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Welcome to the
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Miami County Park District!
We have over 1,900 acres of natural areas, most of which are waiting for you to explore. From waterfalls to scenic rivers, from hiking trails to rolling prairies, the Miami County Park District offers many opportunities for you and your family to enjoy the great outdoors. Please take a moment to complete our visitor's survey.
Don't miss the summer youth programs Eco-Splorers.
Upcoming “Dog Socials” 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Bundle up to meet other friendly dogs and their people buddies. If your dog is nice and plays well with others, this is the program for you. “Thank You for Baggin’ it”.
July 19, “Musical Dogs” Hobart Urban Nature Preserve
August 16, “Dog Days of Summer” Greenville Falls State Scenic River Area
September 20, “A Bark in the Park” Stillwater Prairie Reserve
View photos from recent Dog Socials
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Share the Wonder...Did you see interesting wildlife on a recent hike? Flowers or plants that you would like others to enjoy? Report your observations through words or photos to mrhoades@miamicountyparks.com to have your observations transferred to this website. |
Do You...
- Enjoy the outdoors?
- Want to share your expertise and knowledge?
- Want to protect the services, facilities and programs made available through the Park District?
- Want to ensure the next generation has parks, nature preserves and wildlife areas to enjoy?
- Want to give back and help the community?
- Know people in the community willing to give their time and resources to promote the Park District?
To learn more and download an application to be a Park Volunteer... click here |
You can now register for programs by e-mail: register@miamicountyparks.com. Roving Naturalists are in the parks at various times. You may find them in any park on the weekends, so watch for them in their staff shirt. They may be doing a mini-program or will be there to answer your nature question. |
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SIGNS OF SPRING
The Miami County Park District completed two of the first prairie burns of the season at Garbry’s Big Woods Reserve and Stillwater Prairie. Prairie burns are usually scheduled for early spring during the months of February thru April. The park staff chooses this time frame as to not disrupt the animals that begin nesting in late April and early May.
Historically, Mother Nature managed prairies by starting fires with lightning. Later, Native Americans used fires to help manage the prairies. Today, park staff are the stewards of the prairies.
Burns are necessary to maintain the prairie’s health. It is an effective tool that helps control woody growth and prevents the prairie from evolving into a young forest. Burning dried remains of the previous years growth benefits new plants and provides important nutrients to the soil. This is how the various grasses and wildflowers are able to thrive.
After considerable planning over the winter, park staff and a burn team choose the areas that are in need of management. “Typically, prairies are burned on a three to five year rotation depending on the overall health of the prairie,” says Dan Weaver, assistant operations supervisor for Miami County Park District.
Precautions are taken to assure the burn is safe for the public and surrounding areas. A team of highly trained park staff plan and execute the burns. Property owners who are adjacent to a selected burn site are notified by letter that a burn will take place. Also, most prairies have a firebreak in place which is widened prior to a burn. “Parks are not closed during a burn but there is limited access to certain areas based on public safety,” says Weaver.
We hope to see you in the parks soon!
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