Fall Color Hike at AOA’s Poston Preserve, Alum Creek Conservation Corridor, Morrow County

Enjoy the colors and crisp cool weather this post-Halloween weekend – hike AOA’s beautiful Poston Preserve along Alum Creek.  The older growth forests that cover much of the site will be decked out for fall on what will likely be the peak color weekend this fall.  This spectacular property contains extensive riparian bottomland corridors and steep shale bluffs that line the creeks. While there, learn more about the rewilding and planting of resistant Chestnut, Ash and Elm trees on the former fields being carried out by AOA in collaboration with other partners.

AOA has purchased several parcels totaling ~225 acres of the over 400-acre farm site from the Poston family, who want the property to be permanently conserved as a natural area.  AOA will purchase another 178 acres later this year, creating a Preserve of over 400 contiguous acres.

Located on the Delaware / Morrow County line, this is the first site conserved by AOA in the beautiful upper Alum Creek corridor as part of our watershed and water quality protection mission.

The Fall Color hike and other AOA events are free and open to the public.  This event will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on some slopes.

Time:  Meet at 1:00 p.m. to take advantage of the afternoon sunshine.  This hike will last approximately two hours.  Participants can stay as long as you like and explore the Preserve.

What to Bring:  Binoculars to view the many birds and wildlife.  Pack drinks and/or snacks of your choice.  Bug repellant is recommended.

Location:  Poston Preserve is located along Alum Creek north of Alum Creek Lake and Kilbourne, on the Morrow – Delaware County line – see link below.  We will rendezvous off the old farm drive on Morrow County Road 24 / Worthington-New Haven Road.  There is not a Google Map address for the drive but it is located directly across the road from 161 Worthington-New Haven Road, Ashley.  We will park in the grassy area along the drive.  Look for AOA signs, cones and staff at the entry drive.

Google Map Link – to House across the Road from the entry drive:            https://www.google.com/maps/place/166+County+Rd+24,+Ashley,+OH+43003/@40.3652069,-82.9193833,297m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838ff6f9bab384d:0xb8f4493406a50785!8m2!3d40.3652059!4d-82.9187396!16s%2Fg%2F11sbyt__6r?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D