The six-mile trail stretches from the University of Toledo campus to King Road in Sylvania Township. It offers a lush greenway through woodland, pasting meadows and wetlands. The level, paved path is suitable for joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters, and can easily accommodate wheelchairs.
The trail has several neighborhood access points, a trail connecting to the Wildwood Preserve Metropark trail system, and designated roadway connections to Ottawa Park, Olander Park and Westfield Shoppingtown at Franklin Park.
The University/Parks Trail is owned by Lucas County and maintained by Metroparks, the University of Toledo and the City of Toledo. Metroparks rangers and, in some sections, local jurisdictions patrol the trail.
Mileage: 6.3 miles, one-way
Parking:
Tam-O-Shanter
McCord Road
Wildwood Preserve
Ottawa Hills Municipal Building
University of Toledo Southwest Academic Center
Ottawa Park
http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/content/files/Trails/university_trails.pdf
Secor Park
Secor Park is one of the least used parks for running but can be considered a hidden gem because of this. The park has one main trail (~3.4 miles mainly consisting of crushed gravel) with several smaller off chutes to run. As Secor Park is kept as a 'Natural Park', chemicals are not used to control the bug population and mosquitoes can be overwhelming at times.
Trail map => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/SECOR.gif
Directions => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=secor&display=1
Oak Openings Preserve
Oak Openings is the largest and most diverse of all the Toledo area Metroparks. As Oak Openings has several trails that stretch over a good distance this is a great place for a long run any time of the year. The Mallard Lake Area is the recommended place to park for access to the majority of the trails.
Trail map => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=oakopenings&display=2
Directions => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=oakopenings&display=1
Pearson
The only Metropark on the East side of Toledo, Pearson provides a 3 mile outer loop trail consisting of crushed gravel as well as several forested trails on the interior.
Trail map => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/pearson.gif
Directions => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=pearson&display=1
Side Cut
Located along the Maumee river in the City of Maumee, OH. Side Cut offers trails of soft grass as well as some crushed gravel. The western area of the park offers a 1.6 mile loop used by the Thursday night's group for repeat laps.
Trail map => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/sidecut.pdf
Directions => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=sidecut&display=1
Providence/Farnsworth/Bend View
Together these parks combine to make a nice scenic run along the banks of the Maumee River. Starting from one end park and running to the other end park you will enjoy ~9 miles of crush gravel and shade.
Trail map Providence => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/providence.gif
Trail map Farnsworth => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/farnsworth.gif
Directions to Providence => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=providence&display=1
Directions to Farnsworth => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=farnsworth&display=1
Swan Creek
Located in the heart of South Toledo this park features soft wooded trails along the stream as well as paved trails throughout the park. Expect to see many deer in the fields as you run by.
Trail map => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/swancreek.gif
Directions => http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/maps/maps.asp?id=swancreek&display=1
Ottawa Park
Located near the University of Toledo in west Toledo, Ottawa Park is maintained by the city. The park has one main trail that runs the perimeter around the Ottawa Park golf course. This path is ~3 miles long, paved, and 50% shaded by trees.
Directions
Hill Training
River Road between Perrysburg and Waterville
High Level Bridge
Ottawa Hills
Arboretum in Ann Arbor, MI
Fort Meigs, Perrysburg, OH
Pickney, MI (45 minute drive up 23)
