Blues Creek Park

9627 Fontanelle Road, Ostrander, OH 43061

ALERT: Beginning Nov 12, the Bluestem Trail will be closed for construction. Please use caution and watch for moving construction equipment throughout the park

Blues Creek Park

Amenities

Park Size

138.4 acres

Hours of Operation

Discover Your Park

Prairies, a sparkling creek, forested areas and wetlands characterize Blues Creek, which is named for the creek that meanders along the park’s northern edge. In late summer and early fall, the prairies are vibrant with bright yellow, purple and white flowers, interspersed with tall prairie grasses. The prairie areas are surrounded by mature woodlands, and areas that have been reforested.

Foxes, pheasants, kestrels, meadowlarks, and American woodcock might all be seen during walks along the 2.5 miles of trails, and the restored wetlands attract the vociferous spring peepers and other frogs. Among the insect species, painted lady butterflies can be spotted, and the prairies will be full of orb-weaving spiders hoping to ensnare their prey.

Special features of the park include a catch-and-release fishing pond for all ages, which allows park visitors to learn and participate in a sport they can enjoy their entire lives. No license is required to fish in this pond. The hill in the center of park is a sled hill on snowy days and, all year round, provides an expansive view of the park. There also are two picnic shelters that can be rented; scroll down for information.

Blues Creek Preserve was acquired at public auction in 1993 with funds provided by an anonymous donor. The original purchase was 97.5 acres, and an adjoining 40.9 acres were acquired in 1999. The park was opened to the public in 2001.

Blues Creek Park History

Trail Information

Shagbark Loop Trail (Gravel Trail)

Approximate walking time: 45 minutes; little elevation change
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.
Meets guidelines for outdoor accessibility.

At 1.1 miles, this gravel trail is the longest in the park. You may enter the trail across the drive from the small parking lot near the park entrance, at the pedestrian bridge, or near the picnic shelters. This trail takes you through a meadow which is reverting from a previous farm field to a wooded area. The many young trees you will see are evidence of this succession. After traversing the meadow, you will enter a mature woods where you will see several large shagbark hickory trees. This section of the trail is a loop and leads you back to the meadow portion of the trail, or you may choose to continue onto the Bluestem Trail. A variety of wildlife may be seen from this, or any, trail in the park.

Bluestem Trail (Grass Trail)

Approximate walking time: 15 minutes; little elevation change
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.

This 3/10 mile grass loop leads you through a meadow which has emerging prairie plants, such as big bluestem, and a small wetland.

Fox Run (Grass Trail)

Approximate walking time: 30 minutes; little elevation change. NOTE: there is no shade along this trail.
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.

Beginning at the picnic area parking lot, this 5/10 mile grass trail winds through a meadow in which you might see foxes, deer, pheasants, wild turkeys and a variety of other grassland birds, such as red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks, eastern bluebirds, and kestrels. The trail also climbs the sledding hill, providing a panoramic view of the park from the top of the hill.

Meadowlark Trail (Grass Trail)

Approximate walking time: 25 minutes; Little elevation change
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.

Also beginning at the picnic area parking lot, this 1/2 mile grass loop trail heads north towards Blues Creek as it winds its way through a separate section of the meadow. Because this trail comes closer to the woods and stream corridor, other bird species which may be seen include hawks, owls, fox sparrows and eastern towhees.