A 6.5-mile canoe or kayak trip on the Olentangy River runs from River Run Park to Mingo Park in Delaware City. River Run Park is a canoe and kayak launch site; whether the trip is possible depends on river conditions. Along the way, you may see bald eagles, herons, turtles, and other wildlife. Sightings are not guaranteed. The route connects a specific destination with an opportunity to experience the river landscape from the water.
Parks, Trails, and Landscapes
At Blues Creek Park, 2.5 miles of trails wind through prairies, wooded areas, and wetlands; a creek is also part of the park’s landscape. A pond is designated for catch-and-release fishing. No fishing license is required. The trails and pond offer different ways to enjoy the park: you can explore the landscape on foot or take advantage of the fishing opportunity.
Gallant Woods Park features a different mix of landscapes: old-growth forest, meadows, restored prairies, and wetlands define the park. An interpretive gateway introduces visitors to the wetlands and explains the transition from farmland to restored natural habitats. This makes the landscape and its transformation a focus of the visit.
Deer Haven Park is home to the Amy Clark-Bader Bird Sanctuary. Permanently injured birds are on display there, along with rotating species of perching birds. The trails at Deer Haven Park and a neighboring park are connected and total about three miles.
At Shale Hollow Park, a creek runs through a winding corridor lined with shale cliffs 20 to 40 feet high. Waterfalls appear there at times. The McKay Lodge houses the interactive exhibit “What Lies Below.” Since the dates of the seasonal exhibit may change, it’s best to check before your visit.
River Route and Wildlife
In addition to the trails in the parks, the Ohio to Erie Trail offers another way to explore. It is primarily an off-road recreational trail made up of connected paved sections. Preservation Parks manages 6.5 miles of this trail. The details about the sections help you compare different nature experiences, from walking through individual park landscapes to taking a longer river trip with changing wildlife along the way.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is also one of Delaware County’s notable destinations. It is home to more than 600 animal species. A visit to see animals is thus a distinct focus alongside the experiences described along the river, in wetlands, and in the forest.
History, Art, and Discovery
History can be explored at several distinct sites. The Forrest Meeker Farm, with a house dating to 1823 and a barn dating to 1848, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Meeker Homestead Museum houses artifacts from the period before the American Civil War. Gallant Farm, in turn, depicts a farm from the Great Depression era. Together, these sites offer different ways to explore rural history and everyday life in the past.
For an interactive discovery experience, the Olentangy Caverns offer the Treasure Hunt Maze, with three special treasure stations. The Bigfoot Walking Trail is just under a mile long and runs over unpaved ground, with some grassy sections. These details give you a concrete idea of the trail’s length and surface without implying a specific walking time.
The Hands-On Art Barn in Galena offers holiday programs, classes, and a fully equipped ceramics studio. Perkins Observatory offers public astronomy programs during the day and at night. The range of experiences extends beyond nature and history: you can also include art and astronomy in your interests.
The Delaware County Wine & Ale Trail takes you to fourteen breweries and wineries in Delaware County. Participating businesses may change. If you’d like to include these stops in your travel plans, check the current selection in advance.
Discover more destinations: Orange, Delaware, Powell, Allen, Wayne, Auglaize County, Geauga County, Crawford County.
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