DESCRIPTION

The trail covered here is the Multi-Use trail in Blacklick Woods Metropark. I don't know if it is officially a part of the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail as yet but when the trail gets up this far, I'm sure that some or all of it will be incorporated into it. Certainly the parks the run along the Blacklick Creek.

The multi-use (I prefer "recreational") trail is hardpack dirt and fine gravel over most of it's length though there are short sections of asphalt where the trail ramps up or down near the creek. It is wide, perhaps 15 feet, through it's most used portion. The trail starts at the pedestrian/bicycle entrance off Livingston Ave (There is an asphalt bike path which runs along the park boundary on Livingston as part of that roadway's walkway system.) It has a short asphalt section which arrives across from the Ash Grove Picnic Area parking lot and, just before you cross the road, the gravel trail begins to the right. There is a stretching and exercise area a little ways down. The trail is wide here and parallels the main park access road for about a half mile and there are other access points across from the other parking areas. At about three quarters of a mile, the trail continues south into a more wooded area and then turns to roughly parallel I-70 which forms the south border of the park. It turns east and comes out into an long meadow passing through a prairie grove and near the Nature Center parking area. There is access from the parking area and another stretching and exercise area here as well. The trail arrives at a fork (there is a water fountain and benches) where it loops back on itself. Going to the right fork, the trail passes through heavier woods and open meadows as is moves away from I-70 (you can't see it but you can hear it) and along the Blacklick Creek as it turns north. The trail drops fairly sharply (this is one of the asphalt sections) and rises and falls somewhat through the loop. It turns with a bend in the river and continues west back toward the fork. It rises somewhat sharply a couple of times--again with short asphalt sections. The trail drifts south, passing, again, through both woods and meadows until it links on itself.

There are in-ground stone markers indicating the mile and half-mile points. The trail mileage, 4.1M, is measured from the park entrance, to and around the loop and back to the park entrance.  The hardpack surface is forgiving for running but firm enough for bicycles as well. On the day that I was on the trail, there were few tread marks but lots of walkers and runners.

MAP

(METROPARK ON-LINE VERSION)

The map below was assembled from photography about 1-3 years old. There has not been any significant change in the terrain in that time. The map is half sized to reduce page load time. The thumbnail to the right is a FULL SIZE version. The file may be very large. The thumbnail to the left will bring up the current Metro Park on-line map

There are 4 other nature trails in the park which I will cover at a future time.

PHOTOS

The asphalt trail that borders the park along Livingston Ave.	The pedestrian/bicycle entrance to the park. The automobile entrance is a little farther down.	Another view. The asphalt path continues east to the Golf Course entrance and ends just this side of the Blacklick Creek.	The access path meets the gravel multi-use trail (to the right side) The left fork crosses the main road and goes to the Ash Grove picnic area.	The start of the gravel trail. One of the two stretching areas is just to the left.	Another view.
The trail is marked with stone in-ground markers at the mile and half-mile points.	The trail in this area of the park is mostly open with occasional woodsier stretches.	The access from the Nature Center parking area. (Around the mile and 1/4 point.)	In the southern end, there are some large open meadows.	Around the 1 1/2 mile point, the trail splits and loops back on itself.	This section has some deeper woods and steeper grades. (southern side)
The downhill. The surface turns to asphalt for a short stretch. (southern side)	One of the more open segments. (southern side)	At the far end of the loop, the trail runs near the west side of the Blacklick Creek.	On the way back there are rises and asphalt segments. (northern side)	The transition from asphalt to gravel. (northern side.)	The trail comes back to itself. To complete the 4.1 mile length you have to double back to the start. (right side)

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06/02/2008