With the MetroParks celebrating 50 years of providing hidden treasures to the community, the staff has compiled a list of 50 Things to See and Do in your MetroParks. From a repurposed Baltimore and Ohio Freight warehouse that now houses a vibrant market to bald eagle nests, Arnold describes the compilation as a “life list of MetroParks experiences” — a MetroParks bucket list of sorts.
There are some items on the list, however, that are a bit more hidden than others, those that might require a little more time or patience to enjoy. Have you seen a hummingbird moth, a chimney swift, a zebra swallowtail butterfly? You can find these and many more in the MetroParks.
“You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy all the MetroParks have to offer,” Arnold said. “The beauty of nature is everywhere all the time.”
This life list is also one that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
“It’s ageless, really, from 3 to 100, it really can appeal to everyone,” Arnold said. “And I love the idea that you can build your own adventure with your family.”
And whether you catch a glimpse of a spotted salamander or not, the moments you spend enveloped by nature is still time well spent.
“Once you get out there, it’s like the rest of the world just fades away,” Arnold said.
For a complete list of the 50 places to Explore MetroParks “Hidden Nature” visit www.metroparks.org.
MetroParks 12 hidden gems
Wetland at Carriage Hill: Hike the orange trail to see examples of wetlands. Did you know wetlands act as filters for our ground water? Approximately 90 percent of the wetlands that existed in Ohio prior to European settlement have been destroyed. Five Rivers MetroParks has worked to preserve the remnants of original wetlands and restore or create wetland habitat. Look and listen for frogs, one of many wetland residents.
Clearwing hummingbird moth pollinator garden at Cox Arboretum Butterfly House: While you visit the Butterfly House, take note of all the pollinators attracted to the surrounding gardens. The clearwing hummingbird moth beats its wings fast and sips nectar just like the hummingbird, except it's an insect. Have you spotted one at your home? Try growing some native pollinator plants to attract more butterflies and moths. Become a citizen scientist; get the free iNaturalist app on your smartphone and send a moth picture to the moth campaign.
Bike to see Chimney Swift at Eastwood MetroPark along Buckeye Trail: If you want to spot a chimney swift, look up. This bird is usually found in flight hunting insects. It builds nests in cliffs, buildings and other vertical surfaces – including chimneys at one time. Visit eNature.com and use the ZipGuides feature to search for common animals in your vicinity. Help study birds and their behaviors; participate in Project Feeder Watch. You'll learn about native birds and contribute to ongoing scientific research.
Spring at Englewood South Park: Explore this "secret" area of Englewood MetroPark. Big Spring draws water from nearby Stillwater River. Explore the moss-covered rocks and search the muddy spots for animal prints. Wonder what kinds of creatures have visited Big Spring? Download the MyNature Animal Tracks app and browse tracks, habitats, range maps, and other characteristics of 46 North American animals.
Meadowlarks at Germantown in meadow behind operations building: Meadows are abundant with native wildlife. Look for the eastern meadowlark hunting for insects. Meadowlarks are pale brown marked with black, sporting bright yellow under parts and a bold black V across the chest. Listen for their sweet, melancholy whistles. You can contribute to the ongoing science of birding by creating a profile on eBird.org. This website is a community of birders from across the world contributing to real-time sightings using technology and a partnership with the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Five Rivers MetroParks also needs volunteers to help monitor birding patterns and behavior. Visit metroparks.org/volunteer to learn more about our bird monitoring volunteer program.
Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies at Hills & Dales: Hills & Dales MetroPark's abundance of pawpaw trees and pollinator plants makes this location an ideal neighborhood for zebra swallowtail butterflies. Zebra swallowtail caterpillars only feed on the leaves of the pawpaw tree. These insects are most active from late March through August. Share your love of butterflies. Download the free SciSpy app to your smartphone or tablet and contribute to a network of citizen scientists. You can also help MetroParks track and monitor butterflies. Visit metroparks.org/volunteer to learn more.
Kayak with spring and fall migrating waterfowl at Huffman MetroPark: Get active by kayaking or canoeing among the migrating birds. The lake at Huffman MetroPark is a popular hangout spot for waterfowl such as mergansers, northern shovelers, northern pintails, and buffleheads. You can participate in citizen science projects by submitting your bird sighting to Project Noah's Birds of Ohio mission. Download the free Project Noah app to get started.
Ashzilla at Island MetroPark (close to the parking lot, east of small brown building): Protecting our region's natural heritage means more than just preserving nature for the enjoyment of its beauty. Five Rivers MetroParks conserves nature because it contributes to the health of our regional ecology. Trees are no exception; this 154-inch-wide, 131-foot-tall white ash — appropriately nicknamed "Ashzilla" — provides food and shelter for birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and hundreds of species of insects. Ashzilla is one of MetroParks' 10 biggest ash trees that have been inoculated against the effects of emerald ash borer, thanks to a donation from the Garden Club of Dayton. You can get involved in reforestation efforts by visit metroparks.org/forests and clicking on the "Take Action" tab.
Beaver lodge and damage at Possum Creek behind the ponds: Among the largest of Ohio's native rodents, beavers use their large teeth to cut wood used for building lodges and dams. The entrance to the lodge is underwater, which protects this animal from predators like coyotes. Did you know beavers build dams to protect their homes from predators and float food downstream that's too heavy to carry? Learn more about beavers and other native wildlife by participating in a nature program. Log on to metroparks.org to search for programs, or pick up the current issue of ParkWays to learn about upcoming programs.
Sugarcreek MetroPark along the blue trail: Native to Ohio's swampy woodland areas, spotted salamanders are making a comeback in the Dayton region. Spotted salamanders are sensitive to the environment, but thanks to proper care and maintenance of the forest, these creatures are rebounding in population. Because of their secretive and nocturnal nature and habit of tunneling underground, spotted salamanders are seldom seen except in early spring, when they migrate in large numbers to breeding ponds. Search for them by turning over logs. Don't forget to put the log back the way you found it. Other creatures might be using the log for shelter too.
Seepage Dancer rare damselfly at observation deck along bike trail at Taylorsville: This wetland is home to an endangered damselfly. Look for the blue, needle-like bodies of the seepage dancer. This predator feeds on other insects, and even turns colors. The seepage dancer can turn dark gray to completely black when the temperature is cool. Try to spot one perched on the stem of a bog plant. Visit metroparks.org/conservation to learn more about wetlands and how conservation practices create healthy habitat for endangered species like the seepage dancer.
Carlisle Fort at Twin Creek MetroPark: Look closely to see the ancient ruins known as the Hopewell Earthworks. This earthwork is actually a hilltop enclosure constructed nearly 2,000 years ago by the Hopewell Culture. It is a long, winding mound of raised earth about 3 to 4 feet high. Now covered in deep forest, it is easy to miss, but fascinating to those interested in history. This enclosure is known locally as Carlisle Fort. Keep hiking the pink trail and try to spot the "chicken foot" marker that symbolized the border between Warren and Montgomery counties.
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