ASHLAND — As Ashland County saw its first signs of springtime, the county was under a stay-at-home order along with the rest of Ohio.
It closed businesses and restricted travel, but local parks remained open and accessible for residents to enjoy the outdoors.
If you didn’t know, the Ashland County Park District manages 18 parks across the county.
Since other recreation was limited in the past month and a half, Ashland Source featured all of these parks with short stories every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
And now — in case you missed one or two — we’ve compiled the whole list for you to enjoy into the summer.
What are you waiting for? Maybe you’ll have a relaxing afternoon with your family. Maybe you’ll spot a beaver, a leopard frog or an eagle. Maybe you’ll experience Ashland County in a whole new way.
1. Audubon Wetlands Preserve
The Audubon Wetlands Preserve may be one of the best places to enjoy springtime in Ashland, according to Ashland County Park District director Stephanie Featheringill.
The 215-acre park is the ideal spot to hear frogs, see wildlife and spot wildflowers on either a short hike along one of two half-mile trails or a longer two-mile hike.
2. Freer Field
Freer Field is likely the Ashland County Park District’s most popular park.
The park is perhaps best known regionally as site of Ashland’s annual Balloonfest and other community events, but the 78-acre park also serves as a recreational destination year-round.
Freer Field features two miles of hiking trails. A one-mile, paved loop is ideal for bikes and strollers. The other one-mile trail is what Featheringill calls a natural trail, one that isn’t paved.
3. Crall Woods
In the far northwestern corner of Ashland County, Pine Hill Park’s Crall Woods offers views of an old growth forest and in the springtime, wildflowers.
It was nationally recognized as a natural landmark by the National Park Service in 1974.
4. Byers Woods Park
Prior to becoming one of the Ashland County Park District’s most popular family parks, Byers Woods operated as a landfill for 26 years.
The park features more than three miles of hiking trails, a paved trail and four catch-and-release-only fishing pond.
5. Hurdle Waterfowl Park
The name gives it away: Hurdle Waterfowl Park is perhaps the best of Ashland County Park District’s 18 parks to spot ducks and geese.
Prior to becoming a park in 2011, the Hurdle family used the property as a retreat, where they could enjoy watching wildlife.
6. Black Fork Bottoms Hunting Area
Black Fork Bottoms Hunting Area isn’t only for hunting, the 127-acre park, located at 1457 State Route 42, also features two-miles of hiking trails.
The property previously belonged to Tom and Pat Gordon, and was donated to the ACPD after the Ashland Chapter of Pheasants Forever purchased the land from the Gordons in 2006.
7. Sprinkle’s Serenity Park
In the northeastern portion of Ashland County, Sprinkle’s Serenity Park offers a peaceful spot to observe wildlife.
The 103-acre park was purchased in 2011 and opened in June 2014 near Hurdle Waterfowl Park.
8. Tupelo Bottoms
Tupelo Bottoms is one of the Ashland County Park District’s newest parks. The 41-acre park was acquired in 2013 and opened in 2017.
It’s named after the tupelo (or black gum) tree that can be found within the park, but more than 250 plants and tree have been identified there.
9. River Walk Natural Area
At the River Walk Natural Area, hikers can travel along a trail that’s positioned only a few feet from the Jerome Fork of the Mohican River.
Located just south of Ashland, this 11-acre park is ideal for hiking, kayaking and canoeing.
10. Ashland Fire Company Nature Cabin
Once used as a retreat for the volunteer firefighters, the Ashland Fire Company Nature Cabin now is used for events of all kinds.
The Ashland County Park District acquired the nature cabin, located at 1498 State Route 511 South in Ashland, less than a decade ago from the former Ashland Fire Company, a group of volunteer firefighters.
When not rented for a private party, the facility’s picnic table and shelter can be used by park visitors. Trails are always open to the public.
11. Carpenter Nature Preserve
If you’ve ever wanted to see a leopard frog, Carpenter Nature Preserve is the place to go.
The spotted amphibians can be found throughout the 63-acre park, located on Pavonia East Road in eastern Richland County.
12. Gilliom-Cherp Nature Park
The 176-acre park is adjoined to Black Fork Bottoms Park via an easement across private land.
The Gilliom-Cherp Nature Park is the ideal scene for public hunting and fishing, but the property also allows for hiking and has access to the Black Fork for canoeing and kayaking.
13. Hopkins Landing
Even Ashland County Park District’s smallest park has much to offer.
Though only four acres in size, Hopkins Landing features plentiful opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. It’s ideal for anyone looking to fish, canoe, kayak or hike.
14. Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park
The Ashland County Park District’s newest park has lots of potential.
The Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park will feature a catch-and-release fishing pond and trails leading into the woods and along a ravine.
15. Esbenshade Wetlands Area
The 76-acre park is largely marsh-covered. A large beaver dam flooded nearly 20 acres once, creating the buttonbush swamp ideal for much of the park’s wildlife.
The park is most popular for hunting and fishing, but it does feature a few dead-end hiking trails.
16. Sauers Farm
Sauers Farm is likely the Ashland County Park District’s most popular park for photography.
Located at 260 Township Road 1601 in Greenwich, Sauers Farm is the larger of the two land parcels marking up the 283-acre Pine Hill Park.
17. Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park
The Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park is one of the Ashland County Park District’s 18 parks where beaver can be spotted.
Once, beaver built a dam that flooded the back half of the park.
18. Cool Springs Wildlife Conservation Park
Cool Springs Wildlife Conservation Park is probably most distinguished by its hilly terrain and a five-foot waterfall.
The 192-acre park is split by County Road 37 with roughly 100 acres on either side of the road. The one side features a hilly hike with a waterfall destination, while across the road, another trail leads around approximately 50 acres of actively farmed land.
