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.
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.
Most of this 215-acre park was acquired in 2007 through the efforts of the Greater Mohican Audubon Society and a grant from the Clean Ohio Fund. The park was dedicated and opened in the spring of 2009.
The park lies east of a large cattail marsh that is a short walk from the parking lot. A 250-foot boardwalk was built across the marsh, and is the only access to the main body of the park. In 2019, the original boardwalk was replaced due to deterioration. The new boardwalk was increased to 300-foot to prevent flooding, includes railings, and was raised 3 foot higher. Beyond the boardwalk are two short 0.5 mile loops and a 1.5 mile loop around the edges of the park, which contain five bridges that cross over old river channels. Gravel trails wind through woods, meadows, wetlands and along the Jerome Fork River.
Since the Jerome Fork River flows through the park, there is a great deal of ecological diversity to explore. There are riverbanks, old river channels, and over 100 acres of swamp oak maple forest lying in the floodplains on both sides of the river. Several wetlands are present, including a rare sweet flag marsh, a high quality greater burr reed marsh, and a buttonbush marsh. These low areas are home to a great many spring wildflowers, including green dragon, and other unusual species. There are scattered dry uplands throughout the park where a wide variety of wildflowers thrive throughout the summer and fall. Many species of trees populate the park – including swamp white oak, hickory, and pawpaw. The park is also home to a vast array of sedges.
The ecological diversity of Audubon Wetland Preserve includes a variety of habitats. The wetlands provide breeding grounds for salamanders, peepers, frogs, and toads – all which fill the spring air with sounds. The Greater Mohican Audubon Society identified over 96 species of birds, including Sora, Virginia rail, common gallinule, and sandhill cranes. There is even a Blue Heron Rookery near the river and a Bald Eagle’s nest on the preserve.
With all of the colors and sounds of the season, an autumn walk in Audubon Wetlands Preserve can be a memorable experience. Winter is splendid with the silence, the silhouetted trees, the ice covered wetlands, and the tracks in the snow of wildlife. Enjoy our picnic pavilion which overlooks the swamp and newly renovated 300-foot boardwalk. We hope you find the time to walk and experience this vast and wonderful park.
Note: Insect repellant is advised during summer months.
Located along the Black Fork River bordered by the Ashland University wetlands, the property contains 76 acres. The site is mostly floodplain forrest. Also, a buttonbush swamp and a marsh are found here.
A large beaver dam flooded almost 20 acres to create the buttonbush swamp where muskrats, beaver, and a variety of waterfowl live. At present, there are limited trails for walking and hiking. While a full trail loop has yet to be developed, there is still am- ple opportunity to enjoy the wetlands, upland forest, and river bottom forest. The dedicated hiker will find summer and fall to be the best time to hike when the mosquito population diminishes. The property is also popular for seasonal hunting and fishing. Access to the area is of off of Crider Road underneath the I-71 bridge.
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.
Situated along the Black Fork River, the 63 acres comprising this park hold a varitey of habitats. Twenty acres of seasonal wetlands constructed by the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife service (USFWS) host flocks of waterfowl during spring and fall migrations. Trails and bridges wind through grasslands, forests, and wetland meadows.
This park is best suited for summer and fall hiking since spring time often brings heavy flooding. For the ambitious hiker, bird watching is excellent. You can expect to see a wide variety of species from red-headed woodpeckers to sandhill cranes to prothonotary warblers. You might even have the opportunity to see eagles feasting on fish trapped in the basins left by the receding river.
In addition to the wetlands, there are a great many wildflowers that have been planted by USFWS for perfect viewing in the summer and fall. There are also a number of leopard frogs that grequent the wet areas. Access to boating and riverbanks is provided for fishing. Canoeing and boating is available to north and south, but log jams especially to the south, may require returning to Carpenter to complete your trip. Your canoeing/kyaking experience meanders through woodland meadows and farm country. Take a break near the parking lot and enjoy the picnic pavilion. Trips are best in the early summer before the river gets low. This area of the river is a popular fishing spot for pike in the spring time and catfish and red horse suckers in the summer and fall.
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 (permit required) 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.
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.
