Scavenger Hunts
Scioto Park Scavenger Hunt
Scioto Park was acquired by the Village of Dublin in 1978. It originally had a swimming pool, changing house, shelter house, and restrooms. Start your hunt in the lower parking area next to the middle shelter house, (where the changing house once stood).
1. This structure helps visitors get from one side to another. It keeps feet dry and crosses over something flowing. It’s a short one, so pay attention or you’ll miss it!
Answer: Bridge. There’s a small foot bridge that crosses the water. It was placed to help those using the north shelter house get there safely. A lot of small critters called macro invertebrates live in our streams. Snails, insects and crayfish are all macro invertebrates. Stop and gently turn over a rock. Do you see any? The presence of diverse macro invertebrates tells the health of a waterway. Please remember to gently replace the rock. It’s somebody’s home!
2. Listen! What do you hear? The second thing you’re looking for seems to flow from nowhere. It comes right out of the hillside. Follow the gurgling to its source.
Answer: Spring. This small stream of water flows directly from the hillside. Historical records tell of the Wyandot peoples traveling the Scioto River in canoes, stopped to drink from this spring. *Because of pollutants, this water is not safe to drink today!
3. Look to the Northeast, towards the trees. Stairs will lead you towards the next item. This object is covered with manmade materials to make it look natural. It helps people communicate over long distances. Birds, including red tail hawks often sit at the top.
Answer: Communication Tower. The City of Dublin wanted it to blend in with the natural landscape. Many people drive past it without noticing. Imagine being a Red-tail hawk and looking out over the land. What would you see? Perhaps you’d see dinner. Red-tail hawks eat mice, squirrels, rabbits, snakes and all sorts of smaller creatures. The tower provides a great place for them to sit and survey the land.
4. This larger than life art piece pays respect to someone known to keep his word.
Answer: Leather Lips Monument. Chief of the Wyandot peoples, Leather Lips was known to keep his word. Accused of “witching”, Leather Lips was killed by his own people in the late 1800’s. He is buried north of the park along Riverside Drive. You can spot his monument, a large pink headstone just south of Stratford Road. For more information on Leatherlips, look for the book Dublin’s Journey at the library.
5. Acting, songs, and even weddings are common at this next stop.
Answer: Scioto Amphitheater. Built in the mid 1980’s, the Amphitheater host events such as “Sundays at Scioto” and weddings. Many people also enjoy lunch in this area. What do you feel like when you’re on stage?
6. The next item is back down the stairs towards the Central shelter house and is oval is shape. It attracts two or six legged creatures that sip nectar. People stop to smell what grows here.
Answer: *Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden. The garden was planted over ten years ago and attracts many critters. Because butterflies have poor eyesight, the garden has a lot of color and flat flowers on which they can easily land. Can you see any insects on the plants now?
An interesting fact: The butterfly garden is planted on top of an old swimming pool that once attracted many guest to this park. The park was privately owned and charged visitors to enter and swim in the spring fed pool. The middle shelter stands where the original changing house stood.
7. The next item is tall and some people say it looks camouflaged because of its patchy shapes and different colors. Others call it ghostlike because the white areas can been easily seen at night. It always grows close to water.
Answer: Sycamore Trees. These trees line the Scioto River. They are known to grow in wet areas and many Native Americans used them as markers to find water. Their seeds are in tight round clusters about the size of a quarter and are eaten by birds. Sycamore trees are also known as the Camouflage or Ghost tree because of their bark.
8. It is fun! Kids of all ages glide through the air, hang from bars and climb on this next item. It is surrounded by soft materials to keep anyone that might fall safe.
Answer: Playground…this playground is visited by many children each year. With benches nearby, parents sit and relax while their little ones play.
9. The final item won’t be hard to find. It’s what the park is named for.
Answer: Scioto River… You are standing on the banks of the longest free flowing river in the state of Ohio. At almost 231 miles long, the Scioto River basin drains over 6,510 square miles, including all of Dublin’s land. The river provides drinking water for many central Ohio residents. We, as a community have control over the health of our drinking water. Please be aware of what washes down storm drains in your community.
Thanks for visiting Scioto Park. For more information about Dublin’s parks please visit www.dublin.oh.us/recreation/parks
*Indicates this item might be harder to find in winter.
Donegal Park Scavenger Hunt
Welcome to Donegal Park. Purchased in 1979, the park was developed in 1988.This historic site was home to an active limestone quarry owned by the Snouffer’s and was productive into the mid-1900’s. Can you see the old quarry from the parking lot?
1. From the parking area, walk towards the sound of children’s laughter. Rub the underside of the first natural item in the mulched bed on your left before the stairs. Does it smell familiar? Can you identify it?
Answer: Bayberry. This shrub, native to the United States, typically grows in more coastal area, including along the shore of Lake Erie. Reports from the mid 1700’s tell of settlers utilizing the wax coating of the shrub’s berries to make candles and soap. However, the wax was very brittle and later settlers learned to mix it with bee’s wax to produce a “sweet smelling” candle.
2. You’ll feel this next item with your feet. Used to protect children at play from injuries, keeping visitors safe.
Answer: The City of Dublin does what it can to be Green including using recycled materials in its Playgrounds. The surfacing beneath your feet is made from recycled tires. What can you recycle?
3. Stand on the playground, facing the river to find this next item. It shades the playground for most of the morning.
Answer: Oak tree. Fruits from the oak tree, called acorns, provide food for an amazing number of animals including insects, birds, deer, squirrel, fox, and coyote. Humans even once depended on acorns for food.
***Please do not collect acorns and please do not try any wild edible without proper knowledge!
4. You’ll walk away from the playground for this next item. Listen for the sound of a ball bouncing.
Answer: Basketball Court. The city has 10 basketball courts; many of which are tucked into neighborhood parks. Have you ever used one? It’s free and fun!
5. Look deep into the South end of the park. This next item will allow you to sit and rest before continuing your hunt.
Answer: Bench. The city has placed several benches in many parks. How relaxing to sit and experience the sounds in nature. As you sit, close your eyes and listen for sounds. How many different sounds can you hear? Are they natural or man made?
6. Head behind the bench to the bike path and go down the long hill. Following the path look for a shrub on both sides with long, curving stems that reach up to 20 feet long. In the springtime it has white flowers that fade to yellow. It smells sweet. In the fall it has red or orange berries. It’s one of the most predominant plants along the bike path. What is this?
Answer: Honeysuckle. Typically visitors believe this is a good plant. However, this particular species is invasive and not native to the United States. This is why you see so little plant diversity. Honeysuckle is one of the first plants to grow leaves in the spring and one of the last to loose them in the fall. Thus, it blocks sunlight from reaching other plants and therefore they can’t grow.
7. Continue your journey down the hill.
Indian Run Falls Scavenger Hunt
Begin at the Library Entrance. Parking is available behind the Library.
1. This structure holds information for visitors on plants, animals and history as well as rules and etiquette for the park.
Answer: Kiosk. Most City of Dublin parks do not have these structures, but in order to help educate visitors about the unique features of this park and ways to keep it safe the kiosk was installed.
2. This large, older tree is at the bottom of the first set of stairs and has a prominent Y shape in its growth.
Answer: Oak Tree. Oak trees have been intertwined in human history, myths and legends more than any other tree. Because of its hardness and resistance to fungi, oak wood has been used by human for centuries. Oaks have been utilized in the production of alcohol, medicines, furniture, housing, any several other products. Acorns, the fruit of oak trees, feed deer, turkey, and many other animals. Native Americans also utilized the fruit which must be specifically prepared for human consumption. How many other oaks do you see?
3. At the first overlook, you’ll see this “ghost tree”…also known as the “camouflage tree”.
Answer: Sycamore tree. Recognized by its exfoliating camouflage bark, this tall tree tends to be mostly white in color. The bark shows the obvious growth that tree gives way to. Also called a Buttonwood, the seeds of this tree form walnut sized balls which hang like ornaments from its branches. The New York stock exchange is also called the “Buttonwood Agreement” because the first trading took place under a Buttonwood. Many Native Americans say a sycamore tree always grows within a hundred feet of water. Is this true here?
4. The next item to look for (or listen for) can also be spotted from an overlook. These water features can be found when the water is flowing over rocks. They’re bubbly and what gives the water sound as it flows. You can see them from all overlooks if the water is flowing.
Answer: Riffle Zones. This is the area within a waterway where the water bubbles through a section of rock. Without rocks, the water would flow but collect less oxygen. When the water is bubbling, oxygen more easily enters the water supporting more life. Fishermen tend to fish downstream of riffles because this is where fish like to live and find things to eat.
5. These large rocks in the ravine don’t ‘match’ the rest of the limestone walls. Some are different colors.
Answer: Glacial Erratic. They were brought here by glaciers hundreds of thousands of years ago. The ice actually moved them here from further north. When the ice melted they were left behind. Most are made of granite a rock not typically found in Dublin which has more limestone than anything else.
6. This item is why most people visit the park. Overall it allows the water to drop around 60 feet and continue flowing to the river.
Answer: The falls. The falls come in steps further towards the road and then one larger drop. The water flows through limestone around 300 to 500 million years old. The sound of the falls typically blocks out the sound of traffic giving visitors a tranquil place to rest.
7. This structure helps people cross the falls.
Answer: Bridge. The bridge was brought in by a large crane so that no large trees were disturbed by heavy equipment. It helps visitors cross safely and enjoy the waterfalls from a different perspective.
8. The next item to look for is the predominant shrub in this park.
Answer: * Bush Honeysuckle. This white flowering shrub grows up to 15 feet tall and is an invasive species. Fast growing, this shrub is one of the first plants to sprout leaves in the spring and last to lose them in the fall. Thus, native plants are deprived of vital sunlight. Furthermore, the roots of the plant take up water that would otherwise be used by native species. The red or orange berries of the bush are eaten by many creatures. However, they have fewer nutrients than our native plants. Lastly, the branching patterns and leaf growth do not provide cover as our native shrubs, leaving animals more susceptible to predation. The City of Dublin has an invasive species removal project. You might have noticed the lack of honeysuckle towards the library. City staff and volunteers work hard to remove this plant and make room for native species.
9. Take the path to the left and you’ll find yourself in the parking lot. The next item is right beneath your feet! What is different about the parking lot surface?
Answer: The pavement is porous! Go ahead! Pour some water onto the surface. It won’t run off like a usual parking lot. Typical pavement does not allow water to pass through the ground. The amount of rooftops and paved surfaces affects our hydrology and soils making our system less healthy. Porous pavement allows water to percolate through the soils. The soils clean the water and the water feeds the soil and creatures.
10. The next thing you’re looking for would be a cozy place to live.
Answer: The Davis Log Cabin and kitchen originally stood on Old Dublin Road. This structure, from the 1830’s was relocated to park property in 2009 and contains about 80 percent of the original structure. The remaining 20 percent was damaged by insects and could not be used. However in the rebuilding, 10 percent was taken from a barn that stood across from the cabins and the final 10 percent from other structures. You can still find insect holes and see the lines left by tools used to form the logs by hand.
11. Head back the way you entered turning left at the fork. You’ll pass shelter houses and eventually the path will end. Where are you?
Answer: The last overlook on your journey. You are also close to where the Wyandot peoples had an encampment. Take time at this spot to enjoy the sounds of the world around you and ponder what the land might have looked like when the cabin was first built and when the Wyandot peoples stayed here. How is it different today? How can we protect this area? What are some things you can do to keep this area safe?
12. Walk back towards your starting point thinking of the things you’ve learned along your journey. Enjoy the walk.
*Symbol indicates this item might be harder to find in winter.
M. L. Red Trabue Nature Preserve Scavenger Hunt
Welcome to M.L. Red Trabue Park. The City of Dublin started purchasing the land for this park in 1987. The park was opened to the public in Starting from the Parking Area on Post Road.
1. This area has a place to sit and hear the wind through grasses, smell the roses, and see the beauty of flowers.
Answer: *The Sensory Garden is a lovely place to spend a few moments. With tall African swaying in a breeze or the smell of roses, this area can be a calm area on a hectic day. Many visitors eat lunch here.
2. Walk west, or left from this area along the bike path and find your next stop. This structure is from the mid 1800’s.
Answer: Built in 1865, the Fleming Cabin was donated to the City of Dublin. It originally stood across from the new post office on Woerner Temple Road. Can you tell which beams had to be replaced because of too much insect damage? Unfortunately, because of vandalism, the cabin is kept locked and has an alarm system.
3. Continue west along the bike path. The next thing you’re looking for will carry you from one side to another.
Answer: Bridge across the South Fork of the Indian Run. This stream collects rain water and drains into the Scioto River (behind the Dublin library). Many times of the year it will be dry with only small pools of water. Does pollution from neighboring homes affect this stream and therefore the Scioto River?
4. Don’t move to find your next item. Do you hear it? If the water level is at the right height you’ll hear the gurgling of the stream. What is this?
Answer: Riffle Zone. A riffle is any area where the water churns over rock. These areas introduce oxygen to the water and provide places for many critters to live. Fishermen tend to fish downstream of riffles because this is where fish tend to be.
5. Continue to the left on the bike path. You’ll eventually turn right onto a grass path. The next items you’re looking for houses something smaller than a human and a lot more colorful!
Answer: *Bluebird Boxes! These bird houses provide nesting areas for many types of secondary cavity nesters (a bird that needs a cavity, but can’t build one itself). Chances are you’ll see Tree Swallows in this area. Their remarkable eyesight allows them to be great insect catchers and aerial acrobats! Providing nesting boxes helps many of our native species.
6. Continue on your journey and you’ll come to a fork in the grass path. Take this to the right and enter the woodlot. Typically we ask visitors to leave no trace. However, reach out and gently rub one of the understory shrubs. What do you smell?
Answer: *Spice Bush. This native shrub with its spicy scented leaves and small red berry was thought to indicate fertile soils to early settlers and helped them determine what land to claim. Many animals utilize this plant as well as Native Americans and early settlers.
7. *If you’re visiting in the spring you might witness this next natural wonder! Look for a wet place in this woodlot that frogs and salamanders might like to lay eggs. In drier times this area might be void of vegetation.
Answer: Temporary standing pools for water are known as vernal pools. They are a critical land feature and we are fortunate to have them in this park. Because over 85% of Ohio’s wetlands have been filled in, it is important to preserve remaining wetlands. Many critters rely on vernal pools for life.
8. Take the loop around the woodlot and continue back out to the grass path (to the right). You’ll eventually come to your next stop. This structure will lead you over the water.
Answer: The boardwalk was designed with fishing in mind and yes this man-made pond is stocked with bass, bluegill and even hybrid striped bass (good for the sportsmen). Ponds are considered permanent wetlands and provide habitat for many creatures including bullfrogs and green frogs which take several years to mature and overwinter as tadpoles.
9. The next item on your list is a place to get comfortable and rest while finding some other items.
Answer: The benches and the picnic tables in our parks are there for your enjoyment. Please take time, relax, and enjoy the water as you look for the following items.
10. As you sit and stare into the water look for swimming visitors around the boardwalk. Find one with black ear flaps behind the eyes?
Answer: You’ve spotted a Bluegill. Spawning occurs mid May to mid June in Ohio. If you’re lucky you might spot one on of the nests full of eggs. Male Bluegill will guard a nest filled with 10,000 to 60,000 eggs laid by females. The eggs typically hatch within five days.
11. Continue looking out over the water and notice what’s around the edges of the pond. Depending on the time of year you might see something resembling a hotdog on a green stick or a shaggy, cotton-like mass on a stick. What is this?
Answer: * Cattails! Interestingly, cattails seem to be a plant that everyone knows. This and other wetland plants help improve water quality by removing chemicals from water. Cattails help in erosion control and provide shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. Historically, cattails were used in many ways including food, housing, and clothing!
12. There are many other things to see around the pond and hopefully you’ve enjoyed your time. When you’re ready, begin your walk back by heading to the left when leaving the boardwalk. Your last item as you head back towards the parking area is all around you. It’s something that has a calming effect, its own smells and sounds, and is known to lower blood pressure.
Answer: Nature. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this park and will visit other Dublin parks enjoying the natural world. Let us know what you see at www.dublin.oh.us/parks.
*Connotes this item might not be found in winter.