A system of natural areas designed to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Allen County, OH
06/06/2026
DID YOU KNOW?
Summer at Lima Lake just got even better! 🌅🛶
Kayak rentals are officially up and running at Ottawa Metro Park!
It’s an easy way to get outside, slow down for a bit, and enjoy the lake from a completely different perspective.
Rentals are available every day from sunrise to sunset through the Koloni app.
Now the only question is… morning paddle or afternoon paddle?
📣📣Today’s amphitheater program with Marks Ark is postponed due to weather conditions.
Stay tuned for updates!
🌿 Beil’s Buck Run Nature Area is officially open!
Hear from Executive Director Tyler Black as he shares the vision behind the Park District’s newest nature preserve, a place to slow down, explore, and reconnect with nature.
The new area is located at 2380 Sunderland Road. We’d love to hear what you discovered along the trail!
06/05/2026
🌎 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!
Protecting nature doesn’t always happen in big, dramatic moments.
Sometimes it looks like: • Planting native flowers • Picking up litter on a trail • Respecting wildlife habitats • Teaching kids to love the outdoors • Choosing to spend more time outside
Small actions really do add up.
Behind the scenes, conservation work happens every day throughout our parks to help protect habitats, wildlife, waterways, and green spaces for future generations.
What’s one small thing YOU do to help the environment?
06/04/2026
Get ready for a wild morning at the park! 🦜🐍🐢
Mark’s Ark is bringing live exotic animals to the amphitheater at Ottawa Metro Park on Saturday, June 6, from 11AM–12PM as part of our Summer Amphitheater Series.
This free family event gives kids (and adults, too) the chance to see amazing animals up close while learning more about wildlife from around the world.
Expect plenty of excitement, fun facts, and a few “WOW” moments along the way.
Which animal do you hope makes an appearance?
🛶🐦 This week’s Weekly Wildlife Watch took Marie on the water at Ottawa Metro Park, where she and a few Park District teammates were putting the new kayak equipment to the test.
Along the way, they spotted a feathered friend that often gets overlooked in favor of its larger cousin… a Green Heron!
Most people are familiar with Great Blue Herons, but what makes a Green Heron different? Are they actually green? And what makes them such unique hunters?
Listen in as Marie shares some fun facts about this fascinating bird and why a paddle around the lake can reveal wildlife surprises you might never see from shore.
And from Marie (and her kayaking pals), a reminder that today… and every day… is a great time to GET OUTSIDE.
Have you ever spotted a Green Heron in the wild?
06/03/2026
🚲 Happy World Bicycle Day!
There’s something special about seeing the parks from two wheels. The breeze, the movement, the feeling of adventure around every turn… summer riding season is officially here. ☀️
Whether you’re biking for exercise, family fun, or simply to enjoy the scenery, our trails are a great place to explore the outdoors at your own pace.
Tell us: What’s your favorite biking route in Allen County?
06/03/2026
If you've ever spotted a fawn curled up alone in the grass, your first instinct might be to think it has been abandoned. 🦌
But nature has a different plan!
Why do mother deer stay away from their newborns for most of the day?
A. Their babies slow them down finding food
B. To keep the babies safe from predators
C. The babies cannot walk right away
D. The babies draw too much attention
Drop your guess below... We'll reveal the answer later this week!
06/02/2026
It’s National Trails Day, and there’s no better time to hit the trail. 🥾
Coming Soon: A new place to connect with nature is coming soon to Allen County.
Beil’s Buck Run Nature Area was generously donated by Dr. Herbert and Elfi Beil with one goal in mind: creating a peaceful natural space for the community to enjoy.
This 50-acre nature area will feature: • Natural hiking trails • Prairie habitat • Wildlife viewing opportunities • Pond access • An overlook along the Auglaize River
Designed as a passive nature area, this space will focus on quiet recreation, wildlife observation, birding, and experiencing nature at a slower pace.
We can’t wait to welcome visitors soon!
06/01/2026
🌿 Wild Reads Check-In: Chapters 29-32!
We're getting close to the end of *The Hidden Life of Trees*, and these chapters gave us plenty to think about.
One of the biggest themes from this week's reading was change.
🌎 How do trees respond when climates shift?
🌱 Why are some trees better equipped to adapt than others?
🌳 What happens when native and non-native species compete in the same landscape?
These chapters explored the challenges trees face from changing environments, extreme weather, invasive species, and even the ways humans can unintentionally impact forest health.
One takeaway that really stood out to our team: even trees of the same species are different. Just like people, each tree has its own strengths, weaknesses, and ability to adapt to the world around it.
Take a look through our Naturalist Notebook to see the observations, questions, and discussions these chapters inspired.
📖 Up next: Chapters 33–36
And that's it! The next section will be the final chapters of *The Hidden Life of Trees*. If you've been reading along with us, now is the perfect time to finish strong and join the conversation.
What was the most surprising thing you've learned from this book so far?
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