Roughly 236 years ago, the founding fathers of America set a new country free from the tyranny of England, creating a republic under the principles of freedom of speech, religion, and a government elected by the people, for the people. 236 years later, we still celebrate their courageous act with patriotic displays in parades, hosting cookouts, and, of course, basking in the soft twilight glow of some awesome fireworks displays.

This year, instead of hoping your friends got a couple packs of bottle rockets for the backyard, you can head on out to camp at an Ohio State Park and see some spectacular shows. And of course, there’s more going on than just a rocket’s red glare and some bombs bursting in air…

Grand Lake St. Marys Freedom Festival – Saturday, June 30th
The Freedom Festival is a three day festival that’s more fun than you can wave an American flag at. The Festival itself begins on Friday, June 29 with live entertainment from a rocking, all-female band called Mustang Sally. On Saturday, June 30th there will be a kids’ fishing derby in the morning, a pageant to crown Little Miss Liberty, car shows and a corn hole tournament throughout the afternoon. The spectacular fireworks show will go off at 10 PM from the lake. Our insiders say that the best place to watch the display is on the West Bank or, if you can, on a boat on the lake! For the complete schedule, check out the flyer here: http://www.freedomdayspicnic.com/index_htm_files/2012%20Flyer.pdf

Portage Lakes State Park Fireworks Fun – Sunday, July 1st
Get into the independent spirit a festive, lighted boat parade starting at 9:30 PM on Saturday evening, starting at Rex Lake. On Sunday, enjoy another boat parade at 1:00 PM and then test your earthen architectural skills at the Sandcastle Building Contest at the Portage Lakes Beach from 2:00-4:00 PM. The fireworks cap off the weekend of fun at 10:00 PM on July 1st. If you get washed out, the rain date is July 3rd at 10:00 PM.

Buckeye Lake Blast – Tuesday, July 3rd
The fireworks at Buckeye Lake State Park is a long standing tradition, so don’t miss out this year! The family fun starts at noon and runs through the evening. Fireworks will go off at dusk. Our sources say that the best place to view the fireworks is from the Fairfield Beach or on the north shore of the lake. The next day, on the 4th of July, there will be a totally floaty boat parade at 11:30 AM. You can also take part in the “Special Holiday” Queen Lake Tours at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, courtesy of the Buckeye Lake Historical Society.

Alum Creek’s “Orange Boom Over Alum!” – Wednesday, July 4th
The Alum Creek Dam is going to be lit up on the 4th of July thanks to the Orange Township Business Association. Get yourselves over to the Alum Creek Beach a little early, around 7:30 and catch a concert from a band called “The Usual Suspects & the Repeat Offenders.” They’re a rocking blues band with keys, guitars, and a horn section, so you know you’ll be jamming. After the band, there will be a boat parade with fireworks following at 9:45 PM. There is parking at the Alum Creek Dam, the New Galena Boat Ramp, and the Alum Creek Beach. This is a FREE event! More details can be seen at www.orangeboomoveralum.com.

Hueston Woods 5th of July Celebration & Benefit – Thursday, July 5th
It’s going to be a party for sure at Hueston Woods! The fun starts at the lodge at 4:00 PM with live music from July for Kings and Nashville artist, Dave Gibson. Drinks and food will be available for purchase at the lodge and beach area. By dusk, a dazzling fireworks show will display over beautiful Acton Lake. Sources say that most anywhere near the lake is a good place to view the show, but the lodge will have great access. This party is not just for a good time, it’s for a good cause: attendees are encouraged to donate non-perishable items for the American Heroes Alliance & Yellow Ribbon Support Center. Check out www.huestonwoodslodge.com for more.

Indian Lake Beach Spectacular – Saturday, July 7th
The Beach Spectacular is a full day of family fun: car shows, live music, talent contests, and a pageant to crown Miss Indian Lake! The festivities begin around 11:00 AM at the Oldfield Beach and run through the rest of the afternoon. This day at Indian Lake is a day for the memory books. Fireworks will take place at 10:30 PM. Insiders claim the best spots to see the fireworks are on the south bank and west bank along the lake. The whole event is sponsored by the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce and more information can be found at www.indianlakechamber.org.

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There are many signs of spring: warmer, longer days; wildflowers begin blooming; and our woodland friends wake up from their long winter slumber. The most exciting sign of spring is Ohio’s Maple Syrup Festivals in your Ohio State Parks! To get your prepped to dip your pancakes this spring: here is a rundown of 4 Super Sweet Ohio Maple Syrup Festivals!

1) Hueston Woods‘ Maple Syrup Festival (March 3-4 & March 10-11)
Have you ever wondered how the making of maple syrup started? At Hueston Woods State Park, you’ll be treated to a tour of the sweet syrup’s history from the days of Native Americans, progressing through the modern methods we use today. From Noon – 4 PM, you can explore the Sugar Bush and see the sap getting turned into that golden brown deliciousness. You can also enjoy a warm pancake breakfast at the Hueston Woods Lodge from 7 AM to 1 PM for a small fee.

2) Malabar Farm‘s 36th Annual Maple Syrup Festival (March 3-4 & March 10-11)
History comes alive at Malabar Farm’s Maple Syrup Festival. Begin your adventure with a horse drawn wagon ride from the visitor’s center to the sugar shack, tucked back in the woods near the Pugh Cabin. When you arrive at the sugar camp, you can enter the shack and see the rich Pleasant Valley maple sap get turned into delicious maple syrup right before your very eyes. After touring the sugar shack, you’ll make a stop at the the summer bell house, where kids and adults can take part in daily pioneer chores like washing clothes, tending fire, making candles, and cooking. You can also stop in the gift shop and take home some of that delicious syrup for your own breakfast table! The festival is FREE to attend and runs from Noon – 4 PM.

3) Maple Sugaring in the Hills at Hocking Hills (March 10-11)
Anyone will tell you: there’s nothing quite like Hocking Hills in the State of Ohio. And there’s nothing quite like the maple syrup that comes from the hills! Enjoy the beauty of Hocking with a hike through the sugar bush and demonstrations of different cooking techniques that originated with early Native Americans. The fun will begin at noon and run until 4:00PM both days. The hikes and demos will begin at the Naturalist Cabin area, located behind the main Visitor Center at Old Man’s Cave.

4) Indian Lake‘s 27th Annual Maple Syrup Festival (March 17-18)
Get into the syrup spirit at Indian Lake, with tours beginning at 8 AM on a horse-drawn wagon ride through the sugar bush. You’ll make your way into the sugar shack and see pure maple sap being turned into that golden goodness.  Not only will you get to see the syrup being made, but you’ll be treated to live performances from the Madriver Valley Dulcimer Society at 9:30 AM on Saturday, and 10:30 AM on Sunday.  The Indian Lake Chamber will also be serving a pancake breakfast 8 AM – 2 PM, Saturday and 8 AM – 1 PM Sunday for a small fee.

We hope to see you out! Be sure to share your photos and stories on our Facebook page or leave a comment below.

The beauty of an Ohio State Park in the winter time is beyond compare. Frosted landscapes, frozen waterfalls, and perfect stillness can be found all over Ohio. We’ll be highlighting some of the best winter hikes we have to offer. We have two to start you off…

7th Annual Mohican State Park Winter Hike – Sunday, January 15

Mohican State Park and Forest offer outstanding beauty and limitless opportunities for visitors to hike and explore one of Ohio’s unique natural regions. The Clearfork Gorge with its towering 200 year old Eastern Hemlocks and meandering Scenic Clearfork River offer wilderness experiences for every outdoor enthusiast. With over 50 miles of trail ways for mountain bikers, horses and hikers, the winter season is an excellent time to see native wildlife like white tail deer, turkey, beaver, bald eagles and other song birds.

Two hikes – a 5K and a longer 10K hike are planned. Trails rated moderate to difficult. Hikes start and finish at the commissary. The hikes will be led by volunteers from the Mohican Trails Club. Afterwards, enjoy a warm fire, hot soup, cookies, and drinks! Meet at 10:00am at Mohican State Park commissary located in Mohican State Park Class A Campground off State Route 3, just outside Loudonville, Ohio in Ashland county.

The hike is Sponsored by Mohican Trails Club and Mohican State Park. Mohican Regional Trail Guides are available at the event, state park offices, and local businesses for only $2.00 each.

Get more information about Mohican State park here.

47th Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike – Saturday, January 21

47 years ago, the first hikers came to Hocking Hills State Park to feast their eyes on winter’s touch on Old Man’s Cave on the first Hocking Hills Winter Hike,  lead by Park Naturalist Norv Hall. On that first year, there were about 60 hikers. The event has grown immensely over the years, reaching a record attendance of 5400 hikers in 2010. No one can ever fully describe the beauty of Hocking Hills and its wild scenery in the winter– you simply have to see if for yourself.

The Hocking Hills Winter Hike is a 6-mile trek starting at Old Man’s Cave, winding through to Cedar Falls, and finishing at Ash Cave. At Cedar Falls, hikers will enjoy the festive atmosphere of the midway point, complete with nature displays and the always famous bean soup and cornbread.

Assembled hikers will depart continuously between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Park officials will provide return transportation from Ash Cave to Old Man’s Cave following the event.

For more information, check out the Heart of Hocking website at: http://www.heartofhocking.com/Winter_Hike_Hocking_Hills.htm

Get more information about Hocking Hills State Park here. Following Hocking Hills on their Facebook page!

What are some of your winter hiking stories? Share them in the comment box below or on our Facebook page.

Holiday time means big fun at your Ohio State Parks. Here are the top five holiday events, perfect for the entire family!

1) Candlelight Tours at Malabar Farm (Dec 9-11): Tour Louis Bromfield’s mansion, decorated in full holiday regalia, under the soft glow of candlelight. There will be freshly baked cookies and hot cider and admission is only $5 per adult and $3 per child. 5-9 PM Friday and Saturday; 11 AM – 5 PM Sunday. More information about Malabar Farm at www.malabarfarm.org

2) Christmas at Ash Cave in Hocking Hills (Dec 10): Step away from the hectic holiday season and come bundled for the weather while enjoying a lighted stroll back to Ash Cave.  Once you arrive at the cave warm with refreshments by an open fire.  Listen to holiday music, have the kids visit with an old fashion Santa, or help to decorate the wildlife Christmas tree. The event runs from 5-7 PM and admission is free! Get more details on Ash Cave at: www.heartofhocking.com/Ash_Cave_Hiking_Trail.htm

3) Lake Hope Trail of Lights (Dec 1-31): Experience over 75,000 lights in dozens of displays around the quarter-mile trail by the Lake Hope Nature Center. Santa will be making an appearance December 9, 10, 16, and 17. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides December 10 and 17. The Trail of Lights is open every evening in December from 6 – 10 PM. It’s free to attend, but donations are encouraged. Get more details at www.lakehopestatepark.com/lights.html

4) Christmas at Quail Hollow (Dec 8-10): Enjoy a self-guided tour through the decorated 40-room Manor House where you will also find cookies and hot wassail, live entertainment, and a visit with Santa. There will also be wagon rides and a chance to make your own ornament! The Quail’s Nest Gift Shop will also be stocked with new holiday gift items for those loved ones on your list.  Admission is $2.00 for 18 years and older and hours run 6 – 9 pm. Get more information at www.quailhollowpark.org.

5) Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights (through Jan 1): Light up your winter nights with a tour of the Alum Creek State Park campground, all lit up for the holidays! The kids can even visit Santa’s house, located nearby.  There will also be free hot chocolate and cookies for the family. This is the 12th year for this exciting central Ohio attraction. Price for admission is $10/car Monday-Thursday; $15 Friday-Sunday. Part of the proceeds go to benefit Recreation Unlimited. See more details and pricing at www.alumcreek.com/fol/index.html.

Photo by Steve Cross

What are some of your favorite outdoors holiday traditions? Share them in the comment box below or join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or still need to get some miles on your boots, it’s important to know the basics so you can hike happy. Naturalist Jenny Richards from Shawnee State Park offers a little insight about hitting the trails.

I’ve been lucky enough to work at Shawnee State Park for the past 11 years as a Naturalist. It’s an awesome place to hike and I really take advantage of the expansive trail system for my programs.

Throughout late fall and winter, I use sections of the forest’s 60-mile Backpack Trail for long strenuous hikes in the cool air. It really helps shake the cabin fever that sets in when the days are short and skies are gray.

In the busy spring and summer months when the park is hopping with visitors, many of them being families with younger children, I tend to use the shorter easier park trails.

Whether it’s a short or a long hike, it’s an adventure. And it’s always important to be prepared! Here are a few things that I recommend for those of you who want to hit the trails anywhere in our State Parks:

Check the weather. Know what the conditions will be like and dress accordingly. I recommend dressing in layers, especially in the colder months.

Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good tread and ankle and arch support. Thick hiking socks also help keep the moisture away from your feet. Avoid flip flops, high heels, and dress shoes– they have their place, but it’s not on the trail!

Bring a backpack of supplies. You don’t need anything fancy, a simple over-the-shoulder school pack will do. Include first aid supplies (band-aids, sting ease, sunscreen) and changes of clothing (socks or shirts).

Pack water and snacks. There’s nothing better than taking a rest out in the wilderness with your favorite snack and a cold beverage. Use reusable bottles and snack containers to reduce waste, and ALWAYS carry out your trash!

Take a map of the area. It’s always good to know where you are and how you got there, especially if you get lost or confused.

Some things to remember when you’re in the woods:

Stay on the trail. Leaving the trail is best way to get lost. Also, staying on the trail allows you to respect the natural environment by avoiding trampling any plants or animals in the area.

Pay attention to signage. Most paths are color-coded to help you find your way in and out, especially at intersecting points. If you’re taking the blue trail, follow the blue markers!

Avoid slippery rocks and steep embankments. Slippery rocks can swoop out your legs and take you, painfully, to the ground. Slippery rocks near cliffs, drop-offs, or embankments can lead to falls resulting in serious injury or worse, so take care!

Know what’s around you. Be aware of the plants and animals you may encounter, knowing about your surroundings really pays off to keep you safe and maximize your enjoyment!

Now that you know the basics, I encourage you to get into the woods and explore the nature around you. Sit next to a babbling brook, watch and listen for birds returning from their winter homes, enjoy wildflowers or just sit quietly and see what happens.

If you’d like to hike with me in the park or forest you can find a copy of my program schedule at the Shawnee State Park web page. I’m always looking for new friends in the forest!

What are some of your hiking tips? Share them in our comment box below or join the discussion on our Facebook page.

You can also follow Jenny on Facebook to see more of her pictures and get updates about her programs!

At Geneva State Park, Ohio State Parks crews built the third longest bridge in the State Parks system and set it in place over a running creek. This will bridge a vital gap to connect the Geneva State Lodge to the rest of the park’s trail system. Needless to say, it took a lot of hands on deck and one giant crane…

The story begins in 2008 when the Division of Parks and Recreation, on behalf of Geneva State Park, applied for a Recreational Trails Program grant to extend the park’s snowmobile trails.  The proposed work included the creation and construction of two bridges; the bridges were necessary to connect the lodge to the park for snowmobilers.

[Get more info on Geneva State Park: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/geneva/tabid/736/Default.aspx]

State Parks received $117,500 to purchase the necessary items to extend the trail and create the bridges.  The ODNR Division of Engineering assisted by designing and overseeing the construction of the bridges.  The Ohio State Snowmobile Association built the first bridge which spanned 62 feet, as well as creating new trails.  With the assistance from the Division’s Construction Crew, the bridge was put in place in the spring of 2011.

The second larger bridge, spanning a lengthy 177 feet, was built by State Parks staff.  Due to its size, three wooden piers and two concrete abutments were constructed by the Division’s Construction Crew and park staff to support the bridge.

The Division was able to locate a crane company that had a large enough crane to allow the bridge to be built in only two pieces.  The two bridge pieces were placed on the piers and connected. The bridge spans Cowles Creek, which is just west of the Geneva State Park Lodge.   Division staff will finish its construction while in place; the finishing touches include decking and nuts and bolts.

The Division has until the end of 2011 to complete the additional trail work.  With assistance from the Ohio State Snowmobile Association and parks staff this grant work will be completed and new adventures will be available to snowmobilers and other park visitors.  Geneva State Park will have a total of 4 miles of trails for snowmobilers.

Future intentions are to connect the park’s trail with the Western Reserve Greenway Trail with the overall goal of connecting the trail to Mosquito Lake’s trail.

Overall, this trial is a multiuse trial; allowing walkers, bikers and skiing.  However, certain activities are not permitted on the trail: the use of all terrain vehicles, horse riding, motorcycles, and four wheelers.

Story contributed by Melissa Taylor of the State Parks Operations Group.

Photos provided by Melissa and Geneva State Park staff.

Each year, in mid-November, our country takes a moment to recognize the veterans who have selflessly served in our armed forces. Often, we may not think about how close we might be to someone who has spent time in the service. In Ohio’s State Parks, several of our staff members who interact with you every day have served overseas in military operations. Two have offered to share their stories…

Name: John Lewis
Position: Leadership Team for the West Central Parks District
Years of Military Service: 1986-94 (8 yrs)

John Lewis served as a specialist in the 342^nd Military Police Company in the Army National Guard. His service took him to the Middle East, during Operation Desert Storm from fall of 1990 to August of 1991, where he served as an escort guard transporting prisoners to POW camps and working in the POW camps himself.

John graduated from Zanesville High School in 1989, but he didn’t graduate without first having signed up to join the armed forces. “There wasn’t really a question of whether or not I was going to join,” he said. “It’s something that seemed natural. It ran in the family.”

Both of John’s grandparents served in World War II. Grandfather Eldred Fisher served in an infantry unit in Japan and his other grandfather, John, served in a tank division in Germany and Italy. Their service was something that always resonated with him.

“Growing up, they shared their war stories with me. I heard what they’d done. I saw the pictures. As a boy growing up, your grandfather is this kind of hero and that’s what they were to me. I wanted to serve my country in the same way.

His time in 342^nd gave him the discipline, drive, and ambition which guided him through his career for Ohio State Parks: starting as a part time member of the Dredge Crew at Blue Rock State Park; to Assistant Manager at Indian Lake; and finally to the Leadership Team of the West Central Parks District, which covers seven parks in western Ohio.

“Being in the military made me want to be the best– I wouldn’t have had the work ethic or drive to move up the chain if I hadn’t gained those skills,” he said. “And Ohio State Parks is about being the best.”

With a military history in his family, Veteran’s Day takes on a special meaning for John. Each Veteran’s Day, John travels to the graves of his grandfathers and pays tribute to their legacy. “Veteran’s day,” he said, “is being reminded of all those who served our country proudly and kept us free.”

John now lives in Lawrenceville, Ohio with his wife Joanie and daughter Katie.

Name: Jason Milliken
Position: Park Officer at Salt Fork State Park
Years of Military Service: 2000-2004; 2010-present (6 years)

Jason began his military career in 2000 with the Army National Guard as a specialist in the 157^th Military Police Company. Soon after enlisting, he was stationed in Columbus, Georgia for Operation Noble Eagle 2001 to late 2002. Shortly after, in 2003, he was called to duty to serve in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Serving in Iraq gave Jason a new perspective on his life back home. “It wasn’t easy living,” he said “We never had electricity and sometimes didn’t have a bathroom either.  It makes you realize how good we have it and much you take for granted.”

“More seriously,” he added, “It makes you value your life and the time with your friends and family that much more. When you’re serving in a combat zone, it’s minute to minute, day to day. You never know when it could be your time.”

All the while, Jason was working for the Division of Parks as a ranger, making his way up the ladder. When he began in 2001, he worked a seasonal officer at the Lake Erie Islands. In 2002, shortly before leaving for Iraq, he landed a part time position at Dillon State Park. Having returned from Iraq, he was hired full-time at Salt Fork State Park and hasn’t left since.

The discipline he gained in the service helped in his position as a State Park officer. “It strengthened my professionalism and pride. Pride in wearing my officer’s uniform and professionalism in relating to visitors and when being called in to a situation.”

When he returned from his service in Iraq, he left the Army National Guard to spend time with his wife and help raise his family. But even after having left the Army National Guard, military service began calling him again. After a six year hiatus, he joined the Naval Reserves in 2010.

“I was coaching my son’s baseball team,” he recalled, “and one of the fathers was a Navy recruiter. I talked with him about getting involved again and my wife gave me her blessing. She knows that service is a passion and she’s been nothing but encouraging and supportive.”

For Jason, “Veteran’s day is the time to honor those who’ve stepped up to the plate and committed themselves to defend this country and our freedoms– especially those who suffered injuries, mental and physical, and those who gave their lives.”

Jason now lives in Henrysburg, Ohio with his wife Cassie and his children Bria and Justin.

How do you remember our servicemen and women on Veteran’s day? Tell us in the comment box below or join the discussion on our Facebook page.

In honor of Halloween, we’re sharing some of the spooky stories that come from Ohio’s State Parks. This entry is part three of the series. You can read part one, featuring Malabar Farm and Mohican State Park here. Check out part two, featuring Beaver Creek and Lake Hope State Parks here.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, our final spooky story for this year’s Halloween: The Spirits of Punderson Manor!

When the Punderson Manor House and its grounds were purchased by the state of Ohio in 1948, dust and decay dimmed the grandeur of the unfinished tutor-style mansion. After the Division of Parks and Recreation began developing the property as Punderson State Park in 1951, the manor was enlarged and remodeled to its present size and charming appearance. Despite its charms, something a little melancholy seems to have clung to this lovely place since it began attracting the families who wished to possess it. 

From the pioneer Lemuel Punderson, who in 1808 built his family home on the fair banks of Punderson Lake, to W.B. Cleveland, a wealthy industrialist who visited Punderson Lake as a young man and vowed to own it one day, to Karl Long, a wealthy businessman whose ambition was to construct a grand tudor-style mansion, each previous owner was irresistibly drawn to the place.

The Punderson Manor

After the initial remodeling of the Punderson Manor House was completed and park staff and guests began spending the night in the “old” section built by Long, reports of strange occurrences flourished. Ghostly apparitions appeared from nowhere and disappeared as suddenly, often accompanied by a bone-chilling draft. Most of these visions had the look of characters from a bygone era dressed in period costume…

– A woman napping on a sofa in what is now a meeting room in the old section was awakened by the sounds of invisible children playing, laughing and running around the room.

– Two rangers walking along the hallway on their evening rounds felt a sudden penetrating chill pass through them and then heard peals of unearthly laughter as the chill faded down the hallway.

– After passing through the well-lit dining room to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, a member of the night staff was startled as the lights in the dining room blinked off suddenly.

– In the dim dining room, she saw a figure of a woman dressed in an old-fashioned bonnet, cape and gown float through the air across the dining room, into the lobby and up a stairwell.

– On another occasion, the staffer saw the same figure surrounded by silent ghostly children whom she swept up under her cape as she faded away.

The lobby of the Punderson Manor

– As two night staffers sat talking in the lobby at the bottom of the circular staircase, they were startled to see the specter of a young girl in a pink nightgown peek around the upstairs railing, stifling a silent giggle.

– On another occasion, the little girl in pink was seen wandering the hallway late at night–on an evening when no children were registered as guests.

Why so many different apparitions at Punderson? Many tragedies seem to have befallen its former owners. Just as Lemuel Punderson was planning an urgent and confidential business trip to New England, he fell ill with a fever and died. A rumor persists that he may have committed suicide by drowning. W. B. Cleveland bought the property in 1902, experienced serious financial difficulties through the 1920s, fell seriously ill and died in 1928 just as an opportunity arose to sell the property and avoid financial ruin.

Karl Long had just purchased the property and invested $250,000 in construction of the manor house when he lost everything in the 1929 stock market crash. Broke and in despair, Long is said to have hung himself from a tree by the tower. A tavern across the lake from the manor is said to have caught fire many years ago, claiming the lives of several children inside.

During further remodeling in the early 1980s, Punderson Manor House was closed to overnight guests and modifications were made to the rooms of the old section. Today, Punderson Manor is said to be visited still by a playful spirit that likes to rattle pots and pans, turn lights on and off, and watch television in the wee hours. Guests staying in the old section claim to find faucets turned on mysteriously, heating and air conditioning units suddenly turned up full blast, clean towels and linens tossed about the room and televisions suddenly coming on at full volume in the middle of the night.

From time to time, the heavy metal fire door separating the old and new section appears to open and close by itself. Drama, mischief and mystery characterize the enduring spirit of the grand old manor built on a spot that is so irresistibly lovely that some folks may have never been able to leave it.

Stories written by Jean Backs and first appeared in the 1996 Fall/Winter issue of the Ohio State Parks Magazine.

Have you seen anything spooky at any of the state parks? Share you stories in the comment box below!

In honor of Halloween, we’re sharing some of the spooky stories that come from Ohio’s State Parks. This entry is part two of the series. You can read part one, featuring Malabar Farm and Mohican State Park here.

Enjoy these ghastly tales. We have one more part coming up!

Beaver Creek State Park

At Beaver Creek State Park, there are many reminders of the time when this area bustled with commerce. Through the 1800s, grist mills powered by the tumbling waters of Little Beaver Creek ground grain into flour.

This precious cargo was loaded onto canal boats nearby, destined for cooks in the city. Today, hikers on the Sprucevale trail come across a single remnant of a community long deserted. The ruins of Hambleton’s grist mill are all that remains of the town of Sprucevale, which once prospered with the Sandy and Beaver Canal.

Hambleton's Mill at Beaver Creek State Park (photo by Juanita Ruffner)

With the coming of the railroads, the canal system declined and, along with it, many canal towns such as Sprucevale were abandoned. Three stone walls of the Hambleton mill stand proudly in defiance of the failure of the canals and the town.

Legend has it that sometimes, late at night, the figure of a woman may be seen wandering through the old mill. She is said to be the spirit of Esther Hale, a stern Quaker preacher who lived in the town, and has kept her vigil at the mill for more than a hundred years.

Lake Hope State Park

The abandoned mining town of Moonville, near Lake Hope State Park, had once been an industrial center where supplies were delivered daily by train. One night, the careless railroad brakeman at the Moonville station near the old Moonville Tunnel had a tragic accident while on duty.

Moonville Tunnel, Lake Hope State Park

As he was waving his lantern to signal the steam locomotive to stop at the station, the brakeman swayed and stumbled into the path of the oncoming train and was killed instantly.

Folks claim that sometimes, late at night, the eerie green and red lights of the brakeman’s lanterns can still be seen glimmering, waving back and forth by the old train tunnel.

Stories written by Jean Backs and first appeared in the 1996 Fall/Winter issue of the Ohio State Parks Magazine.

Have you seen anything spooky at any of the state parks? Share you stories in the comment box below!

This photo came to us on Twitter from @RLFarmWife. She hiked Nelson-Kennedy Ledges on October 10th for an after dinner hike and snapped this photo of the magnificent view approaching Cascade Falls.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges is a small park with rugged rock formations and challenging cliff climbs.  It is located in northeast Ohio in Nelson Township.

Have you been to Nelson-Kennedy Ledges? What was the most challenging hike you’ve ever been on in an Ohio State Park? Tell us in the comment box below.

Tweet us your photos or post them on our Facebook page for your chance to have them featured on our blog!

Find out more about Nelson-Kennedy Ledges here: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/nelsonk/tabid/775/Default.aspx