Milford Center Prairie Non-Dedicated Natural Area (Blog Hike #155)

Trail: (unnamed)

Hike Location: Milford Center Prairie Non-Dedicated Natural Area

Geographic Location: southwest of Marysville, OH (40.15771, -83.45727)

Length: 2 miles round-trip

Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)

Dates Hiked: July 2004, July 2016

Overview: A sunny walk along an old railroad grade that is now a power line right-of-way.

Preserve Information: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/milford-center-prairie-nondedicated-natural-area

Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=175402
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Marysville, head south on SR 4 to the town of Milford Center.  Continue south on SR 4 for 1.8 miles past Milford Center to Connor Rd.  Turn right on Connor Rd.  The preserve is located 0.5 miles west on Connor Rd. on the left.  Park in a small parking area beside the nature preserve sign, making sure not to block access to the surrounding farm fields.

The hike: How many times do you get to view a tallgrass prairie while having the ease of walking on an old railroad grade?  At Milford Center Railroad Prairie, that is exactly what you get.  This preserve gives you an unusual look at the tallgrass prairie that once covered a significant portion of Ohio. 

            Once part of a railroad connecting Springfield and Marysville, this strip of land proved perfect for use by the Dayton Power and Light Company once the railroad shut down.  While still used for that purpose, the path has been under the management of the Ohio Division of Parks since 1987.  Today, a 1-mile mown-grass trail allows hikers to access the route once traversed by steam locomotives.

Trailhead: Milford Center Prairie

            The trail heads south from the parking area, away from the road.  Almost immediately, you will cross Treacle Creek on the old railroad bridge.  This is a linear hike, so you will return across this bridge in a few minutes.  Be sure to wear insect repellent in season, as mosquitoes were particularly plentiful when I hiked this trail on a warm July evening.

Treacle Creek

            The trail is very level for its entire length with active farm fields visible on either side.  Between the trail and the fields lies the interesting, narrow strip of tallgrass prairie.  Odds are you will see butterflies, rabbits, dragonflies, and other insects along this trail, as well as your share of birds; I saw a hummingbird among others on my visit.  There are some berry bushes along the trail, but mostly the prairie consists of bluestem, prairie dock, catchfly, goldenrod, and coneflower.  Just keep your eyes open, and who knows what you will see. 

Hiking through the prairie corridor

            The trail passes between six pairs of power line poles, so you can track your progress by counting the poles.  The trail ends at the junction of the power line right-of-way and SR 4 one mile south of the trailhead.  Do not continue across SR 4, as this is private property.  Turn around and retrace your steps north for 1 mile under the power lines to complete the hike.