In 1973, the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park
District Board accepted a deed for 108 acres of the Lima Army
Modification center land from the federal government. An additional
54 acres with the former 108, totaling 162 acres, came to the Park
District through application to former President Nixon's "Legacy of
Parks" program. Subsequently, 81 acres of the land was returned to
the Lima Army Modification Center for expansion, leaving Heritage
Park at its present size of 81 acres.
The land in the area of Heritage Park was the last
Shawnee Indian reservation in the State of Ohio, and located on
this reservation was the Shawnee council house. The council house
was erected in 1790 and was the home of celebrations, funerals,
religious ceremonies, and important meetings. This building was the
center of the Shawnees' activities by both the Hog Creek Shawnees
and the Wapakoneta Shawnees. The council house stood until 1834
when it was torn down by the Hover family, who then owned the
property. The small house and barn located east of the entrance of
the West End picnic area was the old Hover farmhouse. The bank barn
used to be to the west of the farmhouse, right where the woods
begins.
Over the past sixty years, a transition has
occurred from field to forest over much of Heritage Park.
Currently, the most dominant successional state is the
Intermediate Forest to the east of the West End picnic
area. As recently as 50 years ago, nearly all of this area was
pasture. When the land was allowed to sit undisturbed, grasses and
shrubs dominated the landscape. As time passed, fast growing trees
were introduced and began to grow and overshadow the grasses and
shrubs. As this area continues to mature, the larger, hardier
trees, like oaks, ashes, hickories and walnuts will become
established and the shrubs and smaller trees, such as elms,
cherries and red maples, will die out. As the trees in the forest
grow and limit the growth in the understory, a Mature
Forest will be the dominant successional state. The West End
picnic area, for example, is considered a mature landscape.
Enjoy your hike through the matured forest or your picnic under
the hickories and oaks. While you consider how beautiful everything
is, just remember, it's all changing right before your eyes! Heritage Park
Map.pdf
LOCATIONS
Heritage Park is located in Shawnee Township, south of Lima on
Reed Road, between Shawnee Road and South Dixie Highway. The West
End picnic address is 2092 Reed Road and the Lions Den address is
1772 Reed Road.
FEATURES
- 81 acres
- 3 reservable shelters
- 2 miles hiking trails
- Play equipment
- Horseshoe courts
- Sand volleyball courts
- Water, restroom facilities
- 1 acre pond (fishing)
- Large wooded picnic area (tables, grills)
- Paved Rotary Riverwalk for hiking and biking
