Kuffner Nature Preserve is OPEN!
Kuffner Nature Preserve re-opens with brand new boardwalk trail...
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 County park. Our park lands are open to the public from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Pets on a leash are welcome, but please clean up after your pet. Kuffner Nature Preserve is located at 14840 County Rd 66A, St. Marys, Ohio.
Heritage Trails has wheels!
New memorial park benches and trail signs have recently been installed at the Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve
Heritage Trails Park District invites you to explore the Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve for a spring wildflower hike!
Enjoy a self-guided hike along the wooded trails of this unique nature preserve, where numerous species of Ohio’s native wildflowers can be found, including the official State Wildflower of
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 St. Marys Community Public Library and the Heritage Trails Park District invite the public to a Gardener’s Swap and Share from May 4th to May 13th during library hours. A cart will be stationed near the entrance of the library. Folks are able to swap or share potted seedlings, plants, and supplies with fellow garde
The St. Marys Community Public Library and the Heritage Trails Park District invite the public to a Gardener’s Swap and Share on Wednesday, May 13th. Join us for a presentation at 7:00 p.m. given by T. Rae Neal, who will talk about “Health Benefits of Gardening.” Before the presentation, at 5:30 p.m., come to the parki
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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
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.