Fairfield County Park District (FCPD) is proud to own eight of the county’s seventeen original covered bridges! They are important historical features that draw people to our parks and to visit Fairfield County.
Hannaway (photo at right) and Johnson (above) covered bridges are both in Two Glaciers Park, south of Lancaster proper.
Both were renovated in 1996. The Hannaway again in 2017 after a large tree carried by floodwaters crashed into it.
Hartman No 2 is in Lockville Canal Park in Carroll. Mink Hollow bridge is in Arney Run Park in Hocking Township. The bridge at Rock Mill is known even in other countries and is a major draw to the area. Those are maintained regularly.
Hartman No 2 Covered Bridge Mink Hollow Covered Bridge
A powerful storm hit the area of Misty Valley Park in July 2019, damaging two bridges there. A tree and several heavy limbs came down on the Shade bridge and hit the tiny Hummel bridge. The storm caused major structural damage to the already-weak structures. Only a cable attached to Hummel prevents its collapse.
Specialized skills are needed to properly repair old covered bridges. Structures that are open to the public must meet standards stricter than those on private properties. The cost of renovating a bridge like the Shade to those standards is about half of our annual budget! We were obligated to finish construction of Fetter-Hood Barn and to budget money for a new ADA-compatible playground and the soon-to-be-built permanent restroom at Smeck Park (Spring-Summer 2022). Another commitment was to get Mambourg Park construction underway – an entry road, parking lots, electric and gas services, development of trails, and renovation of the nature center. This year, a picnic shelter will be built there and permanent wayfinding signs for the trails installed. Repairs to Shade and Hummel had to wait.
Shade Covered Bridge, March 2022
The bad news is Storm Landon hit the area hard last month (February 3-5). Heavy ice and snow inflicted irreparable damage to Shade Covered Bridge. On March 6, it fully collapsed. FCPD staff and members of Fairfield County Board of Park Commissioners discussed several options. A request for sealed bids to remove the structures has been published. It is our hope parts of the bridges will be used elsewhere in Fairfield County.
Roley School covered bridge (at left) is the one that used to sit at the entrance of the fairgrounds. After a 2016 windstorm knocked it down, it was given to FCPD and put in storage.
The good news is that plans are being developed to use Roley as an observation deck on a trail overlooking the heron rookery at the new Wagner Preserve (not yet open to the public).
Ruffner Covered Bridge in Perry County, 2017
More good news is that we are working with a recently organized committee that will be raising money to bring Ruffner Covered Bridge from Perry County back to Fairfield and rebuild it in Sensory Trail Park!
Historical Bridges Road Trip
Want to see the five bridges that are open to the public plus the unique WPA Pedestrian Bridge in Cross Mound Park?
Check out our Historical Bridges Road Trip. It is a self-guided driving tour that takes about three to four hours to enjoy.
Want more adventure?
Wahkeena Nature Preserve opens today, March 16, for the 2022 season. Trails at Mambourg Park and Smeck Park are ready to burst any day now with gorgeous wildflowers. On May 4, Rock Mill opens for tours. And, don't miss a
Conversation About Trees
April 14, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
The Tabernacle at Coyote Run
Pickerington
Make your reservation now! Coyote Run and Fairfield County Park District are pleased to welcome Dr. Joan Maloof for a conversation about recognizing and protecting old-growth forests!
Dr. Maloof is a Professor Emeritus at Salisbury University, where she taught Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies. She has published numerous research articles, book, and founded Old-Growth Forest Network to preserve, protect and promote the country’s few remaining stands of old-growth forest.
To get full details about this program and to make your reservation, visit Conversation About Trees .
Get Out to Explore & Discover! Visit fairfieldcountyparks.org.
