Strouds Run State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strouds Run State Park |
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Dow Lake from vista point
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| Location | Athens County, Ohio, United States |
| Area | Land: 2,606 acres (1,055 ha) Water: 161 acres (65 ha) |
| Elevation | 705 feet (215 m) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Administered by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Strouds Run State Park |
Strouds Run State Park is a large outdoor area next to the city of Athens in Athens County, Ohio. This state park covers about 2,606 acres (1,055 hectares) of land. It also includes Dow Lake, a man-made lake that is 161 acres (65 hectares) big. The park is a popular spot for people to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
Contents
Park History
The land for Strouds Run State Park was first bought in the 1940s and 1950s. It was originally planned to be part of the Athens State Forest.
Building Dow Lake
In the late 1950s, construction began on the Dow Lake Dam. This dam was finished in 1960. After the dam was built, the entire area officially became Strouds Run State Park.
Early Families and Land
A large part of the park's west side used to belong to the Gillett family. They owned more than a thousand acres of land. You can still see parts of their old farmstead on the Trace Trail. There is also a "Pioneer Cemetery" from their time on the land. Two nearby nature preserves, Blair Preserve and Tucker Run Preserve, were also once Gillett family land.
Another part of the park was bought in 1953 from the Crumley family. Their ancestor, Dr. John Jackson Crumley, bought the land about 100 years before. He used it as an experimental tree farm. Dr. Crumley was also one of Ohio's first state foresters.
The Cone Family and Marchmont
A big section on the upper east side of the park belonged to the Cone family. Next to their farm was a large, one-room school house. This school was taken apart when Dow Lake was built. Some of its materials were used to build the Strouds Run Community Church nearby. They were also used for a new barn for Charles Cone, whose old barn was lost to the park's construction.
The area around the old school house was briefly known as Marchmont. From 1893 to 1901, Marchmont had an inn and a post office. This was located at the bottom of what was then called Tucker Hill.
Other Families and Land Ownership
Besides the Gillett and Cone families, other families like Cain, Finsterwald, Weiss, and Stalder were also affected by the park's creation. Many of these families came to the United States with Baron deSteiguer. The Baron bought land in the area from the heirs of John Paul Jones. Much of the land in this region was once owned by the Revolutionary War admiral.
Nature in the Park
Strouds Run State Park is located in a part of Ohio called the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. This means the area was not flattened by glaciers long ago. The park has many narrow valleys, ridges, and steep hillsides.
Rock Formations and Springs
You can find many bluffs and rock shelters throughout the park. These were formed by a type of rock called Connellsville sandstone. There are also a few springs in the park. These springs come from Ames limestone, including Linscott Spring, which has an old springhouse. The normal water level of Dow Lake is about 665 feet (203 meters) above sea level. The highest point in the park is about 1022 feet (311 meters) above sea level.
Forests and Wildlife
Some parts of the park have forests that are over a century old. These areas have not been significantly disturbed by humans. The nearby Riddle State Nature Preserve includes Hawk Woods. This is one of Ohio's very few true old-growth forests.
You can see many different birds in the park. Common birds include black and turkey vultures. You might also spot Canada geese, red-winged blackbirds, and different types of hawks. Barn swallows are also often seen.
Animals like beavers and white-tailed deer are common in the park. While bobcats are known to be in the wider area, they are not usually seen inside the park itself.
Activities and Facilities
Strouds Run State Park offers many things to do for visitors.
Park Amenities
- A campground with pit toilets (no showers).
- A swimming beach for cooling off.
- A boat dock and rentals for boats and canoes.
- Picnic grounds and shelters for outdoor meals.
- Hiking trails for exploring the park on foot.
Hunting is allowed during certain seasons. However, public shooting ranges are no longer available.
Forests and Trails
Many areas of the park are pine plantations. These were planted in the mid-1900s when the land was bought for the Athens State Forest. There is also a small baldcypress plantation. However, most of the park is covered in mature hardwood forest. The park also features many bluffs and rock outcrops made of sandstone. You can also find several beaver ponds within the park.
Many of the trails in the park are open for mountain biking.
Lake Activities
Dow Lake is used by Ohio University for water sports like crew. It's also a very popular spot for Ohio University students. They often visit the lake to enjoy sunny spring or summer days.
The lake is stocked with several kinds of fish every year. This includes rainbow trout, which are added for fishing.
Nearby Public Lands
Strouds Run State Park is next to other public lands. It borders the city's 325-acre (1.3 km²) Strouds Ridge Preserve Project. This project includes the Riddle State Nature Preserve. The park also borders the Athens Conservancy's 75-acre (0.3 km²) Blair Preserve.
Additionally, the 264-acre (1.1 km²) Baker Tract is a short drive away. This area is also managed by the Athens Conservancy. It has a public access trailhead on Ohio State Route 690.
