Emily Traphagen Park

Amenities

Park Size

100 Acres

Hours of Operation

Discover Your Park

With its tall trees, wetlands, pond and meadows, beautiful Emily Traphagen Park provides a respite from the suburban development around it. The park, with its proximity to the Scioto River, attracts waterfowl, such as mallards, kingfishers, wood ducks and great blue herons.

At times, you may spot many white-tailed deer that call this park home. Watch for woodland wildflowers in the spring, and Queen Anne’s lace and other meadow flowers in the summer. In the natural play area, children can play in an earth-covered tunnel, sit at log tables and jump from stump to stump as they enjoy nature in whole new way.

Emily Traphagen Park resulted from the desire of Dr. Donald Traphagen to memorialize his wife, Emily, through the preservation of the property she loved. He was instrumental in helping Preservation Parks protect this oasis of open space.

The park was opened to the public in 2003.

Emily Traphagen Park History

Trail Information

Whitetail Loop Trail (Gravel Trail)

Approximate walking time: 20 minutes; little elevation change
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.
Meets guidelines for outdoor accessibility.

Beginning near the information kiosk, this 0.6-mile gravel loop winds through a wetland woods, then traverses a meadow on an elevated gravel trail where wetlands are evident during certain times of year. Along the trail, you will see many trees on the ground which have succumbed to age, insect infestation or weather. Be on the lookout for a red-tailed hawk’s nest, barred owls and white-tailed deer, as well as deer beds in the meadow grass. Sightings of meadowlarks are also possible. The pond overlook branches off of this trail.

Pond Overlook (Gravel Trail)

Approximate walking time: 5 minutes; little elevation change
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.

This 0.1-mile gravel trail leads to a bench overlooking a pond and wood duck boxes. In addition to wood ducks, you might see mallards, kingfishers and great blue herons.

Meadow Trail (Grass Trail)

Approximate walking time: 20 minutes; little elevation change
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.

This 0.5-mile trail crosses the dam that forms the park pond, affording visitors a good look at the wildlife on the pond. Then it loops through a former farm field, now grown up with Queen Anne’s lace and other meadow plants. Preservation Parks is reforesting this area. Look for cottontails and groundhogs, along with field sparrows, song sparrows, trees swallows swooping and hawks circling overhead.