Places to run

Wildwood Metropark

Wildwood is the most popular of the Toledo Metroparks.  Located close to the expressway and sitting between the Cities of Sylvania and Toledo it is easy access to many runners. Wildwood host over 8 miles of various dirt trails and over 3 miles of paved roads.  Wildwood is also popular due to its connection to the Universiy/Parks Trail.

Map

Directions

 

University/Parks Trail

The seven-mile trail stretches from the University of Toledo campus to Silica Road in Sylvania Township. It offers a lush greenway through woodland, pasting meadows and wetlands. The level, paved path is suitable for joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters, and can easily accommodate wheelchairs.

The trail has several neighborhood access points, a trail connecting to the Wildwood Preserve Metropark trail system, and designated roadway connections to Ottawa Park, Olander Park and Westfield Shoppingtown at Franklin Park.

The University/Parks Trail is owned by Lucas County and maintained by Metroparks, the University of Toledo and the City of Toledo. Metroparks rangers and, in some sections, local jurisdictions patrol the trail.

Mileage: 7 miles, one-way

Parking:

Tam-O-Shanter
McCord Road
Wildwood Preserve
Ottawa Hills Municipal Building
University of Toledo Southwest Academic Center
Ottawa Park

More Information - https://metroparkstoledo.com/trails/universityparks-trail/

 

Secor Park

Secor Park is one of the least used parks for running but can be considered a hidden gem because of this.  The park has one main trail (~3.4 miles mainly consisting of crushed gravel) with several smaller off chutes to run.  As Secor Park is kept as a 'Natural Park', chemicals are not used to control the bug population and mosquitoes can be overwhelming at times.  

Map -  https://metroparkstoledo.com/media/6154/mta-secor-map-website-11032020-rs.pdf

Directions

 

Oak Openings Preserve

Oak Openings is the largest and most diverse of all the Toledo area Metroparks.  As Oak Openings has several trails that stretch over a good distance this is a great place for a long run any time of the year.  The Mallard Lake Area is the recommended place to park for access to the majority of the trails.

Map - https://metroparkstoledo.com/media/4636/mta-oak-openings-maponly-feb2020.pdf

Directions

 

Pearson

The only Metropark on the East side of Toledo, Pearson provides a 3 mile outer loop trail consisting of crushed gravel as well as several forested trails on the interior.

Map - https://metroparkstoledo.com/media/3465/mta-pearson-map.pdf

Directions

 

Side Cut

Located along the Maumee river in the City of Maumee, OH.  Side Cut offers trails of soft grass as well as some crushed gravel.  The western area of the park offers a 1.6 mile loop used by the Thursday night's group for repeat laps.

Map - https://metroparkstoledo.com/media/3464/mta-side-cut-map.pdf

Directions

 

Providence/Farnsworth/Bend View

Together these parks combine to make a nice scenic run along the banks of the Maumee River.  Starting from one end park and running to the other end park you will enjoy ~9 miles of crush gravel and shade.   

Map - https://metroparkstoledo.com/media/4638/mta-river-parks-maponly-feb2020.pdf

Farnsworth Directions

Bend View Directions

Providence Directions

 

Swan Creek

Located in the heart of South Toledo this park features soft wooded trails along the stream as well as paved trails throughout the park.  Expect to see many deer in the fields as you run by.

Map - https://metroparkstoledo.com/media/3461/mta-swan-creek-map.pdf

Directions

 

Ottawa Park

Located near the University of Toledo in west Toledo, Ottawa Park is maintained by the city.  The park has one main trail that runs the perimeter around the Ottawa Park golf course.  This path is ~3 miles long, paved, and 50% shaded by trees.

Map - http://www.ottawapark.org/find-locate-ottawa-jermain-park-toledo.html

Information - http://www.ottawapark.org/

Directions

Hill Training

River Road between Perrysburg and Waterville
High Level Bridge
Ottawa Hills
Arboretum in Ann Arbor, MI

Fort Meigs, Perrysburg, OH

Pickney, MI (45 minute drive up 23)

 

 

 

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