CRAWFORD PARK DISTRICT
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Sears Woods State Nature Preserve

1486 Mt Zion Rd, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Map / Directions
Not just a gem for Crawford County, but for all of Ohio, Sears Woods is a great example of what a mature forest looks like. Situated 1.5 miles southwest of Bucyrus, Sears Woods spans 137 acres.  Its 1-mile loop trail meanders through a mature upland forest, upon bluffs overlooking the Sandusky River, and winds its way through old field habitat. Red blazes on trees along the trail assist hikers in navigating through the forest on the correct path.

Sears Woods has an abundant display of wildflowers, especially in spring.  They blanket the forest floor under a canopy of towering maples, oaks, cherries, and hickories.  The trees themselves are giants, relics of days gone by when large trees would have been the norm.  The forest provides many spectacular views during the fall season, as the colors mix and mingle, offering photographers excellent shots.  Sounds of woodpeckers in the winter months can be heard as they battle squirrels for nuts; deer flee from view as their white tail disappears into the forest.  Chorusing Wood Frogs call from the ephemeral pools in late winter.  Flocks of migrating songsters – warblers, thrushes, vireos, tanagers – work their way through Sears Woods in the spring, looking for caterpillars to sustain their energy.  Some bird species stay and can be heard through the spring and into the summer, just as the singing insects begin to fill the air with their songs. 

Sears Woods is jointly owned with the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.  The Park District maintains a management agreement with them to ensure the use of Sears Woods as a public State Nature Preserve.  It was purchased in 1986 from Paul Sears (1891-1990), the well-known ecologist and conservationist from Crawford County.  
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A red blaze marks a tree to assist hikers in navigating trails at Sears Woods.

Become a Friend of the
​Crawford Park District!

Friends of the CPD is dedicated to helping the Crawford Park District achieve its goals of continuing nature conservation and education in Crawford County.  Financial contributions by our Friends members helped build the Lowe-Volk Nature Center, preserve over 300 acres of parks, support community nature programs and develop an Astronomy Club!  The groups we serve in our community include day cares, public & private schools, home-school groups, assisted living centers, 4-H and Scout clubs, civic clubs and more!  Crawford Park District oversees the care and continued development of 6 public parks and nature preserves in Crawford County.  We appreciate your continued support and welcome you as a Friend of the CPD!  Please click on the DONATE tab to give!  Thank you for your generosity!
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Crawford Park District
2401 SR 598
Crestline, OH 44827
419-683-9000
​
Business Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 4:00pm 
​Sunday - 12:00pm - 4:00pm
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  • HOME
  • About
    • CPD Park Rules
    • Employment with the CPD
  • Parks
    • Heckert Nature Preserve >
      • Heckert Map/Directions
    • Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve >
      • Daughmer Directions
    • Lowe-Volk Park >
      • LVP Map/Directions
      • Nature Center
      • Nature Playscape
    • Sandusky Headwaters Preserve
    • Sandusky Wildlife Area >
      • SWA Map/Directions
      • SWA Aerial
    • Sears Woods State Nature Preserve >
      • Sears Map/Directions
    • Unger Park >
      • Unger Map/Directions
  • Programs & Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Educator Resources
    • Junior Naturalist
    • Nature Camp
  • Conservation
    • Natural Resources >
      • Current Issues >
        • Emerald Ash Borer
        • Beech Leaf Disease
      • Report a Land Concern
    • Flora & Fauna
    • Wildlife Emergency
  • Gallery
    • Animal Extravaganza 2023
    • Living History 2023
    • Mud Day 2023
    • Halloween Family Fun Night 2023
    • Daughmer Savannah Controlled Burn
    • Spring Wildflowers
    • Fall Color
    • Winter Scenes
  • Newsletters
  • Archives
    • Photo Archive
    • Stormwater Demo Site
    • Quarry book available
    • Surveying & Monitoring >
      • Bluebird Monitoring
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Citizen Science