Big Creek Park - Geauga County Park District

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Geauga County Park District

Big Creek Park is a 642-acre wooded tract in Chardon Township. Scenic Big Creek bisects the park from south to north, and with its many tributaries creates a landscape of varied relief.

History:
In 1926, Samuel Livingston Mather purchased almost 1,000 acres of land in Chardon Township with hopes of creating a high-class resort. The onset of the Depression, however, shattered his dreams.

Because of Mather's desire to see the area preserved, 505 acres were donated to the State of Ohio in 1955. After the park's creation, newly-formed Geauga Park District entered into a lease agreement with the state in 1965. Several adjoining parcels were later acquired to bring the total to 642 acres. In 1990, the state officially transferred ownership of the leased portion to the Park District.

Habitats:
Most of the park is forested with a rich beech-maple woods, which are carpeted with colorful wildflowers each spring. Numerous species of songbirds migrate from the tropics to nest in this mature forest, which also shelters many kinds of woodland animals among the trees.

The uplands are divided by small streams, exposing the glacial deposits and bedrock in their ravines. Where the valley of Big Creek narrows, hemlock trees line the cool steep slopes. Distinctive plant species are found on the clay slumps and among flood plain areas.

More information at
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/parks/bigcreek.shtml