adventure
Splash Zone The Splash Zone Waterpark includes over 400 feet of water slides, a 280-foot lazy river water vortex, a sprayground for the little ones, a 25-yard competition pool, two one-meter diving boards, zero-depth beach with a heated entry and Ohio’s first bowl slide. 300 Eagle City Road | 937-328-PARK | www.ntprd.org
Buck Creek State Park
MAD RIVER FISHING Ohio’s oldest trout stream is the Mad River. Stocking of this river began in the late 1800s with the introduction of brook trout. Then in 1884, rainbow trout were introduced to the stream; and in 1931, ODNR switched to stocking brown trout in the stream. Today the stream is stocked annually with 6”-8” brown trout to supplement the population. Fly fishing is good on the Mad River, as there are good hatches of mayflies, caddis flies, and other popular trout foods throughout the spring, summer, and fall months.
1901 Buck Creek Lane 937-322-5284 buckcreekstatepark.org Buck Creek State Park encompasses 4,030 acres including a 2,120-acre lake and offers swimming, camping, shelters, marina, cabins, fishing, hiking, and winter activities. Visitors enjoy the many wetlands, broad meadows and wildlife at this diverse park. The 2,120-acre C.J. Brown Reservoir at Buck Creek State Park is popular for walleye, bluegill, catfish, and bass. The park offers 26 twobedroom cottages situated in a wooded area with several offering a view of the lake in addition to 89 electric and 22 non-electric camp sites.
Boasting more than 7.5 miles of hiking trails and a scenic 7.5-mile bridle trail, the park offers plenty of opportunities for nature study, bird watching and other wildlife observation year round. During the winter, the trail is also open to snowmobiling, weather permitting.
Gateway Learning Gardens - OSU Extension Office 4400 Gateway Blvd. # 104 937-328-4607 Enjoy a guided tour or stroll on your own through this five-acre site including nine theme gardens, 6 perennial gardens, a children’s garden themed around children’s literature, and an early Ohio settlers’ kitchen garden.
DID YOU KNOW? SPRINGFIELD IS PART OF THE LONGEST CONNECTED BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM IN THE U.S.
Ohio Caverns 2210 East State Route 245 West Liberty, Ohio 43357 937-465-4017 OhioCaverns.com These once-hidden caves are one of Ohio’s top tourist attractions with over 2 miles of surveyed passageways ranging in depth from 30 feet to the deepest point of 103 feet.
10
sospringfield.com
Carleton Davidson Stadium 1101 Mitchell Blvd. 937-328-7275 The newly-renovated facility is home to Wittenberg University’s baseball team and plays host to local youth and adult tournaments and leagues. The neighboring Stadium Annex Field is a host for local, state, regional, and national tournaments.
Rei Lakes Fishing 3815 Crabill Road 937-322-8353 reilakes.com Nestled in the heart of Clark County, Rei Lakes is one of Ohio’s best kept secrets. The park is over 100 acres with over 60 acres of beautiful lakes and more than two miles of accessible shoreline.
George Rogers Clark Park 936 S. Tecumseh Road 937-882-9216 grcha.org A 248-acre park, George Rogers Clark Park and its picturesque lake is the historic site of the largest Revolutionary War battle west of the Alleghenies, the Battle of Peckuwe. Enjoy picnicking, fishing and historic reenactments throughout the year.