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Dry summer could bring dazzling fall, ODNR says

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State officials say nature lovers could be in for a treat with a colorful fall foliage season. These are maple trees at Englewood MetroPark.

Jim Witmer/Staff State officials say nature lovers could be in for a treat with a colorful fall foliage season. These are maple trees at Englewood MetroPark.

State officials forecast a spectacular autumn foliage season.

By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 11:41 PM Friday, September 11, 2009

The state could be in for some spectacular fall foliage this year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

ODNR said a relatively dry summer creates the conditions for a beautiful fall foliage season, expected to peak during mid-October in northern Ohio and late-October in southern parts of the state. September’s weather will determine the quality of the color, with sunny days, cool nights and consistent rainfall preferred, along with the lack of an early frost.

Area parks should provide plenty of opportunities, and the ODNR Web site offers a guide to the fall season, including fall color updates beginning Sept. 21 and maps to scenic drives.

Aside from state parks such as Caesar Creek State Park in Warren County near Waynesville, Miami Valley counties and communities have a variety of parks and garden areas where visitors can view the fall colors.

Five Rivers MetroParks has 25 facilities across Montgomery County and will have several events to view or learn about trees, said Val Hunt, spokeswoman.

Cox Arboretum hosts a blossom buggy tour on Sept. 22, Wegerzyn Gardens holds its Autumn’s Most Dazzling Trees class on Oct. 17 and Aullwood Gardens offers guided historical tours on Sept. 27, she said. All of those events are free. Aullwood Farm, which is operated separately from MetroParks, is holding Thursday morning walks for adults at 8 a.m. in October.

Among the MetroParks’ spots where visitors can find great views of the trees: Eby Road picnic shelter in Twin Valley Creek MetroPark; Argonne Lake at Possum Creek MetroPark; Osage Orange Tunnel at Sugarcreek MetroPark; the lakes at Eastwood MetroPark and Englewood Reserve; and the Patterson Monument in Kettering at Hills and Dales MetroPark, Hunt said.

She said park users seeking inspiration for photographs should check the Flickr link on the MetroParks Web site to see photographs taken by staff and park patrons.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.