Medlar

Park Features

Great-Little Trail

The 2.25 scenic paved trail through Medlar is part of the Great-Little Trail, an east-west route that starts at the Great Miami River Trail just north of Crains Run Park (west), traverses the Medlar Conservation Area and then runs along Austin Pike/Blvd and then Social Row Road with a goal of reaching the Little Miami Scenic Trail (east). The trail makes a significant step toward a southern connection between the region’s two main arterial trails.

Future Forest

20,000 trees were planted in 2012-13 as part of regional reforestation initiative by Five Rivers MetroParks in their battle against invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). To see this planting area, park in the lot for the Medlar Conservation Area located on Medlar Road. Follow the paved trail to the east side of Medlar Road to see this new forest under construction.

Overlook at Eagle Hill

While on the Great-Little Trail, stop to take in the magnificent view from Eagle Hill. With its incomparable vista, you’ll know when you’re there.

Click to Explore

There is ADA accessible parking and a 2.25 mile paved section of the Great-Little Trail.

Take Route 60 to Byers Rd & Austin Boulevards. The entrance to Medlar Conservation Area via the Great-Little Trail is approximately one mile east off Miamisburg-Springboro Pike.

Within the past 100 years, Ohio’s vast forests have been reduced to small woodlots and narrow woodlands along streams. These fragmented forests are especially vulnerable to invasive bugs like emerald ash borer and invasive shrubs like Amur honeysuckle. Five Rivers MetroParks has protected many of the best remaining mature forests in Montgomery County and started a massive reforestation program in 2011 to help counteract the impacts of the threats facing our remaining forests.

One of MetroParks largest reforestation projects can be seen at Medlar Conservation Area. A future forest of 20,000 trees was planted in 2012-13 on former farm land within the conservation area as part of the Shepard’s Run Reforestation Project, paid for with the help of the Clean Ohio Fund. Many of these trees were planted with the support of community volunteers.

To see this planting area, park in the lot for the Medlar Conservation Area located on Medlar Road. Follow the paved trail to the east side of Medlar Road to see this new forest under construction.

Through the acquisition of this property, MetroParks has protected a mature streamside forest which increases wildlife habitat, protects water quality, and filters runoff from the surrounding land.

The headwater streams in the conservation area drain directly to Crains Run, a tributary of the Great Miami River.

The scenic 2.25 mile bikeway winds through a beautiful prairie and meadow, past a thicket and old growth woods.

Rolling on, cyclists pass wetland areas and an expansive river valley vista atop Eagle Hill. This trail is part of the Great-Little Trail, connecting the Great Miami River Trail with Austin Pike/Blvd and Social Row Road with a goal of reaching the Little Miami Scenic Trail (east).

These trails offer users 330 miles of diverse terrain in a variety of settings. Discover inspiring natural areas, charming small towns, and vibrant city downtowns.

This conservation area contains a mature woodlot, headwater streams to Crains Run, and several wide veins of hydric soil. Portions of the land were formerly farmland and now include wetland, prairie, and thicket.

Visitors traveling along the paved trail through the park will discover diverse habitats and terrain that are home to wild turkey, fox, deer, and many species of birds.

The Miami Erie Canal went through the land now known as Medlar during the 1820-30s. The canal served as the first link between Dayton and Cincinnati. A canal remnant and stone aqueduct remains on the property.