Delaware State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delaware State Park |
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The entrance to Delaware State Park
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| Location | Delaware County, Ohio, United States |
| Area | 1,686 acres (682 ha) |
| Elevation | 899 feet (274 m) |
| Established | 1952 |
| Administered by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Ohio state park |
| Named for | Delaware Indians |
| Website | Delaware State Park |
Delaware State Park is a fun place to visit in Ohio, USA. It covers about 1,686 acres of land. You can find it near the city of Delaware in Delaware County. This park is open all year. It's a great spot for camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and picnics.
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History of Delaware State Park
The Delaware Indians
The park, the nearby town, and the county are all named after the Delaware Indians. They are a Native American tribe. They used to live along the Delaware River in states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
When European settlers arrived, the Delaware people were forced to move west. They kept moving further west as more settlers came. Eventually, many settled in what is now Ohio. The Delaware people were groups of Native Americans who shared a similar culture and language. Many places in the United States are named "Delaware" because of them.
Moving West
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Europeans began to arrive in America. At that time, the Delaware people lived in many areas. These included New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and parts of New York.
In 1766, the Delaware people signed the Treaty of Easton with the English. This treaty made them move west. They left New York and New Jersey. They moved into western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Over 176 years, they were continually pushed further west. Many ended up in Oklahoma in the 1860s. Some smaller groups stayed behind or moved to other areas. Today, Delaware people live in many states. These include New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.
Battles and Forts
The Delaware people did not leave Ohio without a fight. They joined a group of tribes led by Chief Pontiac. They fought in a conflict known as Pontiac's War. They also joined another group of tribes led by Blue Jacket. This was during the Northwest Indian War.
In the early 1800s, settlers from Europe and America moved into the park area. A wagon trail, now U.S. Route 23, brought them here. In 1810, a tavern was built on a small hill. This hill is now part of the park. People built a wooden fence, called a palisade, around the tavern. This was to protect it during the War of 1812.
This protected area became known as Fort Morrow. The fort was never attacked. But it made the settlers feel safe. Today, Fort Morrow is an archaeological site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another nearby site, the Ufferman Site, is also listed. It was home to people during the Late Woodland period.
Park Creation
Delaware State Park was created in 1952. This happened after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finished building Delaware Lake in 1951. The lake was built to help control floods. This was part of the Flood Control Act of 1938.
The dam on the Olentangy River helps stop flooding. It protects the Olentangy, Scioto, and Ohio Rivers. The dam was built between 1947 and 1951. It cost about $4.3 million to build.
Nature and Wildlife
Delaware State Park is surrounded by farm land. Long ago, this area was a thick old-growth forest of beech and maple trees. These old trees were cut down a long time ago. But now, a healthy second growth forest is growing in the park.
This forest is home to many animals. You might see white-tailed deer and fox squirrels. There are also groundhogs and pheasants living here.
Fun Activities
Delaware State Park is open for fun all year long. You can bring boats of any size onto Delaware Lake. The lake is also a great place for fishing. There is a special area for swimming too.
The park has a marina where you can buy fuel. You can also get fishing and boating supplies there. The lake has many kinds of fish. These include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and muskellunge.
You can also hunt for waterfowl (like ducks) along the lake. Special spots for hunting, called duck blinds, are given out by a lottery. Hunting for other animals is allowed in the wildlife area. There are many picnic spots along the lake shore. They have tables and are available first-come, first-served.
