Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District

Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District A system of natural areas designed to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Allen County, OH
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Coloring Page Friday 🎨This week’s page celebrates pollinators and native flowers, some of the hardest working parts of o...
06/13/2026

Coloring Page Friday 🎨

This week’s page celebrates pollinators and native flowers, some of the hardest working parts of our ecosystems.

Download your coloring page in the comments and share your finished creation with us.

We love seeing your artwork come to life!

Bell-bottoms, classic hits, and a summer night at the park? Sounds like a pretty good combination to us. ✌️Join us Satur...
06/11/2026

Bell-bottoms, classic hits, and a summer night at the park? Sounds like a pretty good combination to us. ✌️

Join us Saturday, June 13, from 7–9PM at the Ottawa Metro Park Amphitheater for an evening packed with your favorite hits from the 60s and 70s.

From singalong classics to feel-good throwbacks, this free Summer Amphitheater Series performance is the perfect excuse to grab a lawn chair, bring some friends, and enjoy a night outdoors.

Now, be honest… what 60s or 70s song instantly gets you singing along?

06/11/2026

🦌We think she knew the camera was rolling…

This week’s Weekly Wildlife Watch took an unexpected turn when Marie had a very curious visitor at the McElroy Environmental Education Center.

And let’s just say… this white-tailed deer was more than ready for her close-up.

But beyond being adorable, she was showing off something else: her fresh summer coat!

Have you ever noticed that deer change color throughout the year?

🌿 Summer coats are thinner and reddish-brown, helping deer stay cool and blend into the lush greens of the season.

❄️ Winter coats are thicker, fluffier, and grayer, helping them stay warm during Ohio’s coldest months.

Nature is constantly changing, and sometimes it gives us a front-row seat.

Have you spotted any deer in their summer coats yet?

And remember, today (and every day) is a great time to GET OUTSIDE! 🌳

🐢 Have you noticed more turtles crossing roads lately? You're not imagining it!This time of year, turtles are on the mov...
06/10/2026

🐢 Have you noticed more turtles crossing roads lately? You're not imagining it!
This time of year, turtles are on the move, but do you know why?

Why are turtles often seen crossing roads this time of the year?

A. They are finding nesting areas
B. They need to spend a lot of time out of the water after winter
C. They are trying to find somewhere cooler
D. They change where they live every year

Drop your guess below... We'll reveal the answer later this week!

🐢 Bonus challenge: Have you spotted a turtle yet this spring?

📚 Wild Reads Check-In! Chapters 33–36We've reached the final chapters of *The Hidden Life of Trees* and they left us wit...
06/09/2026

📚 Wild Reads Check-In! Chapters 33–36

We've reached the final chapters of *The Hidden Life of Trees* and they left us with plenty to think about.

Did you know forests are constantly helping clean the air around us? Or that the reason we see forests as green is because chlorophyll reflects that color back to our eyes?

Some of our favorite takeaways from these chapters included:
🌿 Trees acting as giant air filters
💚 Why forests appear green to us
🌳 The importance of allowing natural growth and wilderness to thrive
🤝 The reminder that humans are part of nature, not separate from it

One quote that really stood out to our Naturalist team was: "Every walk in the forest is like taking a shower in oxygen."

Check out this week's Naturalist Notebook to see more of the notes, questions, and conversations that came from these final chapters.

If you've been reading along, what was your biggest takeaway from Chapters 33–36?

📖 Next week, we'll wrap up *The Hidden Life of Trees* and share some of our biggest lessons learned from the entire book before we begin our next Wild Reads adventure.

Happy reading!

Behind every trail, wetland, wildflower, and conservation project is a team of passionate people who care deeply about o...
06/07/2026

Behind every trail, wetland, wildflower, and conservation project is a team of passionate people who care deeply about our parks.🌿

Today, we're shining the spotlight on Anne Smedley, Natural Resources Supervisor.

Whether she's working on habitat restoration, native plant projects, conservation initiatives, or helping protect the natural beauty of our parks, Anne's work impacts thousands of visitors every year, often in ways they never see.

Take a few minutes to get to know Anne and learn what inspires her work, her favorite park experiences, and what she loves most about the natural world.

What's your favorite thing about nature in our parks? 🌳

🎣 National Fishing & Boating Week is here!Summer mornings on the water just hit different.Whether you’re casting a line ...
06/07/2026

🎣 National Fishing & Boating Week is here!
Summer mornings on the water just hit different.

Whether you’re casting a line for the first time, teaching your kids to fish, or simply enjoying a peaceful afternoon near the water, our parks offer great places to slow down and reconnect outdoors.

Before you head out:
✔ Check fishing regulations
✔ Bring sunscreen & water
✔ Respect wildlife habitats
✔ Pack out what you bring in

🌊 Fishing isn’t just about catching something; it’s about the memories made along the way.

What’s your favorite local fishing spot?

DID YOU KNOW? Summer at Lima Lake just got even better! 🌅🛶Kayak rentals are officially up and running at Ottawa Metro Pa...
06/06/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

Summer at Lima Lake just got even better! 🌅🛶

Kayak rentals are officially up and running at Ottawa Metro Park!

It’s an easy way to get outside, slow down for a bit, and enjoy the lake from a completely different perspective.

Rentals are available every day from sunrise to sunset through the Koloni app.

Now the only question is… morning paddle or afternoon paddle?

06/06/2026

📣📣Today’s amphitheater program with Marks Ark is postponed due to weather conditions.
Stay tuned for updates!

Address

1682 Slabtown Road
Lima, OH
45801

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14192211232

Website

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