Osage Orange Trail, Sugarcreek Metropark, Ohio

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, picnicking LENGTH OF HIKE: 1.3 miles OUT AND BACK OR LOOP: Loop DIFFICULTY OF TERRAIN: No ELEVATION GAIN: Unsure PARKING FEE/PASS: No TOILETS: Yes CHANGING TABLE: No NURSING BENCHES: Yes DOGS ALLOWED: Yes BIKES/HORSES/MOTORS ON TRAIL: No CELL RECEPTION: Yes DRINKING WATER AVAILABLE: Yes POTENTIAL CHILD OR BABY HAZARDS: Poison ivy, nettle, roots GEAR SUGGESTIONS: Big-wheel stroller, bug spray The Osage Orange Trail is one of Hike it Baby Dayton’s favorites because the terrain is easy enough for toddlers and strollers to hike side by side. Older kids and parents will enjoy the beautiful old-woods scenery and the history that goes with it, which includes some of Ohio’s oldest oak trees—the Three Sisters—and a beautiful archway of Osage orange trees that used to line an old farm lane. Younger kids will love the enormous mud puddles in the rainy months and the fact that they are allowed to run wild without concern of any dropoffs or bikes on trail. The start of this trail has a great nature play area where the kids can build a log structure, balance along fallen trees, and imagine a life in the woods. Remind your little ones that they can play as long as they want if they hike hard. One of the highlights to look out for on this hike is the wildflower prairie before the main loop starts. This is a great spot to birdwatch while enjoying the bench swing. Also, feeding moms can take a pit stop here on their hike and feed a hungry one. Another notable stop is the Three Sisters, three large oak trees over 550 years old standing magnificently not even a mile into the hike. In 2008, one died and fell, but two are still standing. It’s fun to take a picture of them with your child standing next to them to get a feel for how tall they are. Also make sure to check out the Osage orange archway tunnel of trees, which is amazing in every season. Osage orange is a hardwood tree introduced to Ohio in the 1800s and used for making fences and bows and arrows. These trees offer  excellent shading on the trail during the summer thanks to the tunnel they form and the leaves overhead and the tunnel they form and the leaves overhead, and they make a white wonderland arch in the snow. These trees are a beautiful, if a bit eerie, site if you catch them when the fog rolls in. Winter is great on this hike, as the stillness of the woods and the lack of leaves have a stark beauty. During the fall, the wildlife is easy to spot here as squirrels tussle through the falling leaves. The summer heat and humidity can be hard for little hikers, but early morning or evening hikes are great times to get out there. Bugs  during late summer can be a nuisance, though. Look for beautiful birds in this park. Owls hide in the trees high above in the woods and woodpeckers are plentiful. Squirrels and deer are also easy to spot wandering through the bushes. The Sugarcreek runs along the north edge of this Metropark, and although the Osage Orange Trail does not go along it, other trails do and it’s a great spot to let some of the bigger kids play. INSIDER’S TIP Sugarcreek is part of the FiveRivers Metroparks system, and they have amazing naturalists who do many free events throughout the year. Check their website before you plan your visit to the area: www.metroparks.org/places-togo/sugarcreek/.