Delaware, Ohio, is a popular destination among outdoor enthusiasts because of its proximity to many lakes and state parks. Whether you want to have a relaxing picnic with your family or challenge yourself with a strenuous hike, you can easily find a park near the city that suits your purpose! Discover the three best parks in Delaware.
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Delaware State Park
Delaware State Park is one of the most popular recreational spots for locals in Delaware. Encompassing an area of about 2,000 acres, this park consists of expansive meadows, dense woodlands, and the picturesque 1,300-acre Delaware Lake. The lake is the main attraction of the park as it provides excellent swimming, picnicking, boating, and fishing opportunities. If you’re interested in hiking, you can explore 7 miles of trails that lead to scenic views and great bird-watching spots. Additionally, the park has more than 200 campsites with electricity, flush toilets, and showers.
The entrance to Delaware State Park is located about 5 miles north of Delaware on U.S. Route 23. This park is open 24 hours every day.
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Deer Haven Park
Deer Haven Park is a 97-acre park that comprises a wide variety of natural landscapes, including forests, meadows, wetlands, and ponds. This park and the adjacent Havener Park collectively offer 3 miles of trails. These trails run along the perimeter of the meadows and through mature woodlands, providing wonderful vistas for hikers.
Additionally, Deer Haven Park houses the Amy Clark-Bader Bird Sanctuary, which has nesting boxes and bird feeders for attracting native and migrating birds. Other interesting attractions in the park include an insect hotel, pollinator garden, and a natural children’s play area.
Deer Haven Park is situated at 4183 Liberty Road in Liberty Township, about 3 miles south of downtown Delaware. Opening hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Mar. 1 to Oct. 31 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
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Hogback Ridge Park
Hogback Ridge Park is a beautiful 41-acre wooded park that includes a ravine system with pine and hardwood trees. One of the main highlights of the park is a bridge that offers stunning views of a scenic ravine. As you explore the trails, you may encounter a wide variety of birds and animals, such as wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, and white-tail deer. Hogback Ridge Park is also home to the Mary Barber McCoy Nature Center, where you can view an array of birds and taxidermic wildlife and learn how ospreys were brought back to the nearby Alum Creek Reservoir.
Located about 6 miles east of Delaware, Hogback Ridge Park is at 2656 Hogback Road, Sunbury. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Mar. 1 to Oct. 31 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
Besides these three parks, you should also check out other popular nearby parks such as Shale Hollow Park, River Run Park, Blues Creek Park, and Char-Mar Ridge Park. Every park in the Delaware area has something unique to offer!
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