Huron River Greenway MetroPark

The Huron River Greenway Trail is an 6 1/4 mile long, north-south linear park which runs from downtown Milan (approximately a 4 mile unimproved rail bed trail to Mason Road) and then to Huron (approximately a 2 3/4 mile improved limestone trail) along the east bank of the Huron River constructed on an inactive Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway corridor. Our photos show both trails and the scenic area beside the trails. When completed, the Huron River Greenway trail will provide a walking, jogging and bicyclist connection from the shores of Lake Erie all the way to the future North Coast Inland Trail at Norwalk, Ohio. The Huron River Greenway helps protect the many species of wildlife, flowers, trees and birds along with preserving for future generations the many existing historical features of Milan and the Erie/Huron County Firelands area. 

A panorama of the Kara A. Deering Memorial Scenic Overlook

The Mason Road  to Dupont Marsh State Nature Preserve (off River Road at the water tower) which constitutes the improved north end of the Huron River Greenway trail is approximately a 2 ¾ mile compacted limestone trail that runs directly beside the Huron River and is fully open to the public  This scenic route (parts of which were once the towpath for schooners traveling on the Huron River to the Milan Canal) features the Cedar Bay Bridge, the Kara A. Deering Memorial Bridge and scenic overlook (shown above), the Zoe Melady Memorial Bridge and the Ohio Historical Marker for the "Idaho" schooner site. The wide, level path is senior's friendly and suitable for walking, jogging or bicycling. The Huron River Greenway trailheads on both the north and south side of Mason Road have stone parking areas. The Dupont trailhead has a large stoned parking area for cars and the entrance trails are well marked.

Huron River Greenway - Seniors Walking Guide

This is a linear park so, unlike most park trails, these trails do NOT circle back to the starting point. The Huron side of the trail often runs beside the river and is very scenic. There are a variety of crossings, wood bridges and benches along this trail with a parking area at each end of this trail. As with all walking tails, a walking stick or cane may be useful for seniors. If walking alone, please carry a cell phone. The HRG is a great park for walking, jogging or bicycling but never go further than the distance you are prepared to return to your starting point. In theory, these trails are handicap accessible however, because of the various surfaces of the trails, there are some limitations on all  trails depending upon the specific handicap requirements.  Also, as a point of reference, there are old railroad mile markers along the side of the trail and the 9 mile marker on trail #3 is about halfway from both the Mason Road lot and the DuPont Marsh parking area which means it is about 1 1/2 miles from each parking lot. I would also strongly advise you to use Off, Cutter or some other bug repellent, during the summer season, when walking the Greenway or any other trail in this area.

Click Here For Floral Photos from the Huron River Greenway

Click Here To Visit Erie County MetroParks Site

Click Here To Visit the Friends of Erie MetroParks Site