Preservation Parks of Delaware County

Hogback Ridge Preserve

Skunk Cabbage

Our very first blooming “wildflower” produces enough heat to melt snow and raise its internal temperature to anywhere from 59 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s warm and toasty inside the smelly skunk cabbage!

Skunk Cabbage

Golden Marathon
Winter 2010

It may be cold outside, but it’s still a great time for walking in the parks!

A project of Preservation Parks of Delaware County and Senior Citizens Inc.

the Golden Marathon is a series of hikes – each about two miles – that add up to at least a 26.2-mile marathon at the end of three months.

The winter walks take place every Monday at 1:30 p.m. and are held in Preservation Parks' preserves and other area locations. Participants can join at any time.

Note: If the temperature is lower than 35 degrees Fahrenheit, walkers will meet at the Food Court at Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus
.
Participants can join at any time.

Click here for hike locations and dates.

All winter hikes begin at 1:30 p.m.

For additional information
contact Saundra McBrearty:
at 740-524-8600, ext. 6
or e-mail her at
saundras@preservationparks.com

Hogback Ridge Preserve was left to Preservation Parks in the estate of Mary Barber McCoy in 1998. With initial renovations made by the Kiwanis Club of Delaware, the District offices were moved to the 32 acre site in 1999. In 2001 and 2002, the building underwent a complete renovation, increasing the office space and functionality of the building without increasing its size. It now houses not only the District offices but also the Mary Barber McCoy Nature Center. The Park District purchased an adjoining five acres, bringing the total to 37 acres in Brown Township. This purchase added two ponds and a meadow to the woodlands and stream corridor of the original site.

Facts

37 acres of mixed habitat, including wooded ravine systems, stream corridor, two ponds and small meadow
Opened in 1999
Houses Park District administrative offices
Hours of operation:
Park – 7:30 a.m. – Dusk
Nature Center – Saturday Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Facilities

Picnic areas
Restrooms
Drinking water
Window on Wildlife viewing area
Mary Barber McCoy Nature Center
Meeting/conference space for rent
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

Expanded wildlife viewing area
Expanded picnic facilities
Wildlife viewing blind
Expanded trail system

Trails at Hogback Ridge Preserve

Woodland Ridge Trail - This 1/2 mile mulched loop trail can be entered either near the parking lot or near the nature center. It follows the ravine ridge through an upland woodlot. Along this trail you will see a large stone deposited by a long-ago glacier and many varieties of wildflowers in season. If you are observant, you may also see a pileated woodpecker, or the holes made in the trees by one, as well as groundhogs, ground squirrels and deer. During bird migration seasons, you may catch a glimpse of a variety of warblers. And, you may see nuthatches, gold finches, downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers, as well as Carolina wrens and blue-gray gnatcatchers.
Approximate walking time: 15 minutes.

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