Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, ohio 43110
(southeastern Franklin & northwestern Fairfield counties)
Pickerington Ponds is an ideal spot for bird watching with more than 270 species of waterfowl and migratory birds. Two observation areas, plus 2 observation decks offer quality view of the ponds. The park also contains beaver, fox, deer and other wildlife and 100s of acres of restored wetland habitat.
State Nature Preserve: 416 acres of Pickerington Ponds are dedicated as a state nature preserve.
Wildlife viewing: There are five observation areas in the park, all of them great places to view wildlife. From the observation decks at Bowen Road and Wright Road, overlooking Ellis Pond, you get good views of the great blue heron rookeries in the trees along the south shore. The best time to see the herons is between late March and mid-May. There are two spotting scopes on the deck at Bowen Road. The Bernard and Susan Master Deck at the Glacier Knoll Picnic Area overlooks Arrowhead Marsh, with views of the nesting ospreys. The deck has its own spotting scope. Best time to view the ospreys is late March to mid-July. The observation deck at the Wood Duck Picnic Area gives fine views of Mallard Marsh and Blue Wing Pond. At the far end of the Killdeer Trail, another observation deck overlooks Pintail Marsh.
Download Pickerington Ponds Trail Metro Map
