http://www.marioncountyparks.info/

Marion Tallgrass Trail, 2093 Holland Road W, Marion, OH (2026)

08/30/2026

🌿🌾 IT’S GOING TO BE A BUSY WEEK WITH MARION COUNTY PARKS! 🌾🌿

We’ve got FOUR great opportunities to get outside, explore nature, get some exercise, and celebrate Marion County’s natural heritage! 🌳🦋

Here’s what’s happening this week:

🌲 MONDAY, AUGUST 31 — Nature Stroll Through the Park
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Marion Tallgrass Trail but meet at the Espyville Baptist Church on Espyville Road

We’re changing things up this week and exploring a different part of the Marion Tallgrass Trail! We’ll meet at Espyville Baptist Church, and the trail is only about ¼ mile down the road.

This section offers a little more forest habitat than some of our other trail areas, so who knows what we might discover! 🌳👀 Birds, plants, insects, wildlife…you never know what we’ll find when we slow down and take a closer look at nature!

🚶 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 — Power Walking in Nature
🕗 8:00 AM
📍 Marion Tallgrass Trail Trailhead

We’re kicking off a NEW PROGRAM! 💪🌿

As the name suggests, this will be a faster-paced walk designed to combine exercise and nature.

We’ll start at a comfortable pace during the first half-mile, gradually pick up the speed, and work our way toward approximately 3 miles.

You don’t have to be a marathon runner—just come ready to move, get some exercise, and enjoy the outdoors! 🌳🚶‍♂️💨

🍂 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 — Nature Center Open
🕓 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Marion Tallgrass Trail Trailhead

If you’re visiting the trail, make sure to stop by the Nature Center! 👋

Come say hi, ask a question, pick up one of our publications or materials from one of our partnering agencies, and check out this week’s FREE kids’ craft!

🍂 This week, we’ll be making BUCKEYE NECKLACES! 🌰

⚠️ Supplies are limited, so this will be first come, first served!

🌾🐝 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 — MARION COUNTY’S FIRST-EVER PRAIRIE FESTIVAL! 🐝🌾
🕚 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Marion Harding High School

This is the BIG ONE! 🎉

Join us and the North Central Pollinator Pathway for Marion County’s first Prairie Festival!

Did you know that much of Marion County was once covered by prairie? Our area was part of the historic Sandusky Plains Prairie, once one of the largest prairie landscapes in Ohio! 🌾

Today, only small remnants of those original prairies remain—but restoration efforts are helping bring these incredible habitats back! 🌱

The Prairie Festival will celebrate the prairies of our past, the restoration happening today, and the importance of protecting these habitats for the future.

Come out for an afternoon filled with:

🎲 Games
🎨 Crafts
🌱 Native plants
🐝 Pollinator activities
🦋 Educational displays
🌾 Prairie information
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly activities
…and plenty of opportunities to learn more about Ohio’s amazing native prairies!

🌱 Natives In Harmony Native Plant Nursery will also be selling native plants at the festival!

It’s not too late to add native plants to your yard or garden and give our local pollinators a helping hand. Every native plant can make a difference! 🐝🦋🌻

☔ RAIN OR SHINE!

If Mother Nature decides to send us some rain, don’t worry! We’ll simply move the festival activities INSIDE Marion Harding High School.

🌿 Four programs/events. Four opportunities to get outside. One busy week with Marion County Parks!

We hope to see you out there! 👋🌳🦋

08/28/2026

🌿✨ BIG NEWS FOR NATURE LOVERS! ✨🌿

September is packed with adventure, discovery, and plenty of opportunities to Get Out & Explore Your Marion County Parks! We have some exciting events planned, and we can’t wait to see you out in the parks and in our community! 🌳🦋

🌾 FIRST-EVER PRAIRIE FESTIVAL!
📅 Saturday, September 5 | 11 AM–3 PM
📍 Marion Harding High School

Join us and the North Central Pollinator Pathway for Marion County’s first Prairie Festival!

Did you know that much of Marion County was once covered by prairie? Our area was part of the historic Sandusky Plains Prairie region, which was once one of the largest prairie landscapes in Ohio.

Today, only small remnants of those original prairies remain, but restoration efforts are helping bring this incredible ecosystem back to life. 🌾🌼

This festival will celebrate the prairies that once covered our county and the amazing prairie habitats being restored today!

There will be games, activities, crafts, educational displays, and plenty of opportunities to learn about Ohio’s native prairies and pollinators. 🐝🦋

🌱 One of the highlights will be Natives In Harmony Native Plant Nursery, which will be selling native plants at the festival!

It’s not too late to add native plants to your yard or garden and give local pollinators a helping hand. Every native plant can make a difference! 🌻🦋🐝

☔ RAIN OR SHINE!
If Mother Nature decides to join us with some rain, don’t worry! We’ll simply move the festival activities inside Marion Harding High School.

🦖 PALEONTOLOGY IN THE PARK
📅 Saturday, September 19 | 1–4:30 PM

Travel back millions of years and discover the prehistoric world! 🦕🌎

Learn about dinosaurs, prehistoric creatures, and the incredible animals that once roamed the Earth. We’ll also take a look at Marion County’s own prehistoric history, including the mammoth excavation site discovered right here in our area more than 40 years ago!

This will be a prehistoric adventure the whole family can enjoy! 🦴🦖

🎉 CATCH US OUT IN THE COMMUNITY!

We’ll also be making an appearance at Downtown Marion’s Third Thursday, so stop by, say hello, and chat with us!

🏡 THE NATURE CENTER IS BACK OPEN! 🌿

And here’s another exciting update, you may notice something a little different when you visit the Marion Tallgrass Trail!

We’re excited to announce that our Nature Center is opening back up! 🎉

We have finally resolved the methane issue that previously prevented us from opening the building, and we’re thrilled to once again welcome visitors inside.

When the Nature Center is open, we’ll have some kind of free craft, game, or activity for kids, along with information and publications from the Marion County Park District and our partner organizations.

Have a question about one of our parks? Looking for something to do outdoors? Curious about a plant, animal, or other nature-related question?

Stop in and say hello to Naturalist James Anderson! 👋🌿

Be sure to check our calendar and page for Nature Center dates and times, as the schedule will vary throughout the month.

🌿 MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR OTHER NATURE PROGRAMS! 🌿

September offers many additional opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with nature. Be sure to check our calendar and page for the other nature programs available throughout the month, including educational activities, guided explorations, and family-friendly events!

📅 QUICK REMINDER:
Programs begin approximately 5 minutes after the listed start time.

🌦️ Weather conditions may occasionally cause changes or cancellations, so be sure to keep an eye on our page for the latest updates.

🍂 September is the perfect time to get outside, explore something new, and discover the natural treasures right here in our own backyard!

🌿🦋 Get Out & Explore Your Marion County Parks! 🦋🌿

08/28/2026

A professional will be spraying along the shoulder of the trail between DeCliff and the west end of the trail today, in order to control noxious weeds and vegetation that could harm the trail.

08/27/2026

Check out this incredible video captured by Naturalist James Anderson! 🦋 He caught a Viceroy butterfly in action right at the Trella Romine Prairie. We’re so lucky to have incredible outdoor spots like this right in our backyard—make sure to get out and explore all the wonderful green spaces in our county this week!

08/26/2026

Prairie Plant Tour at Trella Romine Preserve 🌾🦋

On Monday, we held a Prairie Plant Tour at the Trella Romine Preserve/Greencamp Prairie, and what a great evening it was! We had four wonderful participants join us as we explored this unique and special piece of Marion County’s natural history.

The Trella Romine Preserve is one of the last few remaining prairie remnants of the Sandusky Plains Prairie region, along with nearby Claridon Prairie. These small remnants give us a glimpse into what much of Marion County, Ohio, may have looked like before European settlement.

During our tour, we discovered quite a few interesting plants, insects, and other signs of life. One of the highlights was seeing several monarch butterflies using the prairie. With monarch migration underway, places like this prairie are especially important as feeding and resting habitat for these incredible travelers. 🦋

📍 The preserve is located at the corner of State Route 203 and State Route 739, just outside the village of Green Camp.

One important note: This preserve is not owned by the Marion County Park District. It is owned by the Ohio Appalachian Alliance and has been managed by our beloved friend, Kensel Edward Clutter, whose dedication to preserving these special places has made a lasting impact.

⚠️ If you visit: We noticed quite a bit of poison ivy throughout the preserve. Please wear appropriate clothing and protective gear, especially if you are sensitive or allergic to poison ivy.

Places like the Trella Romine Preserve are more than just beautiful landscapes, they are living pieces of Marion County’s history. They allow us to step back in time and experience a small glimpse of the prairies that once covered much of the Sandusky Plains.

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped us explore and appreciate this remarkable piece of Marion County’s natural heritage! 🌾🦋

08/26/2026

Today, the world lost a true legend. 💔📚

Dolly Parton was much more than a beloved musician and entertainer. She was a passionate advocate for children, education, and the power of a good book. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, children have received free books and discovered the joy of reading from an early age.

Here in Marion County, that legacy has a special connection to our parks.

Marion Public Library Let’s Read 20 Book Walk along the Marion Tallgrass Trail was made possible through a grant supporting literacy and childhood education. Because literacy and imagination have always been such an important focus of First Lady Fran DeWine, we were honored to have her help cut the ribbon when the Book Walk was created.

We have also featured a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book along the trail, creating a wonderful connection between reading, imagination, and the outdoors.

First Lady Fran DeWine played an important role in bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children across Ohio, helping make free books available to kids throughout the state. That statewide effort, combined with Dolly’s original vision, has touched countless families, including families right here in our community.

It is especially meaningful to know that as children and families walk the Marion Tallgrass Trail, they can enjoy a book together while experiencing the beauty of nature. Every page turned, every new word learned, and every young imagination sparked is part of the legacy Dolly helped create.

At age 80, Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond music. Her kindness, generosity, and belief in the importance of giving children books will continue to impact generations to come.

Thank you, Dolly, for helping make the world a little brighter, a little kinder, and a whole lot more imaginative. ❤️

Your legacy lives on, not only in the songs we remember, but in the books children hold in their hands and the stories they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

📚🌳💔

08/25/2026

🌳 Have You Explored All of Marion County’s Parks & Green Spaces? 🌿

Did you know Marion County is home to 8–9 different park departments and numerous organizations that provide outdoor spaces for our community? There are so many places to explore that you may not even realize are right in your own backyard!

In addition to the Marion County Park District, our villages have their own parks and recreation areas, several townships maintain green spaces, and the City of Marion offers places to enjoy the outdoors. We also have incredible state-managed areas, including Big Island Wildlife Area and Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, as well as outdoor spaces connected to organizations such as The Ohio State University at Marion, Pheasants Forever, Terradise Nature Preserve, and many others.

Even some of our local schools, including Marion Harding and Elgin, have outdoor spaces that are open for people to enjoy! 🦋🌾

While these organizations may be funded and managed differently, we all share a common goal: getting people outside and connecting with nature. Whether you enjoy:

🥾 Hiking
🚲 Bicycling
🎣 Fishing
🦆 Wildlife watching
🛶 Canoeing or kayaking
🌳 Exploring nature
🛝 Playing on a playground
🏹 Hunting

There is something for everyone!

So, how many of Marion County’s parks and green spaces have YOU explored? 👀

We encourage you to get outside, try somewhere new, and discover the incredible outdoor opportunities right here in our community!

Go out and explore YOUR Marion County parks! 🌎💚

08/24/2026

🌾 Can You Believe It’s Already the Last Full
Week of August?! 🌾

It’s hard to believe that September is just around the corner! We’ll be sharing our September program calendar here in the next couple of days, but first, here’s what we have coming up this week.

Also, we apologize for the last-minute notice we forgot to get today’s program advertised yesterday. Better late than never! 😊

🌿 Prairie Plant Tour -TODAY!
📅 Monday, August 24
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Trella Romine/Greencamp Prairie
Larue-Prospect Road South (OH-203), Marion, OH 43302

The property is located at the corner of State Route 203 and State Route 739. We’ve included a Google Maps image to help you find the location.

🚗 Parking: Shoulder parking along the road.

🌾 During this program, we’ll explore the prairie and take a closer look at the plants that make this unique habitat so special. This will be our first-ever program at this location, and we’re excited to explore it with you!

This site is especially significant because it is one of the remaining remnants of the Sandusky Plains Prairie region, a once-extensive prairie ecosystem that covered much of central Ohio.

A few things to know:
• We’ll be walking through tall vegetation, so tick-resistant clothing and appropriate footwear are strongly recommended.
• Please bring plenty of water, especially with the warm weather.
• Be prepared for an adventure as we explore a location we’ve never held a program at before!

We hope you can join us tonight as we discover a little piece of Ohio’s prairie history! 🌻🦋🌾

08/22/2026

🦫 The Good & The Not-So-Good of Beaver Dams! 🌿💧

Beavers are incredible ecosystem engineers, and their dams can have a major impact on the landscape. But like many things in nature, there can be both positive and negative effects.

🌱 The Positive Effects:
• Create wetlands that provide important habitat for frogs, turtles, birds, fish, insects, and other wildlife.
• Slow down water and help reduce erosion.
• Improve water quality by allowing sediment and nutrients to settle out.
• Create additional sources of food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife.
• Increase biodiversity by creating a mixture of wetland, woodland, and aquatic habitats.

⚠️ The Negative Effects:
• Flooding can impact trails, roads, agricultural fields, or nearby property.
• Standing water can kill trees and other vegetation that aren’t adapted to saturated soils.
• Dams can block or alter the movement of fish and other aquatic organisms.
• Beaver activity can sometimes create maintenance challenges for land managers.

Ultimately, beavers play an important role in healthy ecosystems. Their dams can dramatically change a landscape, but those changes can also create new opportunities for wildlife and biodiversity. 🦫🌎

A big thank-you to Naturalist James Anderson for capturing this footage of beaver activity here at the Marion Tallgrass Trail! 📸🎥

Have you ever spotted a beaver dam or seen the changes beavers can make to a landscape? Let us know in the comments!

Marion Tallgrass Trail

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