About our Parks

Take aim and experience the excitement of archery at your Wood County Parks! Whether you’re a first-time archer learning the basics or a seasoned participant honing your skills, Arrowwood Archery Range offers a safe and scenic space to enjoy this timeless sport. 

Location & Access

Archery is permitted only at Arrowwood Archery Range during park district hours. 

Archery Programs

Join our archery programs led by certified instructors, offering equipment, safety and skills training. Check the programs listings for upcoming sessions and give archery a shot.

Support the Range

Love archery? Consider donating to help maintain and enhance the Arrowwood Archery Range for future generations.

Reach new heights and experience adventure from a whole new perspective with bouldering and climbing in our parks! These exciting activities invite you to test your strength, balance, and focus while exploring Sawyer Quarry’s natural rock formations and climbing areas. Whether you’re new to climbing or an experienced adventurer, our parks provide safe and scenic settings to challenge yourself outdoors.

Location & Access

A variety of climbing sport is available at Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve. Bring a crash pad and boulder (low level climb) on 160 linear feet of rock wall 8’ to 12’ high, or build your anchors on a variety of maintained anchor points on the top and face of the cliff for top-rope and lead climbing. The choice for adventure is yours to make!

All climbing areas are available to the public when the park is open! Climbers and rappelers must check-in at the self-service kiosk found near the parking area before recreating.

CLIFF CONDITIONS

South Wall – Open

South Wall top is accessible from the sidewalk just west of the registration kiosk.

North Wall – Open

North Wall is accessible by taking the trail to the east of the circle-drive house (staff offices and program space). 

Bouldering Area – Limited accessibility, seasonal flooding

Follow signs for quarry access, down the metal steps (slippery when wet), and walk into and across the quarry until you find a trail leading up to the top. Also accessible by taking the trail to the west of the brown house (future public space) north.

What is Bouldering?

Low-level rock climbing done without the support of a rope. Typically, bouldering is done on rocks lower than 15’ high. In the instance of a fall, a crash pad is used to supply a stable but softer surface.

What is Rock-Climbing?

You’re able to practice multiple disciplines of rock climbing at Sawyer Quarry: top-rope climbing, where the rope is already attached to the top of the climb before ascending, and sport climbing, where the climber clips into progressively higher pre-placed bolts on the face of the rock as they ascend. A belayer is connected to the same rope as the climber and provides a layer of safety if the climber were to fall, “catching” the climber with the rope using a belay device.

Climbing Rules & Regulations:

• All climbers must self-register. Failure to register, unsafe practices, or unsafe equipment is grounds for loss of privileges, or removal from the park.
• Climbers must be at least 18 years of age or have a parent/guardian supervising all rappelling activities.
  To register a minor, complete the minor’s information in the body of the form, then parent/guardian signature at the bottom.
• All equipment used must be manufactured for the purpose of rappelling and climbing and be in original, un-altered condition. No homemade or modified equipment may be used.
• Climbers are subject to equipment inspection and/or competency check at any time by Park District staff.
• Wood County Park District reserves the right to suspend the Public Rappelling & Climbing Program at any time. Cliffs may also be temporarily closed for scheduled programs, classes, or other Park District use.
• Public rappelling and climbing is allowed only in designated areas (please see map), and only during normal park hours.
• Registering to rappel or climb does not reserve either cliff for sole use; any area may be in use by other members of the general public. All areas operate on a first come, first served basis.
• Climbers must have previous climbing experience, and follow safe accepted practices at all times.
• All rappelling and climbing activities are done at your own risk.
• No modification of the natural environment is permitted unless facilitated and/or approved by the Wood County Park District (rock trundling, adding bolts or pitons, vegetative removal, etc.).

Bouldering Rules & Regulations:

• All bouldering activities are done at your own risk.
• The use of a bouldering pad and/or a spotter is highly recommended.
• Unsafe practices are grounds for loss of bouldering privileges, or removal from the park.
• Boulderers must be 16 years of age or older, or have a parent/guardian supervising all bouldering activities.
• Wood County Park District reserves the right to suspend the Public Bouldering Program at any time. Bouldering walls may also be temporarily closed for
• scheduled programs, classes, or other Park District use.
• Public bouldering is allowed only in designated areas (please see map), and only during normal park hours.
• Any area of the park may be in use by other members of the general public. All areas operate on a first come, first served basis.

Cycling at the Wood County Park District offers a scenic and enjoyable way to explore Wood County’s natural beauty. Riders can travel along well-maintained trails that wind through forests, prairies, and wetlands, providing opportunities for both recreation and wildlife viewing. Whether you’re a casual rider or an avid cyclist, the park district’s trail network invites you to experience the outdoors on two wheels.

Location & Access

The Slippery Elm Trail is a 13-miles rails-to-trails bike path from Bowling Green to North Baltimore that provides paved paths for cyclists. The Rudolph Bike Park has 1,783 feet of continuous pump track and 159 feet of strider bike track.

Rules & Regulations

• No alcohol or drugs!
• No motorized vehicles.
• No remote-controlled vehicles or devices.
• Damage, vandalism, and graffiti are prohibited by law.
• Keep the tracks and park clean, Use garbage & recycling containers.

Safety

• Wear a properly-fitting bike helmet.
• Wear shin, knee, and elbow protection.
• Lower the saddle on your bike.
• Suspend your body with your legs bent like shock-absorbers.
• Let the bike flow underneath you.

Cast a line and enjoy the sport of fishing at your Wood County Parks! Whether you’re a first-time angler learning the ropes or an experienced fisher seeking a peaceful day by the water, several of our parks offer beautiful and accessible locations to drop a line and unwind. 

Location & Access

Fishing is permitted at the following parks: 

• Adam Phillips Pond
• Bradner Preserve
• Buttonwood (Betty C. Black) Recreation Area
• Cricket Frog Cove
• Otsego Park
• W.W. Knight Nature Preserve
• William Henry Harrison Park

Rules & Regulations

• All persons 16 years, and older, must have a valid Ohio Fishing License.
• Bank fishing only
• No ice fishing, boats, kayaks, canoes, or floatation devices on the pond.
• Limit of 10 fish per day, per person, of Bluegill, Crappie, and Perch combined
• Limit of 5 fish per day, per person of Trout
• 1 Large Mouth Bass over 15″ in length may be kept, per person, per day.
• All Bass less than 15″ must be released.
• No limits on Catfish.
• No live minnows as bait. Other forms of live bait such as worms and snails are allowed.

Embark on an outdoor treasure hunt and discover the hidden side of our parks through geocaching! This modern-day adventure combines exploration, problem-solving, and a love of the outdoors as you use GPS coordinates to find hidden caches placed throughout the park system. It’s a fun and family-friendly activity that turns any hike or walk into a new discovery.

Location & Access

Geocache anytime, in any park! The Park District has placed official virtual geocaches in 4 parks: Carter Farm, W.W. Knight, William Henry Harrison Park, and The Wood County Museum,  In addition to our Park District placed caches, there are many privately placed caches. These caches were placed by individuals who have completed a geocache permit and obtained permission by the Park District. See a list of the public-owned certified geocaches within your Wood County Parks.

What is geocaching? 

Geocaching is the use of GPS technology to locate sites called caches. These caches may be a small box containing a log book hidden in a hollow tree stump or a “virtual” cache leading you to a site for an answer to a question. The Wood County Park District is proud to take part in this modern day, free “treasure hunt” and has six official Park District placed caches located in six different parks.

Want to hide a Geocache?

If you would like to hide a Geocache, please fill-out and submit a Park District Geocache Permit Application.

Need More Information?

Contact Craig Spicer, Program Naturalist, at cspicer @wcparks.org or 419-661-1697 ext. 3.

By special agreement with ODNR Division of Wildlife, hunting is being permitted at Baldwin Woods Preserve and Cricket Frog Cove for small game and deer, under specific guidelines subject to annual changes. Hunting is used as a land management tool while providing recreation to the public. Please note, the hunting by permit program may be discontinued once future park plans begin implementation for Cricket Frog Cove. This program will be reviewed annually to determine if it is appropriate to continue, or if changes are needed for the following year. 

Location & Access

Baldwin Woods Preserve and Cricket Frog Cove are the two park locations available for hunting by permit program. Hunting Days are the first Wednesday in September through the last Saturday of February to follow the State’s hunting season. 

BALDWIN WOODS

Baldwin Woods consists of approximately 126 acres of property located at the corner of Range Line and Euler Roads. There are approximately 80 acres of wooded area and 40 acres of grassland. It is the desire of the Board of Park Commissioners and the Park District staff to keep this land natural for propagating wild areas and protecting threatened plant species. The Park District has entered into a Wetland Reserve agreement with the federal government involving approximately 50 acres of land at Baldwin Woods. An eight-acre wetland was constructed at Baldwin Woods in 2000 to enhance the wildlife population, create diversity, and provide a resting area for migrating waterfowl. Waterfowl hunting is NOT permitted on the property. There is also NO hunting in the section of Baldwin Woods on the west side of Range Line Road. 

PARKING: Parking is allowed anywhere along Euler Road and in the new parking lot on Range Line Rd (hunting is prohibited west of Range Line Rd). Restroom facilities are NOT provided.

CRICKET FROG COVE

The area consists of approximately 160 acres located between Cygnet Road and Freyman Road bordered by Mitchell Road to the west. There are approximately 90 acres of wooded area and 70 acres of grassland and old pasture field. The Board of Park Commissioners has opened the property for hunting small game and deer.

PARKING: Use parking lot off of Freyman Road. Restroom facilities are provided (porta-john). The service drive from the parking lot to the pond is CLOSED to vehicular traffic.

Hunting Days

• September-October: Designated Parks are closed for hunting Wednesdays-Saturdays.
• November-February: Designated Parks are closed for hunting Mondays – Saturdays.

On the days hunting is permitted the parks are closed to public use, only those with a valid Park District hunting permit and listed on the reservation calendar with Park District Headquarters may enter the parks.

Applications & Information

Both the filled out and signed Hunting Application & Rules and Regulations Documents must be turned in to Park District Headquarters before hunting. Hunting Application and information for the hunting by permit program are listed in the links below:

• Click here for Rules & Regulations.
• Click here for Information and maps of Cricket Frog Cove and Baldwin Woods.
• Click here for the Hunting Application.

Rules & Regulations

All Park District Rules and Regulations, Ohio laws, and Ohio Hunting Regulations WILL be enforced. Park District Officers and ODNR Wildlife Officers make frequent inspections of the property to check permits. 

The Park District reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke any application or permit for just cause. 

• The applicant may appeal these decisions through the Board of Park Commissioners. 
• All appeals must be in writing and turned in prior to the scheduled Board of Park Commissioners meeting.

HUNT AT YOUR OWN RISK

Hunters enter the property at their own risk. Some hazards such as deep animal holes, tree roots, barbed wire fencing, piles of debris, and fallen trees can be found throughout park properties. Caution should be exercised.

GENERAL RULES

• All hunters looking to hunt on Park District property MUST have and be prepared to provide a copy of their valid Ohio state hunting license.
• Permit holders MUST display the Wood County Park District hunting permit on their rearview mirror or on the dashboard of their vehicle.  
• All hunters MUST wear hunter orange at all times, during all seasons, including in stands. 
  • This includes a minimum of a vest, coat, jacket or coveralls.  
• ONLY non-toxic shot is permitted during small game season (such as steel shot).  
• Waterfowl hunting is NOT PERMITTED during any open duck or goose season. 
• Waterfowl hunting is NOT PERMITTED within Cricket Frog Cove or Baldwin Woods. 
• Rifles and handguns are NOT permitted to be used for hunting. 
  • However, Shotgun slugs and muzzle-loading rifles ARE permitted during appropriate deer gun seasons.  
• Hunters 17 and under MUST register and hunt with a responsible, registered ADULT (fee will be waived for juveniles).  
• Permits MAY NOT be transferred to another hunter.  
• Pushing or driving of property is NOT permitted for deer hunting.  
• Food baiting on Park District property is PROHIBITED. 
  • This includes corn piles or mineral blocks. 
  • Applicants found baiting can expect to be removed from the hunting program and/or cited.
• If an animal is taken during the course of a hunt, ALL PARTS of the animal (excluding the gut pile) MUST be removed from the park.  
• Hunters MUST complete the end of season survey or they will not be eligible to hunt the following year.
• At Baldwin Woods, there is NO hunting allowed on the section located on the west side of Range Line Rd. that includes the parking lot and the pond.
• NO hunting is permitted off of ANY observation decks.
• On days hunting is permitted, Baldwin Woods and Cricket Frog Cove are CLOSED TO PUBLIC USE.
  • Only those who have obtained a VALID Park District hunting permit and placed a reservation with Park District Headquarters may enter the parks.

RULES FOR EQUIPMENT LEFT IN THE PARK

• Tree stands, trail cameras, scent drippers, and equipment for securing these items are the ONLY equipment permitted to be left in the park.  
  • NO permanent tree stands, blinds, trail cameras, or any other equipment are permitted.  
  • Chaining and padlocking of equipment is permitted & recommended.  
  • Climbing-type tree stands are permitted.
• NO nails, spikes, or screw steps may be used on trees.  
• Hunter orange flags or markers are REQUIRED on all tree stands/blinds and MUST be visible from 360°.  
• All tree stands, trail cameras, and other approved equipment left in the park MUST be marked with the owner’s name, address, and contact information in a VISIBLE AREA.
  • At the bottom of the ladder for ladder stands or near the base of the tree for hang-on stands.  
  • Engraving of tree stands and other equipment is recommended because stickers and tags can be removed or break down due to weather.
• A current Park District hunting permit must be obtained prior to setting up/leaving equipment.  
• No equipment may be left in the park before September 3, 2025.  
• All equipment must be removed from the park by March 31, 2026.  
• Any equipment found installed before/after the authorized time period, or found unmarked/improperly marked, WILL BE REMOVED by park staff.

RESERVING A DAY TO HUNT

Reservations can be made by calling (419)-353-1897 Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Messages left on the voice mail system will NOT be accepted as a reservation. Verbal confirmation by a Park District employee is REQUIRED for all reservations.

• Reservations must be made by phone NO EARLIER than ONE WEEK PRIOR to the day you desire to hunt. 
  • Same day reservations can be made providing there is space available. 
• During the open hunting dates, FOUR (4) spaces per day, per park are available to registered hunters. 
• Each hunter may bring ONE (1) REGISTERED hunting partner EXCEPT during Deer Gun and Primitive Weapon Season.
• During Deer Gun and Primitive Weapon Season, hunters must sign up individually – only ONE HUNTER PER SPACE will be permitted. No partners.
• NO MORE THAN TWO (2) reservation days per week, per hunter. 
  • You may register for 2 slots in one park or 1 slot in each park for the week.
• The Park District reserves the right to close an area to hunting as needed for land management needs, programming or maintenance concerns.

Discover the beauty of our parks from the water! Whether you’re gliding across the W.W. Knight pond in a canoe at Paddle the Pond or navigating the winding portage river by kayak, paddling offers a unique way to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. Our parks feature a variety of paddling experiences suitable for all skill levels—from educational paddling programs to self-guided paddling and family oriented programs!

Locations & Access

There are plenty of parks to explore by paddling here at the Wood County Park District! From paddling programs to designated launch points, there is an experience to be found for everyone!

INDIVIDUAL PADDLING

Make sure to review Essential Eligibility Criteria before paddling.

Visit Buttonwood/Betty C. Black Recreation Area or Otsego Park to launch onto the Maumee River Trail! The Maumee River Trail stretches 107-miles from Maumee Bay and Lake Erie to the Ohio-Indiana border and connects 39 different parks!

• Maumee River Trail – Map

Visit William Henry Harrison Park to launch onto the Portage River Water Trail! The Portage River Water Trail begins at William Henry Harrison Park in Pemberville and ends at the Lake Erie Beach in Port Clinton – approximately 36 river miles of paddling! 

• Portage River Water Trail – Information and Brochure/Map

Interested in classes?

Add your name to the Paddle program interest list, ran by our certified staff. Once there is enough interest for a particular class, one will be scheduled on a first-come first-served basis.

Adaptations by Appointment

We can serve physical and mental adaptations by appointment. The Adaptive Paddling endorsement by the American Canoe Association enables our instructors to cater to the needs of paddling enthusiasts with diverse physical and mental abilities. Set up your personal adaptive paddling appointment by contacting:

• Craig Spicer | cspicer@wcparks.org – Kayak & Canoe Touring Level 2, Adaptive Paddling Endorsement
• Bill Hoefflin | bhoefflin@wcparks.org – Kayak & Canoe Touring Level 2