Park District

About Us

The Richland County Park District is dedicated to introducing and interpreting our region's natural heritage to the citizens of Richland County. Our goal is pursued by preserving and providing natural areas for people to experience, and by providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the rich diversity of life and habitats in our county. The Richland County Park District operates two facilities: The Gorman Nature Center and The Richland B&O Trail.

Gorman Nature Center
Featuring 130 acres of forests, fields, prairies, ponds and streams, the Center provides over four miles of public trails close to the population centers of Richland County. Families and individuals are welcome on the trails or in the Center's visitor center and picnic areas. The Gorman Nature Center naturalist staff sponsors weekly programs for the general public featuring a wide variety of hikes, field trips, lectures, slide programs and night sky programs. In addition, the Center offers daily programs for schools, youth groups, garden clubs, senior citizens and service clubs. Public programs are listed in the "Friends of the Nature Center Newsletter."

Richland B&O Trail
The Richland County Park District also operates the Richland B&O Trail, a public rail-trail built on the abandoned B&O railroad line. The 18.4-mile trail connects Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville and Butler and is used for bicycling, walking, jogging, in-line skating and nature study.