Preservation Parks of Delaware County

Gallant Woods Preserve

Not my Nest?

Male Cowbird

The Brown-headed Cowbird is North America’s most common “brood parasite.”

A female cowbird makes no nest of her own, but instead lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species, who then raise the young cowbirds.

Gallant Woods Preserve began with the generosity of two special Delaware County citizens. Charlotte Gallant donated 83 acres of woods to the Park District. An anonymous donor provided the funds to purchase 101 adjoining acres. The Park District purchased an additional 47 acres of adjoining properties, bringing the total to 231 acres.

Facts

231 acres of mixed habitat, including wetland woods, old growth woods, glacial moraine and meadows
Opened in 2005
Hours of operation: Park - 7:30-Dusk; Discovery Center - Noon-5:00 p.m.

Facilities

Picnic Shelter
Restrooms
Drinking Water
Playground
Nature Discovery Center
Sledding Hill!
Trails *
* Leashed dogs are allowed on these trails, but you must clean up after your pets. “Mutt mitts” are provided at the kiosk to assist you in the clean up.

Future Plans

Additional Trails
Additional Picnic Shelters
Expanded Playground
Pond

Trails at Gallant Woods

Acorn Trail - With its entrance across the road from the picnic shelter, the 1/2 mile mulched trail winds through Charlotte’s Woods, a wetland woods recovering from being pastured in the mid-1900's. Its trees are mainly maple, oak, ash, beech and hickory species. As you walk, you may see signs of deer, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, coyotes and foxes. If you are alert, you may also catch glimpses of a barred owl, red-bellied woodpeckers and various songbirds. Depending on the time of year, you will see several species of wildflowers, such as trillium, wild violets and mayapples.
Approximate walking time: 20 minutes.

Pheasant Run Trail - This one mile loop traverses the perimeter of a large meadow. Beginning and ending near the picnic shelter, this grass trail affords an excellent opportunity to observe the wildlife of a grassland. You may see meadowlarks, foxes hunting for voles, ring-necked pheasants and indigo buntings. You will see several bluebird houses and perhaps their inhabitants.
Approximate walking time: 30 minutes. (Please note: there is no shade along this trail.)

Preservation Parks of Delaware County | 2656 Hogback Road | Sunbury, Ohio 43074 | 740-524-8600 | Fax: 740-524-8200