Findley State Park
| Findley State Park | |
|---|---|
 Lake view at Findley State Park. | |
  Location in Ohio  Findley State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Wellington, Ohio, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°08′N 82°13′W / 41.13°N 82.21°W |
| Area | 838 acres (339 ha) |
| Created | 1950 |
| Administered by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Ohio state park |
| Website | Findley State Park |
Findley State Park is an Ohio state park located in Wellington, a small village in northern Ohio, United States. It was originally known as the Findley State Forest. A dam forming a lake was completed in 1956.[1] The forest area became a state park in 1950, with a size of 838 acres (339 ha), after it was donated to Lorain County by Judge Guy B. Findley c. 1936.[2] Findley later served as the president of the Ohio Forestry Association and vice president of the American Forestry Association.[3]
History
Findley donated the lands to the state, with the condition that they would "forever be used exclusively as a state forest for the production of timber and for experiment with forestry projects."[4] The Cleveland Press later described it as "the judge's personal weapon in a long fight against juvenile delinquency".[5]
Between 1937 and 1939, the Civilian Conservation Corps planted approximately 200,000 trees inside the park.[6][7] Findley himself helped to plant trees, on his days off or after court sessions.[8] Later expansions to the park included an allocation of $150,00 from the state in 1963 for construction of campground amenities,[9] and funding for 150 new camp sites in 1968.[10]
State parks in Ohio, including Findley State Park, were shut down on September 7, 1971, due to a failure to pass a new budget. The closings were planned to be indefinite, until a budget had been reached.[11] This was unpopular, and a petition with over 19,000 signatures protesting the park closings was turned in a month later.[12] The governor rejected the petition, and his response was criticized for saying that Ohio was both a wealthy state but in need of a new tax.[13] The parks eventually reopened on November 5.[14]
Activities
The property offers hiking and mountain biking trails. It connects to the Buckeye Trail. There is also a 93 acres (38 ha) lake open to paddlecraft. It also has camping and an 18 hole disc golf course. Fishing, trapping, and waterfowl hinting are also offered. A visitor center and nature center offers seasonal programming. There are picnic tables, grills, shelter areas, and a 435 foot (133 m) swimming beach.[15] A map of the park is online.[16]
The park was formerly a hunting area, before protests by campers of squirrel hunting during the fall of 1966 leading to it being disallowed the next year.[17] As of 2026, hunting migratory waterfowl is permitted in some parts of the park, while deer, beaver, and otter hunting and trapping permission can be received via lottery.[15]
The Friends of Findley State Park, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2004 to help preserve and maintain the park.[18]
The park includes pine forest, hardwoods, and meadows.[19] An archery range was planned for the park in 2022.[20]
See also
References
- ^ Clarke, Ed (April 12, 1956). "New Lake Attraction at Findley Park". The Cleveland Press. p. 70. Retrieved February 3, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pollick, Steve (May 30, 1993). "Art Weber's new book combines fascinating anecdotes with practical information". The Blade. p. 52. Retrieved February 3, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "First Candidate For Supreme Court Judgeship Emerges". The Coshocton Tribune. January 3, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Give Forestry Reserve". The Plain Dealer. May 24, 1936. p. 41. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Judge Findley Retires to Study Law". The Cleveland Press. September 8, 1950. p. 4. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "History of Ohio State Forests". ohiodnr.gov. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- ^ Taylor, Orrin R. (April 11, 1979). "Mutterings..." Archbold Buckeye. p. 16. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Growing A Forest is Judge's Hobby". The Plain Dealer. November 28, 1937. p. 17. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown, Dave (August 8, 1963). "Findley State Park Expansion Due". The Cleveland Press. p. 46. Retrieved February 3, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Popularity Of Camping Grows; State Expanding Facilities". The Logan Daily News. January 11, 1968. p. 3. Retrieved February 3, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McCrary, Lacy (September 5, 1971). "What Ohio Park Closings Mean". The Akron Beacon Journal. pp. 1, 9. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Continued - Ohio Park Closings -- Here's What It Means To You
- ^ "Petition To 'Open' Parks Turned In". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. October 8, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Governor Replies To Buckalew". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. October 19, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lace, David (November 8, 1971). "Park Visitors Up Despite Cold". The Marion Star. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Findley State Park". Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
- ^ "Findley State Park map" (PDF).
- ^ Andres, Hank (November 15, 1967). "Hunting Interest on Wane as License Sales Decline". The Cleveland Press. p. 79. Retrieved February 3, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Home | Friends of Findley State Park". Friends of Findley.
- ^ "Walk into Wellness at Findley State Park Promotes Outdoor Recreation and Mental Health". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. September 17, 2025.
- ^ "Archery range coming to Findley State Park in Wellington". May 27, 2022.