Buck Creek State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Buck Creek State Park
Buck Creek State Park marina
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Location	Clark County, Ohio, United States
Area	Land: 1,596 acres (646 ha) Water: 2,120 acres (860 ha)
Elevation	1,020 ft (310 m)
Established	1975
Administered by	Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Designation	Ohio state park
Website	Buck Creek State Park

Buck Creek State Park is a huge outdoor area in Clark County, Ohio. It covers over 4,000 acres of land and water. The park is leased by the state of Ohio from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its main feature is the C. J. Brown Reservoir, a large lake. This lake was created to help control floods in the Ohio River area. People visit the park all year long for fun activities. You can go camping, boating, hunting, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and hiking.

History of Buck Creek State Park

Who lived in the park area long ago?

Native American History

Long ago, different Native American tribes lived where Buck Creek State Park is today. As settlers from the east moved in, there were conflicts over the land. In 1780, a group led by George Rogers Clark fought against the Shawnee people. The Shawnee, including a young warrior named Tecumseh, were forced to move. After some battles, peace eventually came to the area.

How did pioneers settle the land?

After a major battle and a peace agreement called the Treaty of Greenville, the land became safe for settlers. Simon Kenton led some families to the area near Buck Creek. These early settlers began clearing the land for farming. They used the fallen trees to build homes and barns.

More and more settlers moved in, farming the rich land. The nearby town of Springfield was started in 1801. It became an important center for farming tools. This helped the area grow from a farming community to an industrial one.

Why was the C. J. Brown Reservoir built?

The C. J. Brown Reservoir and Dam are named after Clarence J. Brown. He was an important politician from Ohio. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for many years. The dam project was named in his honor.

The dam was built across Buck Creek to help control floods. It helps prevent flooding in the Ohio River basin. The dam is very large, measuring over 6,600 feet across and 72 feet high. The reservoir, or lake, covers about 2,120 acres.

What is the Crabill Homestead?

The Crabill Homestead is an old house located within the park. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. David and Barbara Crabill settled here in 1813 after traveling from Virginia. The house is a two-story Federal style home with other old buildings around it.

The homestead stayed in the Crabill family until the early 1900s. It was empty for many years. When the dam was being built, the house was almost torn down. Luckily, the Clark County Historical Society saved it. They restored the property and opened it to the public. Today, another group offers tours of the homestead during certain times of the year.

Natural History of Buck Creek State Park

What is the land like at Buck Creek State Park?

Buck Creek State Park is in an area with low hills called moraines. These hills were formed over 12,000 years ago as glaciers melted and moved back. The glaciers left behind piles of gravel and sand. Some ancient streams were covered by this sand and gravel. Now, these streams come out of the ground as springs. These springs create many bogs and fens in the area.

What plants and animals live here?

The bogs and fens are home to some rare and unusual plants. These include the horned bladderwort and round-leaved sundew. You might also spot the spotted turtle, which is an endangered species in Ohio. The park is also a great place for birdwatching. Many migrating waterfowl visit, along with rare songbirds like Henslow's sparrows, dickcissels, and bobolinks.

Over 4,000 acres of land are protected at Buck Creek State Park. Early settlers described this land as a prairie, or wet grassland. Most of it was turned into farmland. However, some small patches of natural prairie remained. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Ohio Department of Natural Resources are working to restore the prairie. They use seeds from these original patches to replant areas, especially below the dam. This helps bring back the natural environment.

Recreation at Buck Creek State Park

What can you do for fun at the park?

Buck Creek State Park offers many fun activities for visitors. You can go swimming in the lake or try fishing for walleye, white bass, and crappie. The park has places for camping and cabins you can rent. Boating is very popular on the reservoir.

If you like to explore, there are 5.5 miles (8.9 km) of hiking trails. There are also 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of bridle trails for horseback riding. During the winter, you can enjoy various winter recreation activities. In certain seasons, hunting is also allowed.