Metroparks of the Toledo Area is a regional system of natural-area parks. The 11,000-acre system of parks includes some of the region's most signifiant natural areas, including the globally rare Oak Openings (Oak Openings Preserve, Wildwood Preserve and Secor Metroparks) and and parkland along the Maumee River - the largest river flowing into the Great Lakes. Historical sites within the parks include the Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Ft. Miamis National Historic Site in Maumee, the Wildwood Manor House and The Canal Experience (Providence). Metroparks was founded in 1928 as a regional public agency serving Lucas County. The first Metropark was Side Cut in Maumee. The park district is governed by a three-member, volunteer Board of Park Commissioners.
The park system currently includes nine parks and three regional trails. Toledo Botanical Garden is an affiliated organization, and additional parks are in development.
Existing Metroparks:
Wildwood Preserve, Sylvania
Pearson, Oregon
Swan Creek Preserve, Toledo
Side Cut, Maumee
Oak Openings Preserve, Swanton
Secor, Berkey
Farnsworth, Waterville
Bend View, Waterville
Providence, Grand Rapids
Greenway Trails:
The University/Parks Trail
Wabash Cannonball Trail
Towpath Trail
Westside corridor (planned)
Future Metroparks:
The park system also includes several sites currently in development:
Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Ft. Miamis National Historic Site (consisting of three units: Battlefield, Monument and Ft. Miamis), Maumee
Blue Creek Conservation Area, Whitehouse
Middlegrounds Metropark, downtown Toledo
Kiel Farm, in Toledo
Howard Farms, Jerusalem Township
Also indevelopment: A "greenway" corridor that will eventually connect Secor and Oak Openings Preserve Metroparks in western Lucas County.