. Hop across the swinging bridge for a different trail destination. One historical highlight of the park is that Johnny Appleseed once had a small apple tree plantation on the property.
Much of the park is open to seasonal public hunting with the exception of the picnic area located near the spring-fed ponds. Cool Springs is located at 2159 County Road 37, Jeromesville, OH 44840.
Totalling 11-acres, River Walk Natural Area is nestled along the Jerome Fork of the Mohican River just south of Ashland and provides an opportunity to enjoy over 1500 feet of river access. Hiking, bird watching, spring wildflower viewing, are available along the 3/4 mile trail. The site provides canoeing/kyaking on the Jerome Fork.
Both the river and park are home to diverse communities of animals including turtles, river otters, wood ducks, herons, deer, and an impressive number of insects. Towering buckeye and walnut trees stand silent watch over the flood plain and wait patiently for your visit.
Note: Insect repellant is advised during summer months.
This 127-acre property previously belonged to Tom and Pat Gordon. The Ashland Chapter of Pheasants Forever purchased the land from the Gordons in 2006 and donated it to Ashland County Park District with the condition that the site be maintained as a public hunting area and park.
The park contains several unique habitats including swamp forest, marsh, grassland, and upland forest. The bottoms area of the park is swamp forest where green dragon, a rare wildflower, can be seen. The marsh habitat is home to a variety of native plants including an aquatic carnivorous plant, the bladderwort, and also serves as a breeding ground for waterfowl such as Canada geese and the endangered trumpeter swan. Muskrat lodges dot the marsh and provide nesting platforms for waterfowl.
The grassland is former farmland that has been replanted and now supports a variety of animals including rabbits, deer, and grassland birds. The upland forest contains many native trees including oak, shagbark hickory, sugar maple, and American beech. The front area of the park is primarily grassland that is maintainted as an area for upland game hunting. There’s also a 12×20 pavilion that overlooks the smaller prairie near the paved parking lot. The back half of the park is primarily forested with two large marshes created by beaver dams. Park visitors can enjoy two miles of hiking trails.
This gorgeous 163-acre park is located along the Blackfork of the Mohican River, 10 miles west of Ashland. It has over three miles of hiking trails that run through a unique mixture of prairie grasslands, hardwood forests, pine forests, wetlands, swamps forests, marshes, beaver ponds, and floodplains.
The 16-acre marsh that lies in the park is home to a myriad of wetland loving birds, mink, muskrat, amphibians, and a wide variety of native sedges and unusual plants. The winding Black Fork River which is surrounded by floodplains that host an unusually large population of leopard and pickerel frogs. The river is available for fishing with a State of Ohio license. Beavers have occasionally damned up a tributary entering the river.
The park was made possible by the Cooke family of Ashland, and being an avid sportsmen, the park includes a trap shooting range and a three-acre fishing pond. The enclosed pavilion over looks the beautiful three acre pond. This park also has hunting access, which is restricted during parts of the hunting season. Hunting for deer (bow and gun) turkey, and small game is permitted at this site.
Byers Woods is an 215-acre park, in a repurposed landfill, where visitors will find over three miles of well-maintained trails looping through a wide variety of habitats – including forest, grasslands, wetlands, fishing ponds and more. This site hosts a tremendous diversity of birds and wildlife.
In the middle of Byers Woods are two fenced-in retired 50-acre landfill mounds, which are off limits to the public until the 30-year EPA closure is completed in 2030. The cold-season grasses on the landfill mounds are a great habitat for birds and deer.
There are 50 acres of hardwood forest, which includes a large variety of native species attractive to wildlife including oaks, maples, hickories, and beech trees. Most notable are the massive and majestic swamp white oaks that stand in the heart of the forest.
Thanks to the Ashland County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, there are 75 acres of grasslands containing five species of prairie grasses and many native wildflowers. A state of Ohio Clean Ohio grant also provided another 40 acres of grassland in December 2019. These fields are home to jumping mice, prairie voles, dozens of butterfly species, and grassland nesting birds. Most notable of these birds is the endangered bobolink, which lives and nests in the park in large numbers. Because of this, the Mohican Audubon Society (GMAS) holds a well-attended “Bobolinks and Butterflies Festival” every year in June. GMAS has identified 161 different species of birds!
There are four fishing ponds in the park. These ponds provide fun for sportsmen and families alike – catching bass, bluegill, and catfish. There is no fishing license required, although all fishing is catch-and-release only. These ponds are also especially attractive to dozens of unique and beautiful species of dragonflies – attracting naturalists and photographers.
In 1971, Ashland County bought 180 acres of farmland that became the Ashland County Landfill. This landfill was in service for 26 years and ceased operation in 1997. Required environmental monitoring and regular maintenance are done each year by the county solid waste district.
Byers Woods was named in honor of the late State Representative Eugene Byers and longtime County Commissioner Marilyn Byers for their service and dedication to Ashland County. In 2004, Ashland County Park District was given a 99-year lease to operate Byers Woods as a county park.
Thanks to the levy, the park district completed several capital improvement projects at this park. A beautiful 1.1 mile paved trail was added as well as paved parking lots, an accessible playground, an accessible restroom, a restroom, and a pavilion. The paved trail starts at the front parking lot, travels around the middle pond and finishes the loop around the east mound. The 50×40 playground and 12×20 pavilion is easily accessable from the front parking lot as well.
This 66-acre wooded park was originally designed to attract waterfowl. Today, it is ideal for hiking and bird watching. In addition to two miles of hiking trails, the site contains a 4.5-acre fishing pond, a 12-acre shallow pond complex, and a 2.5-acre duck pond. The park also has mature woods and a small buttonbush marsh. A large observation tower overlooking the park is temporarily closed for maintenance.
In 2019, a second parking lot was installed just 500 feet north of the main parking lot for quicker and easier access to the fishing pond. The original corn crib was also converted into a picnic shelter. Two interior walls were removed along with the garage doors, the concrete pad was replaced, and picnic tables will be installed. In 2023, a paved trail will be added and both parking lots will be paved.
The 283-acre Pine Hill Park was created by combining two land parcels – 186 acres of the historical Sauers family farm and 97 acres of woodland owned by the Crall family. The property naturally divides itself into Crall Woods and Sauers Farm, each with its own district and unique characteristics.
Pine Hill Sauers Farm
This 99-acre park is a hiker’s delight with over three miles of trails that wind through a mixture of habitats. There are roughly 25 acres of tranquil hardwood forest, with a deep ravine and meandering creek. Visitors will also enjoy 25 acres of mixed young forest and thickets, full of song birds and the highest butterfly population in the park district. There is another 25 acres of prairie grasses and wildflowers that are calming to walk.
The land was acquired by the Sauers family and Clean Ohio grant. The heart of the park is the Sauers family homestead. There are several other buildings, including two timber framed barns. The oldest barn was built in the 1850’s and is available for rental. It also serves as home for a two-story cider press from the 1880’s. An orchard on the property grows 45 varieties of apples which help supply the stock for the cider press demonstration held at the park. The homestead area also has a fishing pond, a picnic area, a playground, and a 12×20 picnic pavilion.
From 2018 to 2020, a concrete paved parking lot was added, a public restroom facility, playground, and picnic pavilion.
Reserve Sauers Barn at Pine Hill: Sauers Barn location offers picturesque hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing pond, new playground, and new handicap accessible restroom facility with a paved parking lot. The barn contains an 1850’s cider press and farm implements from the 1800’s. There is currently no running water at the site, but has electric capability and ample table/chairs. Rental also includes tables and chairs for 250 people. For more information, or to reserve a date, please contact our park office at (419) 289-3524.
