Four separately marked trails connect the French Creek Nature center at one side of the park with the Pine Tree Picnic Area at the other. These trails take you from water’s edge to the tops of ravines, offering spectacular view of the creeks below, from rolling, winding paths to level straight-aways ideal for cross-country skiers.

Natural Habitat
Nearly all of the French Creek Reservation’s 451 acres are forested, making it one of the largest forested areas in the lake plain. The forest varies greatly in age, with some areas over 100 years old, while others have only been reforested since the Lorain County Metro Parks obtained the land in the 1960’s. A walk through the reservation reveals a variety of trees, including sycamore, pin oak, walnut, maple, cottonwood, and chestnut. In the warmer months, trillium, violet and wild geranium add splashes of color to the rich green. Many species of wildlife call these woods home, including deer, red fox, kingfisher, green heron, 2-lined salamander, red-bellied woodpecker and many other species 
of birds.

Pine Tree Picnic Area
True to its name, several groves of pines sprinkle the Pine Tree Picnic Area with the perennial green, rich smells and carpets of orange needles. The area offers two reservable picnic shelters for groups of 100 and 25, a modern playground with handicap access, drinking fountain and an indoor restroom facility. There are plenty of grills and picnic tables, both in sunny, open spaces or under the shelter of the trees. The area is linked by two trials: Sugar Creek Trail (.55 miles) which winds in a loop along the rivers’ edge of the Sugar Creek Ravine and Big Woods Trail (1.5 miles) which cuts through the picnic area at opposite sides and can take you all the way to the French Creek Nature Center at the other side of the reservation.

French Creek Nature Center
The French creek Nature Center offers plenty of things to do and see, including programs and exhibits, bird and wildlife observation areas, an indoor playground and reservable classroom. If you decide it’s too nice to stay indoors, you can take a walk down a crushed-gravel trail that links up to the other trails in the reservation. In any case, you’ll be glad you checked us out! 

Discover the French Creek Reservation
4530 Colorado Avenue
Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054
440-949-5200

he Avon Parks and Recreation Offices are located at 35001 Schwartz Road. The Parks Department takes great pride in keeping the City Parks a place of beauty and recreation for the citizens of Avon. The Parks Department can be reached by calling 440-937-6106 and the staff consists of a Director, Secretary, 4 full-time employees, 4 permanent part-time employees and 4 Summer helpers. The department maintains 5 parks located throughout various locations in Avon and consists of 135 acres. The Recreation Department can be reached by calling 440-937-4461. The Recreation Department has a recreation Coordinator on staff and offers many excellent activities for citizens of Avon all year long. The Parks & Recreation offices are open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4pm and office hours for the Recreation Coordinator are 9:30am to 2:30pm Monday through Friday. 

Spring program offerings include a Volleyball Clinic, Fun Science with Mrs. K and Mini Masters. Summer offers numerous programs including Youth Football Camp, Girls and Boys Basketball Camps, Recreation Soccer Camp, Magic Camp, Playground Days, Theatre Camp, Tot T-Ball, Junior High Tennis Camp, Tennis Camp, Safety Town, Adult Co-Ed Softball League and Adult Co-Ed Sand Volleyball. Fall programming includes Boy’s Basketball Clinic, TeenzArt, Fun Science Sessions, Mini Masters Art Programs, Girls Intramural Volleyball, Adult Co-Ed Volleyball, Flag Football and Self Defense. During those long cold Winter days, the Recreation Department offerings include Adult Open Gym Basketball, Hoop Zone Clinic, Moondog Mini Dribblers, Fun Science Sessions, Mini Masters Sessions and a Recreation Basketball program. Registration Forms and lots more information can be found online at www.cityof avon.com.