Darke County Parks—Through the Years

This is the second installment of a series featuring Darke County Park District’s twelve park areas.  The mission of the Darke County Parks is to acquire and preserve land areas possessing special natural and historical features and to manage and maintain these resources for the benefit of its residents through appropriate educational and passive recreational programs and activities.  The Park District was created in 1972 when the honorable Judge Williams ordered the formation of the Park District.  The Park District is now comprised of over 1,000 acres. 

Routzong Preserve is located on Routzong Road, just off of 571-East and joined the Park District in 1987.  This 55-acre park was created around the donation of a 33-acre woodland by Ron and Betty Johnson.   From spectacular spring wildflowers to brilliant fall leaves, the Beech-Maple forest of Routzong Preserve makes it an area of interest during every season of the year.  A quiet walk along any of the 1 1⁄2 miles of trail may reveal Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrush or even a Pileated Woodpecker. From towering giant trees to the fascinating fungus of decomposition, the woodland is a dynamic place, a living laboratory of the processes within a mature forest and a reminder of Darke County’s past.  No other place within the county provides a more splendid and diverse array of spring wildflowers, old growth woodland, and forest birds.  It is the wish of the Darke County Parks, that you discover the joy that is Routzong Preserve. 

All of the Darke County Parks are open sunrise to sunset.  For more information on Routzong Preserve or any Darke County Parks, call the Park Office at 937.548.0165 or visit our website at www.darkecountyparks.org