Self-guided Tree I.D. Hike

Take a Tree Identification Hike this October!

Heritage Trails Park District invites you to explore the Dr. Elizabeth Yahl-Kuffner Nature Preserve for a tree I.D. hike!
Beginning October 1st, bring a friend & celebrate the autumn season by enjoying a self-guided hike along the wooded trails of this unique nature preserve, where numerous species of Ohio’s native trees can be found. Experience a walk through a grove of Paw Paw trees, spot examples of Ohio’s official state tree, the Ohio Buckeye, and observe the countless colors of autumn’s beauty. Signage will be located along the trail to help you identify tree species first-hand. Interpretive signage will remain in place thru the entire month of October, so stop by any day you like! A brand-new boardwalk trail was recently installed to enhance accessibility for all hikers. Hike at your own pace, learn as you go along, and spend some quality time outdoors!
Kuffner Nature Preserve is located at: 14840 County Road 66A, just north of St. Marys, Ohio.

We also ask that you please:
-Stay on the trail. Doing so protects this precious wildlife habitat!
-Take nothing, leave nothing. Please carry in & carry out all trash.
-Please steer clear of ongoing construction areas as we work to install new benches and trail signage.
-Pets on a leash are welcome, but please clean up after your pet.
-Share your photos and tree hike experience with us on Facebook @HeritageTrailsParkDistrict or email us at info@htparks.org.
Get outdoors & celebrate the fall season with Heritage Trails Park District!

Kuffner Nature Preserve is OPEN!

By Terry McDonald • September 18, 2025
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

2025 Autumn Newsletter

By Terry McDonald • September 15, 2025
To sign-up to receive our quarterly newsletter, please email info@htparks.org

Heritage Trails Park District - 2025 Stahr Award Winner!

By Terry McDonald • May 28, 2025
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.

2025 Walk with Nature Fall Festival

By Terry McDonald • May 26, 2025
56th Annual Walk With Nature Fall Festival Sunday, October 19, 2025 Noon to 5:00 p.m. Located in Memorial Park & Mill Park in St. Marys, Ohio along the Miami and Erie Canal Trail. Fall family fun & something for everyone! Bring the whole family and experience a relaxing autumn stroll along the beautiful Miami Erie Canal…(shuttle bus service included!) Then return to Memorial & Mill Parks to enjoy live music, crafts, reenactors, and a wide variety of vendor booths and farmers’ market items for browsing, as well as food trucks for snacking!

Progress Report for Heritage Trails Park District

By Terry McDonald • March 17, 2025
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

THE STORY OF THE BLOODY BRIDGE

By HTPARKS • February 23, 2021
A tale of a lovers quarrel, and murder. Visitors say they can see the ghostly images of a headless man walking along the bridge at sundown, and drowned woman in the canal below. Making the Bloody Bridge a notorious attraction for those who seek the paranormal.