POSSUM CREEK METROPARK

Website:

https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/possum-creek/

Location and Directions

Possum Creek MetroPark is about 5.4 miles southwest of downtown Dayton. From the intersection of I-75 and US 35 in downtown Dayton, go south on I-75 for 1.0 miles and exit right (west) onto Edwin C. Moses Blvd.-Nicholas Rd. (The road is called Edwin C. Moses Blvd. at I-75, but the name changes to Nicholas Rd. after 0.5 miles.) Follow Nicholas Rd. 2.6 miles (from I-75) to Gettysburg Ave. Turn left (south) onto Gettysburg Ave. and go 1.0 mile to Frytown Rd. Turn right (west) onto Frytown Rd. and go 0.8 miles to the park entrance on the left.

To go to the Possum Creek MetroPark Farm on the south side of the park, continue south on Gettysburg Ave. 0.6 miles past rytown Rd. to Caylor Rd. Turn right (west) onto Caylor Rd. and go 0.4 miles to Soldiers Home-West Carrollton Rd. and turn left south). Go 0.6 miles on Soldiers Home-West Carrollton Rd. and turn right (west) onto Shank Rd. Go 0.1 miles on Shank Rd. to the farm entrance on the right.

For a map showing the location of Possum Creek MetroPark, see Five Rivers MetroPark Map.

Area Description and Habitat

Developed from old farmland, 550-acre Possum Creek MetroPark offers a diverse collection of habitats including tall grass prairie, old fields, woodlands, several ponds, and a lake. Several areas of tall grass prairie were planted by the Park District starting in 1980. Included in the park is the 100-acre Possum Creek Farm along the southern edge of the park.

Species Found

Common nesting and migrant waterfowl, including Wood and Ring-necked Ducks, use the lake and the ponds. In addition, migrant shorebirds often stop by, including Yellowlegs and Peeps.With all of the open habitat, American Woodcocks occur in good numbers and can easily be found in late March and early April. Other breeding birds generally easy to find include Willow Flycatcher, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroat, and Field Sparrow. Sedge Wrens are often found in the tall grass prairie in late summer. Rare birds that have been found here include Peregrine Falcon, Merlins, and Yellow Rail.

Facilities and Other Information

Possum Creek has 4.5 miles of walking/hiking trails. A 3/4-mile farm trail passes through open meadows and wooded areas, crosses a creek, goes through a patch of prairie, past a frog pond, and through a marsh on a boardwalk that leads to a bird blind.

The Possum Creek Farm is open to the public for exploring the farm buildings and visiting the farm animals.

Picnic areas are equipped with tables, some with charcoal grills, and some with shelters. Restrooms and drinking water are available.

Fishing is permitted in the lake and the four stocked ponds.

Winter recreation includes cross-country skiing and ice skating.

Hours are 8 am to dusk daily. Closed Christmas and New Years Day.