Wildwood Preserve Metropark, Nature reserve in Toledo, United States
Wildwood Preserve Metropark is a nature reserve in northwestern Ohio, set along the Ottawa River and made up of forests, prairies, and walking trails. The property also includes a Georgian colonial manor house that is open to the public, along with gardens and open lawn areas.
The Georgian manor house was built in 1938 as the private home of the Stranahan family, one of the prominent families in the Toledo area at the time. Starting in 1975, local residents pushed to preserve the land and open it to the public as a park.
The Manor House is open year-round and gets decorated during winter holidays, drawing many visitors from across the region. Its rooms are open to walk through, giving a sense of how a prosperous local family lived in the early 20th century.
The main entrance is on West Central Avenue and is clearly marked, making it easy to find by car. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the trails cross both wooded sections and open prairie ground where conditions can change quickly.
The ground beneath the park belongs to the Oak Openings Region, a rare type of sandy landscape that is nearly gone from this part of Ohio. This soil supports plants and ground-nesting birds that are not found in the farmland and suburbs surrounding the reserve.
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