THE HISTORY OF ERIE METROPARKS
Erie MetroParks was formed as the “Erie County Metropolitan Park District” in 1968 and adopted its current name in 1991.
It was organized under the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, Section 1545, as a separate political division of Ohio. Erie MetroParks is overseen by a Board of Park Commissioners consisting of three members appointed to three-year terms by Judges of the Probate Court and Common Pleas Court of Erie County.
Its purpose, according to the statute, is to “preserve, conserve, protect, and enhance the natural and unique historical resources of the park district. Further, to provide opportunities for visitors and residents to use, enjoy, understand and appreciate these resources in a responsible, sustainable manner.”
Starting with Osborn MetroPark (formerly the Osborn Prison Honor Farm), Erie MetroParks has grown to include 14 parks or preserves (around 3,200 acres).
OSBORN METROPARK
The 172 acres that became Osborn MetroPark were once owned by Arah Osborn, a veteran of the War of 1812 who bought the land in 1836. Upon his death the property passed to his son, John and then to his grandson, Myron.
Myron D. Osborn was a well known farmer in west Huron Township who lived on his family’s farm his entire life. He died on November 6, 1932, after a lengthy illness. His funeral was held on the Osborn farm and he was buried in Oakland Cemetery. Myron never married and when he died he willed the land to the State of Ohio.
Although Myron hoped that the densely wooded area would be designated as a park, the state used it as a minimum-security prison farm for 60 to 70 inmates. The men worked the land, grew a variety of vegetables and raised hogs.
The Frost Center that once stood at Osborn MetroPark was used as a dormitory when the area was a prison farm. The Osborn Prison Farm closed in 1973, due to the increasing number of prisoners who were escaping and the expansion of residential development in the area.
The last known escapee from the honor farm to be captured was Frank Freshwaters, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 1957. He escaped from the Osborn Prison Farm in 1959, and was not apprehended until 2015. After serving a short time in prison he was released in 2016.
The Erie County Commissioners bought the property from the state in 1974, where they built a county-owned nursing home and developed Osborn Recreation Area. After several years of the park district managing Osborn Recreation Area, Erie County deeded the land to the Erie County Metropolitan Park District in 1987.
Today the park is known as Osborn MetroPark, complete with shelters, playgrounds, tennis & pickleball courts, trails, playgrounds, and more.
Osborn MetroPark is one of the most visited parks. It is also the home of the Roger Johnson Nature Center and Erie MetroParks offices. The nature center includes educational classrooms, built-in live animal areas, a turtle pond, community space, a play tree, and a window-on-wildlife viewing area, and more. Erie MetroParks has over 30 miles of trails and offers over 300 free programs every year. In 2024, Erie MetroParks celebrated 56 years of conservation and preservation.
“Erie MetroParks mission is to conserve natural resources while connecting the community with nature through education and exploration.
CASTALIA QUARRY METROPARK
Just before the end of 1987 the park district accepted the generous gift of 110 acres of land from the Wagner Quarries Co. of Sandusky. This, coupled with the purchase of an adjacent 42 acre parcel located just west of Castalia on Route 101, created what is now known as Castalia Quarry MetroPark. Castalia Quarry contains species of rare prairie plants, fossils, glacial grooves, and more. Castalia Quarry MetroPark became the second jewel in a county wide system of public parks.
According to historic documents, Quarry #5 (as the quarry was known during its commercial use days)quarrying began in the early 1870’s. During the period from 1870 to 1929, the quarried limestone was used mainly as shoreline rip-rap. It was also used for general building purposes. Quarry #5 stone was used in both the Edison and Bay Bridges.
The earliest quarrying operations involved the use of horses, steam engines, and back-breaking manual labor. Men worked for as little as .17 cents an hour, 12 hours a day, setting blasting charges and swinging 30-40 pound hammers.
When the Great Depression struck in 1929, quarrying activities at Quarry #5 ended. Twenty-five years would pass before the quarry would reopen commercially.
In 1954, construction began on the new Ohio Turnpike. The machinery at Quarry #5 was upgraded and operations started back at full operation. The demand for stone for the Turnpike kept quarry workers very busy. Stone from Quarry #5 was used to build many roadways in the area. However, most of the major construction projects were finished by the mid 1960’s. Wagner Quarries Co. decided the competition from other quarries to the east was too great. Most of the machinery was moved to other sites and in 1965 Quarry #5 closed.
PELTON PARK
Erie MetroParks aquired Pelton Park in 1989. Named after former property owner Linn W. Pelton, the park was created in 1976 to be maintained in perpetuity as a public park. Under an agreement with Perkins township, Erie MetroParks managed the park from 1991 until 2024.
The forest area is filled with mature white and red oaks, wild cherry and shag bark hickory. Meadow plants grow in abundance and include goldenrod, fleabane, and several types of grasses. The stream lowlands and nearby shallow wetland host numerous moisture-adapted plants, as well as bullfrogs and toads. In 2024 Perkins Township took over management and it is no longer an Erie MetroPark.
THE COUPLING METROPARK
Erie MetroParks
EDISON WOODS METROPARK
Erie MetroParks
JAMES H. MCBRIDE ARBORETUM
Erie MetroParks
BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL METROPARK
Erie MetroParks
HOFFMAN FOREST METROPARK
Erie MetroParks
HURON RIVER PATH METROPARK/ DUPONT MARSH PRESERVE
Erie MetroParks
PUTNAM MARSH PRESERVE
Erie MetroParks
EAGLE POINT COMMUNITY /STOCKDALE
Erie MetroParks
JOSEPH STEINEN WILDLIFE AREA
Erie MetroParks
WYANDOT METROPARK/BARNES EXTENSION
Erie MetroParks
WAKEFIELD METROPARK
Erie MetroParks
THOMAS WILLIAMS METROPARK
Erie MetroParks
MILAN TOWPATH METROPARK
Erie MetroParks
THUNDERBIRD MARSH PRESERVE
Erie MetroParks