This highly diverse 27.6-acre property is located at the intersection of Bunkerhill North and Tugend Roads in Worthington Township. The park's hilly, rolling terrain includes 95 feet of elevation change and is the result of till left behind by historic glaciers as they passed through Ohio. The preserve offers visitors multiple scenic vistas along nearly 1.75 miles of nature trails.
Over 469 plant species, 138 bird species, 45 butterfly species, 25 mammal species, 6 reptile species and 14 amphibian species have been found on the property. This high species diversity results from the variety of habitats present in close proximity on these 27 acres. Visitors can experience 12 acres of tallgrass prairie, 8 acres of maturing woods (no trails yet) with ravines and a sandstone outcropping, 2 intermittent streams, multiple moist sedge meadows, a small seep-fed pond, pine woods, shrub thickets, and successional meadows.
Tugend Prairie Preserve is a "constructed" nature sanctuary - a fine example of what can be achieved over time through patient, thoughtful landscaping with native plant species and diligent land management. Except for the 8-acre woods, the entire property was crop field as recently as 2001, with all of the other habitats and trails being added by its previous owners over a span of 16 years.
A small gravel parking area off Tugend Road 0.2-mile west and a 1/4-mile gravel lane off of Bunkerhill Road provide visitor access. The Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail (a rustic, back-country hiking trail open to foot travel only) runs along the preserve's western border and can be accessed via 3 trail spurs. Tugend Prairie Preserve is open to the public during daylight hours only.
NOTE: When accessing via the gravel lane, please drive in the wheel tracks as the ground on either side is soft much of the year.
3583 Tugend Rd
Butler, OH 44822
Every Day: Dawn - Dusk