Yes!
McGraw Edison Recreation Area
McGraw Edison Recreation Area is an 80-acre park located nine miles east of Zanesville in Perry Township. The site is a pleasing mixture of gently rolling grasslands and steeper wooded hillsides. Water features include Little Salt Creek and an unnamed tributary, a wetland, and a small pond. An exceptional feature of the park is a hemlock grove located near the confluence of the unnamed tributary and Little Salt Creek. This microcosm of rock outcrops and tall, graceful hemlocks provides a stark contrast to the rest of the park’s rolling fields and hardwood forests.
Thanks to the volunteer efforts of Appalachia Outdoor Adventures (AOA), five miles of beginner/intermediate mountain bike trails wind through the outer edges of the park. AOA members continue to maintain the trails.
This property was acquired and developed in 1953 by the McGraw-Edison Power Systems to use as a company recreation area. Their park featured trailer and tent camping, baseball fields, volleyball, tennis, and basketball court, two playgrounds, shuffleboard court, putt-putt golf, horseshoes, four open-air shelters, a three-season recreation hall, an outdoor movie screen, guard and equipment sheds, and outdoor restrooms. After years of declining visitation, the site was identified as surplus real estate and sold to the City of Zanesville in 1993. In 2003, the MVPD acquired the recreation area with financial assistance from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.
Things to do: MERA provides a beautiful landscape for spring wildflowers and fall prairie plants, mountain biking trails, walk, hike, catch and release fishing, birdwatching, explore the creeks and wetlands areas. An exceptional feature is the Hemlock Grove with rock outcrops. Be sure to use bug spray to repel ticks when visiting this property.
Directions: 6165 Park Ln. Take 70 East of Zanesville to the Airport Exit. Turn right onto Airport Rd., then left at the 4 way stop. Turn right onto Spry Rd. Turn right onto Park Ln. Park is located at the bottom of the long hill on the right.
FAQs
Dawn to Dusk, 365 days a year!
No! All of our parks are free to explore.
No paved trails exist at this location. Only mowed grass paths.
6165 Park Lane, Zanesville, Ohio 43701.
Yes, but pets must remain on a leash. All pet waste must be disposed of offsite.
Once you enter the park, the first right turn in the parking lot. The road does a loop if you pass the parking lot by the wetlands.
There is a portable restroom available April through August.
At this time, the only hunting that is permitted is with a camera. Fishing is allowed provided the angler has a current Ohio Fishing License. Catch and release only.
No, all waterways on the property are for viewing only to protect the plants and animals that live here. Join us the last Saturday of April for Amphibian Palooza to explore the wetlands and creek.
No. Off-road vehicles are not permitted on any of our trails or properties.
No, our parks close at dusk. Special Permits can be requested: