Spring Valley Nature Preserve
“Time spent among trees is never time wasted.” ― Anonymous
Spring Valley Nature Preserve
Spring Valley Nature Preserve is made up of 45 acres. It is wooded except for a large open field at the entrance. The entrance to the central Ohio nature preserve sits just before the Johnstonwn / Newark road sign. If you aren’t paying attention, you could easily miss it.
The Trails
There are several trails that lead off the main trail. All the trails are narrow and natural. The trails are marked, but it is easy to mistake areas as part of the trail when they are not. Also, there are makers setup stating that some trails are private.
The beginning trail is Robert’s Ridge. You first cross a small footbridge that leads to a private tennis court. Past the court is a set of stairs.
Once you get to the top of the stairs, you can follow Robert’s Ridge to the right or take Song Bird Trail to the left. We chose the Song Bird Trail. This trail is very steep and winds back and forth. It seems to go on forever.
From there we took Flower Pot Trail. This trail was easier to walk and gave our legs a break from the steep climb. There were a lot of downed trees in this area. Nature preserves always leave nature to take its course. But there was an excessive amount laying everywhere. It seemed a little odd.
We came upon another trail marker and decided to walk the Owl Gulch Trail. Again, this trail didn’t have too much elevation change. It was a peaceful walk that winded through the woods. It met back up with Flower Pot Trail.
Continuing on Flower Pot Trail, we spotted a red squirrel, American Robin and a Brown Creeper.
From Flower Pot Trail we took Daniel’s Way. This trail had a slow decline that made its way back to Robert’s Ridge Trail. Robert’s ridge went left and right. We chose to go right and continued to head downhill.
Not far down Robert’s Ridge, we came upon another trail that branched off to the left. This trail was Proposal Tree Trail. This trail also takes you to the exit.
This trail is rather short and leads to a small bridge that crosses Salt Run Creek.
The end of Proposal Tree Trail comes out into a large open field. To the left is a large shelter house with several picnic tables and trash cans. Across the field, up on the hill is another shelter house. To get to it, you must climb a long staircase.
On the far end of the field is the parking lot.
Of all the trails we took, we walked 1.97 miles.
Birding
When we visited the nature preserve, we didn’t see many species of birds. However, according to eBird there have been 93 species recorded.
Our Thoughts
If you live in the Granville, Ohio area, Spring Valley Nature Preserve is a nice place to get some fresh air and exercise. However, we wouldn’t recommend that you make a special trip.
There are several benches set up along the path, which is a positive. Many places that we visit don’t have any seating available.
If you have older children, this would be a nice place to visit. Depending on the trails that you choose to hike, you can get through the Ohio nature preserve pretty quick. And once you are done, you could enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the shelter houses. Take into consideration that the shelter houses may be rented out.
What You Can Expect at Spring Valley nature Preserve
Please note that park rules and regulations can change at any time. The following information was in effect for Spring Valley Nature Preserve as of March 2020. We were unable to locate any park rules or regulations at the preserve or on the Granville Recreation Website.
There was one porta potty.
According to eBird there have been 93 different species identified.
A couple small footbridges.
Concealed carry is permitted in Ohio State Nature Preserves. However, this Ohio Nature Preserve did not have any information regarding concealed carry.
Pets are prohibited in Ohio State Nature Preserves. However, this Ohio Nature Preserve did not state if dogs were allowed.
Many different elevation changes.
Blacktop parking area. Parking spaces are not marked. There is probably enough room for 10-15 cars.
There are picnic tables located in both shelter houses.
There is NO playground available.
A decent amount of seating is available along the trail.
There is plenty of shade.
There are 2 shelter houses.
Trails are marked and easy to see. However, there were a few trails that looked as though they went one way, but went another.
Trails are natural.
There were trashcans located at the lower shelter house.
Salt Run Creek winds through the Nature Preserve.
ADA parking is not available.
Coon Creek Platform Tennis Club
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