New benches & trail signage at Kuffner Nature Preserve
Improvements at Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve

Heritage Trails Park District is pleased to announce that new memorial park benches and trail signs have recently been installed at the Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve! It's a great time to share a nature hike with your friends & family along our new boardwalk trail. Kuffner Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, located at 14840 County Rd 66A, just north of St. Marys, Ohio.

Heritage Trails Park District invites everyone to start their New Year off right by participating in the 2026 Cabin Fever Hike Series!
Bundle up for a refreshing winter hike along the Miami Erie Canal Towpath Trail on Sunday, January 11th, 2026. Register anytime between 1pm-3pm at the Lockkeepers' House, located at 22

Heritage Trails Park District has the perfect plan for you & your Valentine this year: Complimentary trail mix snacks and a relaxing wintertime stroll along the Miami Erie Canal in Auglaize County……..
On Sunday, Feb. 8th, register between 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the St. Marys Utilities Building (lower level), located at 106

Spring Forward with Heritage Trails Park District! Join us on Sunday, March 8th with an early springtime hike along the Miami Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
Meet at Noble Township Hall, located at 16586 Co Rd 66A, just north of St. Marys anytime from 1pm-3pm. The St. Marys Area Resource Team will be on-hand to greet partici
The ribbon has officially been cut for the new boardwalk trail at Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve! We are grateful to the Yahl Kuffner & Hartung families for their generous donations to help make these wonderful trail improvements happen. Heritage Trails Park District invites everyone to explore this amazin
The Dr. Elizabeth Yahl-Kuffner Nature Preserve has re-opened to the public! Thanks to generous donors, a brand new boardwalk has been installed to enhance accessibility to all hikers. In the coming weeks, new benches, trail signage, and informational kiosk will also be added to further improve this amazing Auglaize

Earlier this month, Heritage Trails Park District was presented with the ⭐️STAHR AWARD⭐️ from Ohio's Grand Lake Region Visitors Center! We are so grateful to receive such an honor! Thank you!
Each year, the Stahr Award is given to one group, organization or business for its outstanding contributions to the development and promotion of tourism in the Auglaize & Mercer County area. The granting of this award began in 1998, named for former Visitors Center Trustee, the late Bill Stahr. 💫
Pictured here:🏆
Heritage Trails Park District Executive Director PJ Fought along with Ambassador Award winner Matt Tuttle and Past President Award winner Jared Ebbing.

Progress Report for Heritage Trails Park District
(By: Administrative Assistant Terry McDonald)
Heritage Trails Park District has been moving forward in leaps & bounds during the past year, fueling our mission to create and preserve park lands in Auglaize County for conservation, leisure and educational purposes for everyone to enjoy. Our park district is currently comprised of six areas of park lands in Auglaize County, Ohio, including Lock 14 Park, Deep Cut Historical Park, Bloody Bridge Trail Head, Dr. Elizabeth Yahl-Kuffner Nature Preserve, eight miles of Towpath Trail along the Miami Erie Canal, and the future site of the E.J. Mackenbach Preserve.
In 2024, Heritage Trails Park District acquired the E.J. Mackenbach Preserve, approximately 70 acres of historic property just north of St. Marys, Ohio. This preserve features 34 acres of woodland, 36 acres of fields and amazing views of the Miami Erie Canal. Plans are in place to restore the agricultural fields to wetland and meadow habitats, with plantings




