We take our dogs there for walks along the paths and enjoy the water fall pavillion and pool. Very…read morebeautiful park. However they need to update security so there aren't any vandalism after dark

Great spot on the River. Nice food and ice cream trucks We had a spot right on the water.read more

Growing up along the Maumee River I have fond memories of picnics and games here. Mary Jane…read moreThurston (note spelling) is well maintained. The trees are big oak trees that shade picnic areas. There is a swing set and trails to walk or ride a bicycle. A shelter house is handicapped accessible with a party room and a porch with picnic tables. The view of the river here is one of the best. The river is wide. There's a dam that has a good flow of water for fishing. As a kid Dad took our boat through the canal locks which looks like you can still do that. Don't forget a walk to the village of Grand Rapids. It's only .2 miles and it's a destination with cute shops and eateries. A campground and boat ramp are just to south of the park.

We enjoyed our hike through the preserve. The large loop was closed which was fine since the sun…read morewas blazing hot. The trees created a dense canopy which made walking even on a very hot day mostly enjoyable. The views of the lake weren't breathtaking but they were nice...peaceful. There is a place for fishing. Not sure when the butterflies migrate through this area, but this place will be standing ready to invite them in. The trails were mostly smooth and easy. The staff at the nature center was friendly and informative. The bathroom....hmmmm......clean but

This is a nice nature trail to visit. They updated the area a bit and made it look nicer. They…read moreadded another parking lot. You can walk on the boardwalk from the first parking lot or drive a little farther down to the new parking lot and start your hike from there. They have clean restrooms, a nice shaded picnic area, a small deck by the lake to sit and enjoy. It is my favorite place in Findlay to take a hike.

An amazing preserve that is well taken care of. Wildlife abound! If bringing dogs make sure they…read moreare use to them! Saw 7 deer in the matter of an hour.

St Johns Nature Preserve is one of my favorite hidden gems in Bowling Green, Ohio. You can rent…read moreone of the building spaces for meetings, etc. However, my favorite part of this place is the different trails you can take. Some longer trails have picnic benches and other seating areas along the way. I used to come here with my dog quite a bit. The staff that work here are friendly and even gave my pup doggy treats when they saw her. It's also fantastic here because they have doggy bags at different stations throughout the area to keep this place clean. You'll see birds and deers throughout the nature preserve. I've also seen a lot of people take their graduation pictures because of this place's natural beauty. Over the years, I've seen that this place has done a great job of being educational with a lot of interactive activities (information about snakes, nets for observing fish, etc.). Whenever I'm in the area, this is the one place I always need to visit. Pros: -Free to enter -Free parking -Different trails -Well-maintained -Good for dogs -Educational -Beautiful all seasons Cons: -Depending on the time of the year, the mosquitos can be fierce! So don't forget to bring some repellent!

Beautiful park, well kept with nice walking paths. Wonderful views too! Give the park a try.read more

Side Cut is absolutely beautiful. It sits right along the river, and the scenery alone makes it…read moreworth the visit. There's plenty of parking and easy access throughout the park, which makes getting in and out a breeze. The playground is large and great for kids of all ages, and the paved walking paths along the river are peaceful, clean, and perfect for a relaxing stroll. Whether you're meeting up with family, getting some steps in, or just wanting a quiet spot to unwind, this park delivers. Highly recommend stopping by.

I have driven by this place about a thousand times in the past ten years but never had a chance to…read morestop. Finally, over a holiday weekend, I took my mom to check it out. We walked the trails on the south side of 224 (around the house and barn). They're decently marked, wooded, and peaceful. (I was a bit confused by the orange blazes, since that wasn't on my map, but overall, you can't really get lost.) We also checked out the routes on the north side of 224-where there's a horse trail. We were hoping for a river walk and a bit disappointed to find the trail in the blazing sun and not close enough to the river. But, all in all, there aren't many trail options in the Putnam/Hancock area, so this is a pretty solid destination. The grounds also have a substantial play ground for kids, shelter houses, and picnic areas. There are restrooms and water and also the barn seems to always be booked with a party/reception.

This is a wonderful new park in the Johnny Appleseed Park group. It has an enclosed, reserveable…read morespace, and bathrooms. There are three loop hiking trails, and one of them is wonderful for children because it is a storybook hike. Along the trail are pages from a story book and you walk along the trail to get to the next page of the story. The story changes periodically with the seasons. The stories are great for a little tiny kids, so you can read it to them when you get to the next one, and they are usually easy enough to read that an early reader can read it him or herself. What a great introduction to hiking for small kids! The trail is quite short, so it is appropriate for all ages. There are 2 Additional Loop hiking trails that are good for grown-ups and kids, and are short enough for all but your youngest kids. This park also has a natural playground. There is a loop that is very short that has a sand and gravel pit to play in, a rope to use as a swing (best for older kids), a little wooden house with a loft that is kid size, and more, like a new seesaw. If you want to give your kids an outdoor, natural experience, but were worried they'd be bored with a hike, this place is ideal! There is also a creek to play in, trees to climb on, and other natural features. This place is not just for kids! The loop trails are very nice. They are flat and an easy walk for someone looking for a stroll or easy hike in nature. For a more robust exercise walk, do all four loops. Loops connect, so it is easy to make a bigger hike, without ever getting lost if you have a bad sense of direction. There are lots of trail map placards along the way at trail intersections. Trails are wide and easy to navigate. They are not paved, but they are flat enough that I think you could make do with a jogging stroller or possibly even a wheelchair with good shock absorption.

This is an absolutely beautiful park. That is a nice walking area for families and individuals. The…read morefacilities that you can rent are very nice! It is kept very natural, there is no hideous playground equipment however, there is a nightstand area, teepee, log home and more for kiddos to use their imagination and play in/on! There is a storybook to read throughout! I recommend everyone checking out the gem!

This is a great park. Unfortunately the playground is in direct sun, so it can get very hot in…read moresummer. We went on a really hot day, and my son said he'd like it if it were shady. There were swings, a play structure, and room for parents to sit.

Wow- a big park on the south side of town with lots of playing fields. Huge parking lot. But we…read morewere here for the playground, which is Fort Findlay. Mostly wood, loads of places to play for all ages. Baby K absolutely loved it.

Great paths, balloon fests, great place to take your children to the fort there. Could use more…read morebathrooms. Great place to take dogs for a walk.

Nice park with a large dam where the river water flows over. The Maumee River is wide, so the dam…read moreis long across it. Watching the falls, especially after a rain or when the ice is moving, is dramatic. I like watching the swirling water around the rocks. The park was established by the CCC in 1932. It's located on a strip of land between the Miami-Erie Canal and the Maumee River. Look for the canal locks when you enter the park. I love this park. As a kid we did Girl Scouts here, church picnics and school dates. You can walk along the river and enjoy the fish jumping, birds and fresh air. Get a piece of slate and skip it across the top of the water. There are picnic tables and a few grills. Take a blanket and relax in the grass. Newer playgrounds and restrooms are along the long road. At the far end of the road is a primitive campground.