Crane Creek State Park

Crane Creek Park encompasses a total area of 79 acres of what was once a state park before it was handed over to the Division of Wildlife as part of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Refuge. The park is much the same as it was before the main difference being that the picnic areas and swimming beach have currently been closed.

The park is located on the shores of Lake Erie, providing a coastal environment that is a refuge for hundreds of species of birds including the magnificent bald eagle, waterfowl, herons, gulls, and warblers. The variety of bird species makes Crane Creek State Park a birdwatcher’s paradise. To get to the park, just travel 16 miles from Toledo, which is a city at the western tip of Lake Erie and in the north-central part of the state of Ohio.

As for the topography and distinctive features of the park, the place is mostly marshlands and beach area. The Crane Creek was once a part of the Great Black Swamp, that almost totally disappeared due to extensive lumbering and drainage in a bid to create fertile agricultural land. The park gets its name from the nearby Crane Creek that flows into Lake Erie.

If you decide to visit this stunning park, you can bring your dog with you for fun, exercise, or relaxation. Just be sure to be aware of some simple rules that will prevent any inconvenience to you, other visitors to the park and to other animals. Some of the rules that you must adhere to include keeping your dog on a leash no longer than six feet long, avoid letting your dog wander into park buildings and other areas that are not designated as pet-friendly areas, and it is a good idea to carry some poop bags with you so that you can clean up after your pooch.