Hancock Park DistrictHancock Park District
  • About
  • Parks
    • Hancock Park District Administrative Offices
    • Aeraland Recreation Area
    • Riverbend Recreation Area
    • Litzenberg Memorial Woods
    • Blue Rock Nature Preserve
    • Oakwoods Nature Preserve
    • Conservation Areas
    • Riverside Park Waterfront
    • Eastpoint Area
    • Centennial Park
    • Great Karg Well Historical Site
    • Jackson, Liberty and Blanchard Landings
    • River Landings
    • Hancock County Community Parks
    • Waterfalls Area
    • Blanchard River Nature Preserve
    • Hancock Park System Map
  • Programs & Activities
    • Virtual Experiences Toolkit
    • Programs & Activities Calendar
    • Education Programs
    • Things To Do By Water
    • Photo Contest Gallery
    • Heritage Trail Map
    • Things To Do By Land
    • Public Program Registration & Guidelines
  • Reservations
    • Facility Reservations
  • BCRP
  • Contact
  • About
  • Parks
    • Hancock Park District Administrative Offices
    • Aeraland Recreation Area
    • Riverbend Recreation Area
    • Litzenberg Memorial Woods
    • Blue Rock Nature Preserve
    • Oakwoods Nature Preserve
    • Conservation Areas
    • Riverside Park Waterfront
    • Eastpoint Area
    • Centennial Park
    • Great Karg Well Historical Site
    • Jackson, Liberty and Blanchard Landings
    • River Landings
    • Hancock County Community Parks
    • Waterfalls Area
    • Blanchard River Nature Preserve
    • Hancock Park System Map
  • Programs & Activities
    • Virtual Experiences Toolkit
    • Programs & Activities Calendar
    • Education Programs
    • Things To Do By Water
    • Photo Contest Gallery
    • Heritage Trail Map
    • Things To Do By Land
    • Public Program Registration & Guidelines
  • Reservations
    • Facility Reservations
  • BCRP
  • Contact

Things To Do By Land

Birding

Discover the joys of birding in Northwest Ohio throughout the Hancock Park System. In addition to providing great exercise, birding is a relaxing, inexpensive way to spend time outdoors with family and friends.

The Hancock Park District has an ongoing Bird Monitoring project. All skill levels are welcome; first-time birders can learn about birds or veteran bird watchers can become better at identifying their feathered friends. This hands-on, in-the-field approach to monitoring environmental changes is one of the ways volunteers experience a wide range of physical and mental activities. Bird Monitoring outings are listed in the Seasonal Program & Event Guide.

Bicycling

Bicycle riding may be enjoyed on the loop trail at Riverbend Recreation Area. Riverside Park, Centennial Park, and River Landings provide access to the Blanchard River Greenway Trail.

Download the Findlay & Hancock Bicycling Guide here.

Camping

A camping getaway is a great way to unwind and reconnect with friends and family. The Campground located at Riverbend Recreation Area offers four tent camping sites. Each camping site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Waste water drains, trash receptacles and a barrel containing non-potable water with a bucket for extinguishing campfires are located along the edge of the woods.

Waterless restrooms and a drinking fountain are available in the Big Oaks Activity Area. All potable and non-potable water is available on a seasonal basis only. Rental is $15 per site, per night, with eight people per campsite. The cost to reserve the entire campground for camping or special events is $60

Cross-country Ski & Snowshoe

Winter is a great time to explore the outdoors. Both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing provide great workouts and are far more affordable and accessible than their downhill cousin. You’ll enjoy another full season of outdoor recreation on a variety of Hancock Park District trails.

As part of our Leisure Education Initiative, the Hancock Park District conducts Beginner Cross-country Ski Workshops that cover the basic fundamentals, including proper use of equipment and how to glide, climb hills, stand up on skis, turn around, and get into the rhythm. Workshops are subject to proper snow and weather conditions.

Hancock Park District’s Leisure Education Initiative involves a series of outdoor recreation skills instructional courses that introduce outdoor recreation activities, teach fundamental skills and encourage participation in outdoor recreation over the course of a lifetime.

Raccoon Run Winter Sports Center, located at Riverbend Recreation Area in Shelter 3, rents cross-country skis and snowshoes during good weather and snow conditions, weekends and holidays. Group outings can be arranged, for times other than public openings, through the Hancock Park District Administrative Office.

Disc Golf

An 18-hole disc golf course is available at Riverbend Recreation Area, near Shelter #3 in the Big Oaks area. Public programs on instruction and tournaments are held throughout the year for all levels of experience.

Click here to download a map and scorecard for the Disc Golf Course. 

Hiking & Walking

A walk through a stunning landscape not only calms your nerves but improves your spirits. Being in the majesty of nature works wonders for stress relief. And people who walk on a regular basis enjoy better overall health, markedly less stress and are more energetic in general.

The Hancock Park District has a variety of trails for walking and hiking located throughout the Hancock Park System.

Horseback Riding

Find companionship and solace while developing better reflexes and coordination on horseback. Designated horseback riding trails have been established at Litzenberg Memorial Woods and Riverbend Recreation Area.

As part of our Leisure Education Initiative, the Hancock Park District also partners with the University of Findlay’s James L. Child, Jr. Equestrian Complex and their associates to offer a hands-on Horseback Riding Program for beginners. Instructional content covers basic horse care and safety (feeding, catching a horse in a stall, putting on a halter, leading a horse, and grooming), basic tacking up and riding skills (mounting, dismounting, walking, stopping, guiding, jogging, and loping), bathing the horse, cleaning the saddle, and an advanced riding demonstration at which time other styles of riding are covered.

Hancock Park District’s Leisure Education Initiative involves a series of outdoor recreation skills instructional courses that introduce outdoor recreation activities, teach fundamental skills, and encourage participation in outdoor recreation over the course of a lifetime.

Hunting

Residents and landowners of Hancock County have the opportunity to participate in the Hancock Park District’s Hunting-with-Permission Lottery program provided in cooperation with Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Hunting at Litzenberg Memorial Woods occurs during a three-month period, from November through January.

Additional information about the Hunting-with-Permission Lottery program can be obtained by contacting the Hancock Park District at 419-425-7275.

Geocaching/Letterboxing

geocaching_pic

Park visitors are welcome to participate in “Geocaching” and “Letter Boxing” activities in the Hancock Park District. A PERMIT/APPLICATION FORM is now required to hide a cache in any HPD park area in order to limit the impact on native plants and animals in certain management areas. Application forms can be downloaded from the HPD website or can be obtained at the HPD office.

Old Millstream Scenic Byway

Hancock County and Putnam County

Sawmills, gristmills, and waterpower shaped a region for Native Americans and settlers and carved an area out of the Ohio wilderness bounded by rivers and the Great Black Swamp. As history tells it, the earliest known settler of Hancock County was a Frenchman by the name of Jean Jacques Blanchard who arrived in 1769. In 1908, William “Tell” Taylor wrote “Down by the Old Mill Stream” while sitting on the banks of the Blanchard River. Life prospered from the river, villages and cities grew, and transportation moved people and goods to build the economy. Today, the Old Mill Stream Scenic Byway extends 52 miles through Hancock and Putnam counties, while showcasing the Blanchard River, natural resources, and parks and recreation with a nice blend of cultural and historic attractions along the way.

Recent Park News

  • Plein Air Gatherings
  • Summer Camps
  • Litzenberg Memorial Woods – Public Notice
  • Now Hiring
  • Habitat Restoration at Hancock Park District

Hancock Parks

  • Aeraland Recreation Area
  • Blanchard River Nature Preserve
  • Blue Rock Nature Preserve
  • Centennial Park
  • Conservation Areas
  • Eastpoint Area
  • Great Karg Well Historical Site
  • Hancock County Community Parks
  • Jackson, Liberty and Blanchard Landings
  • Litzenberg Memorial Woods
  • Oakwoods Nature Preserve
  • River Landings
  • Riverbend Recreation Area
  • Riverside Park Waterfront
  • Waterfalls Area

EVENTS

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Hancock Park District

Hancock Park District

Check out a full listing of programs, rental information and park facilities at www.HancockParks.com

Hancock Park District

22 hours ago

Hancock Park District
10am - 11am tomorrow at Litzenberg Memorial Woods! ... See MoreSee Less

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Hancock Park District

1 week ago

Hancock Park District
Registration is open until 1 PM tomorrow, March 15th! ... See MoreSee Less

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Hancock Park District

2 weeks ago

Hancock Park District
The Hancock Park District is accepting applications for Park Manager Central. The base pay for this position is $18.54 an hour. Benefits include health, dental and life insurance; paid vacation, holidays and sick leave; one paid personal day each year after six months of employment; and a pension plan through the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). A complete job description and application are available online at HancockParks.com. An application along with a cover letter and résumé are required and must be mailed to or dropped off at Hancock Park District, 1424 East Main Cross Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840 (Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or emailed to hpdparks@hancockparks.com or faxed to 419-423-5811. This position is open until filled. The first review of applications will be on Monday, April 3, 2023. The Hancock Park District is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. ... See MoreSee Less

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CONTACT HANCOCK PARKS

HANCOCK PARK DISTRICT OFFICE
1424 East Main Cross Street
Findlay, OH 45840

419-425-7275

hpdparks@hancockparks.com

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Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

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