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THE ALUM CREEK GREENWAY | NORTH: NEXT SECTION | GOING NORTH: NEXT SECTION (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) | 
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GOING EAST: TRAIL CONNECTION |
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DESCRIPTIONThe various Metro Parks in our area have trails of varying lengths and uses. (See: Metro Park Trails. Until fairly recently, these trails were mostly self-contained within the parks. Of late, the Metro Parks folks are working hard to thread trails between and through parks as part of the effort to create and extend, in conjunction with CRPD and others, these great riparian trails. Three Creeks Metro Park has been a part of that extension for some time. 4.4 miles of the Alum Creek Trail wind through its various sections and connect, at the Confluence Area, to the Blacklick trail which then extends eastward.
Until fairly recently, this section of the Alum Creek ended in the north end of the park with the Oxbow loop. As of late summer '07, the trail section being built south from Livingston Ave has been completed and there is continuous trail with short crosses from Airport Rd near Ohio Dominican University the north end of Three Creeks. Additionally, a spur trail from the north part of the park has been built to Alum Creek Dr just south of SR 104.
It is now also possible, by utilizing the route of the Downtown Connector and the I 670 Bike Trail to travel from downtown to Three Creeks via bike or foot.
For the purposes of this site, I am breaking the trail down into four parts in order from north to south: Alum Creek Dr to Oxbow Loop; Oxbow to Sycamore Fields; Sycamore to Madison Mills; and Madison Mills to the southern end of the Alum Creek trail where it meets the Blacklick at the Confluence Trails area.
Just a note: The trail in Three Creeks has mile post markers (no half-mile stripes though there are large yellow paint dots on the asphalt at those points) which begin at the southern end and run north. There are current 4 miles posted.
1. From Alum Creek Dr: The trail entrance is located on the north-east side of Performance Parkway (signalized) at the intersection with Alum Creek Dr. The trail is a straight run of new asphalt beside the mostly closed off dead-end Performance Parkway. At the end of the stub road, the trail crosses and arcs around and across the Creek via a trail bridge. There is intersects (2.) the Alum Creek Trail coming up from the underpass of SR 104. Continuing the spur trail meanders into the park and reaches the north west corner of the Oxbow loop in a short run.
The Oxbow loop is a large (a little less than a mile) loop in the north end of the park. It is marked (at the bottom fork) as being counter-clockwise travel only for cycles--apparently not so for foot traffic. So on entering the loop, cyclists need to turn right.
On entering the Oxbow loop, as noted all cycle traffic must go right (counter-clockwise). From the spur, the trail drops somewhat as it gently arcs to the left through a heavily wooded area. At the bottom, it rejoins itself at the 4.5 post point. You can continue on the loop by going left. The loop snakes through the woods, rolling and rising a bit and passing mile marker 4.0 in the process. Eventually, at it's northernmost point, it breaks out into a brief clearing with US 33 adjacent. It turns south and begins to drop and you will encounter the spur to Alum Creek Dr. again.
To continue south, use the right fork. The trail passes through a short segment of woods and then into open glades. It dips and rises before passing MP 3.0 and reaching Watkins Rd. The intersection is clearly marked which is good because to the right (west) there is a low rise which makes the crossing blind to oncoming traffic. Given the speeds that some folks use on this road, it is well to be careful crossing.
Once across the trail skirts this enormous meadow with the Creek and the woods to the right (west) side. You'll see the Smith Farms park complex to the left (east) and US 33 and I-270. Around the 2.7 mile point (unmarked) you will intersect the connector to the Sycamore Fields parking area. Go left to Smith Farms or right (west) to the Sycamore Fields area. The area is reached over a wooden creek bridge and there is a loop trail near the spacious parking areas.
Keepin south, the trail continues to follow the western edge of this enormous meadow, curving slowly west (right) until you encounter a fork. A narrower unstriped path will branch left and the MP 2.0 will be on your left at the break. The main trail (striped) continues around the west side of Heron Pond. It's nicely picturesque and, as you approach the Heron Ponds Area parking, the trail will fork again--this time both options will be striped--bear right. (I had the distinct feeling of going the "wrong way" but go right.) The left fork is just the loop trail around the other side of the pond. The trail will turn a little sharper right and run to a trail bridge over the Alum Creek. You'll pass some of the recreational fields of Heron Ponds before crossing.
Once across the creek, the trail turns and falls a little to the left before flattening and straightening out for a run to Williams Rd. It underpasses the road (watch for the flood markers) and when you rise up, the parking and recreational facilities of Madison Mills will be to your right. There is another small loop trail which takes off near the basketball court.
Once past the Madison Mills parking areas, the trail arcs left (west) through an open glade and meanders through some light woods before dipping down and passing under the twin overpasses of I-270. The contrast between the quiet slow pace of trail traffic and the high-speed vehicular traffic passing overhead is worth noting. Once below the freeway, the trail passes through light forested sections with a slight rolling character and more open glades. To the left (west) note the Confluence Trail, an undeveloped path that hugs the Alum Creek for about a mile before rejoining the main trail. There is a nice view of the confluence of the three creeks from this trail. It's not visible from the main trail. Along this section you will pass the 1.0 Mile Post.
After some wooded sections, the trail passes by twin ponds which are marked as aquatic study areas. There are some open areas that afford nice views and the wildlife is fairly abundant. The trail curves around the lower of the two and snakes through the woods, rejoins with the Confluence trail and passes over the Big Walnut Creek. It crosses that stream over a longish wood deck and metal bridge. On the other side, it curves left (west) and passes through some light rolling woody area. The Bluebird undeveloped trail entries which trace the Blacklick side of the confluence can be seen on the left side of the trail. From there it reaches the Confluence Area parking lots. There are short connector trails to the main area where there are year-round comfort facilities. Water is also available at the rest room building. Staying on the trail, you will reach the Alum Creek Trail 0.0 Mile Post. Straight ahead, the trail continues and turns into the Blacklick Trail which has it's own Milepost 0.0 about 50-60 yards away. There is also a small loop trail in the area and several connectors.
About the polar opposite of running in Highbanks Metropark. Though there are some forested sections, it is a park that has wonderful broad vistas, open and a mostly flat wide trail. I would think that, in the upper reaches of the park, roller blading would be very popular given the relative evenness of the terrain. Also, unlike some of the parks closer in, and though there are spots near busy roads, it's really a quiet (except for chirring crickets and tweeting birds) run. The numerous access points means that you can shape the run pretty much anyway you want. Farther down, below Madison Mills, the country closes in a bit and it is more of a foresty run although the cover is not so thick as some other trails. My experience is that the wildlife is far more abundant in this section than elsewhere in the park or, for that matter, most other places listed on this site.
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| Metroparks Map |
The Alum Creek is on the left, the Big Walnut on the right-center and the Blacklick to the far right entering the Big Walnut just before it joins the Alum.
06/02/2008
