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Van Buren State Park
12259 Township Road 218
Van Buren, OH
Correspondence and Phone Inquiries c/o Mary Jane Thurston State Park
1-466 State Route 65
McClure, OH 43534-9711
(419) 832-7662
Park Map
|
|
| Activity |
Facilities |
Quantity |
| Resource |
Land,
acres |
251 |
 |
Water,
acres |
45 |
|
River
Miles |
1 |
| Day-Use
Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
Hunting |
yes |
|
Hiking
Trail, miles |
1 |
|
Multi-Use
Trails |
6 |
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
Picnic
Shelters, # |
3 |
| Boating |
Boating
Limits |
EMO |
| Winter
Recreation |
Cross-Country
Skiing |
yes |
|
Ice
Fishing |
yes |
|
Ice
Skating |
yes |
| Camping |
Campsites,
# |
75 |
|
Campsites
with Elec., # |
0 |
|
Pets
Permitted |
yes |
|
Dumpstation |
yes |
|
Group
Camp, capacity |
200 |
|
Multi
-Use Camp |
* |
Van Buren State Park offers a quiet retreat with
fishing and picnicking opportunities. The woodlands are a small but valued
refuge in the rich agricultural land of northwestern Ohio.
Nature of the Area
Van Buren State Park lies in the rich agricultural
plains of northwest Ohio. The plains, referred to as till plains, receive
their name from the glacial debris, or till, which covers preglacial hills
and valleys. The till plains are the result of the deposition and
smoothing action of the glaciers. Most hills in these areas are mounds of
boulders and soil left by the retreating Wisconsinan glacier. Beneath the
almost continuous cover of glacial deposits lies sedimentary bedrock
which, in this region, is mostly limestone with a little shale. Much of
this limestone is the magnesium-bearing form called dolomite.
The original vegetation of the area, before settlement, was mostly
woodland. Today, much of the vegetation consists of farm crops such as
corn, soybeans and wheat. Locally, a small but valuable remnant of the
original woodland remains. Beech and sugar maple occupy a large portion of
the wooded area in Van Buren State Park. Mammals found in the area include
red fox, red squirrel, white-tailed deer, raccoon, skunk and opossum.
Other animals found are the eastern garter snake, spring peeper, eastern
bluebird, eastern meadowlark, cowbird, woodcock and short-eared owl.
Wildflowers abound in the fields and woodlands of the area. Dutchman's
breeches, spring beauty, thimbleweed, daisy fleabane and chicory are
commonly found around the park.
History of the Area
The Van Buren State Park region was originally
inhabited by the Shawnee Indians. Banished from their homeland in
south-central Ohio, this was the last stronghold of the tribe before they
eventually departed for lands west of the Mississippi River. Indian
artifacts and relics can still be found on what used to be Indian Island,
located in the northwest section of the lake.
Van Buren is located just north of the town of Findlay which was founded
in 1821. The development of the town was quite slow until the discovery of
natural gas in the 1880s. A German physician named Charles Osterlen became
convinced that an enormous reservoir of natural gas lay beneath the town
of Findlay. He told of his belief and was scoffed at and regarded as a
vain dreamer. But his patience and perseverance prevailed as he succeeded
in organizing a stock company to drill for gas. The well was successful
and spawned the growth of a great industry in Findlay. At one time,
Findlay claimed the largest gas well in the world, with an output of 20
million cubic feet daily.
The land comprising Van Buren State Park was originally set aside as a
wildlife preserve. In 1939, a dam was constructed over Rocky Ford Creek to
provide additional fish and wildlife resources. In 1950, the area was
turned over to the newly created Division of Parks and Recreation. It has
been maintained as a state park ever since. The park was named for Martin
Van Buren--eighth President of the United States.
Camping
Van Buren offers a campground with 40 non-electric
sites. Tables, pit latrines and a dump station are provided. A primitive,
walk-in, youth-group camping area is located in the southeast section of
the park and is available by reservation. Pet camping is permitted on
designated sites.
Fishing and Hunting
Good fishing is available at Van Buren Lake. Catches of
largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bullhead, bluegill and carp
await the skilled angler. Park property east of TR 229 is designated for
hunting in accordance with state laws. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting
license is required.
Boating
Van Buren Lake provides excellent boating opportunities
for rowboats, canoes and boats with electric motors only.
Trails
Several hiking trails are provided on the south side of
the lake. A scenic two-mile trail traverses the perimeter of the lake.
Picnicking
Three picnic areas are situated in scenic locations
throughout the park. Three shelterhouses are available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Area Attractions
Springville Marsh, a state nature preserve, is located
east of Van Buren in Seneca County on Township Road 24. The preserve is
one of the largest interior wetlands in the till plains of western Ohio.
The Old Mill Stream Parkway off State Route 37 stretches 23 miles from
Riverbend Recreation Area to the restored Blanchard River Village in
Gilboa. Canoe access, heritage trail, boat livery and bikeways are offered
along this scenic route. The North Country Bikeway passes through the
park. Picnic areas, restrooms and parking are provided along the bikeway.
The Hancock County Courthouse located in Findlay is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Built in 1833 and restored in 1976, the
building now serves as headquarters for the Hancock County Park District.
For additional information on local attractions, contact the Ohio Division
of Travel and Tourism at 1-800-BUCKEYE.
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