Mountain Run Station is a 32-acre park in southwestern Hambden Township that provides access to the section of The Maple Highlands Trail that runs from South Street in Chardon to Headwaters Park in Huntsburg Township. It is Geauga Park District's intent to protect this natural area in perpetuity.

The hilly terrain of Geauga County reaches its peak nearby – thus, the Lake Branch of the former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the site of today's Maple Highlands Trail became known as the "Mountain Run."

From the time the B&O Railroad first petitioned to abandon the railway in 1976, Geauga Park District Board of Park Commissioners expressed interest in converting those rails to multi-use trails. In 1986, the Geauga County Commissioners and Geauga Park District Commissioners passed resolutions to pursue the purchase, management and maintenance of the abandoned railroad property. Funding was received from Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA).

On September 15, 2007, Mountain Run Station was officially named a park in its own right.

Chardon Rotary Shelter is available by reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis. This park also offers a couple other picnic areas with tables and grills, restrooms and parking.

Chardon Rotary Shelter & Picnic Area (one of three)

Mountain Run Station features the 1,900-foot (0.36-mile) Chardon Run Way, which leads visitors from Chardon Rotary Shelter to The Maple Highlands Trail.

Mountain Run Station is a starting point for The Maple Highlands Trail – Central, which takes visitors 8.2 miles through a variety of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, farm fields and Amish neighborhoods. Opportunities abound to spot wild turkeys and white tail deer, as well as turtles and snakes crossing the trail.

This park itself is primarily a lawn area with a retention pond, but is growing up with good "edge habitat," meaning it attracts a variety of nesting songbirds and small mammals sheltered by the thickets. Pines nearer the parking area give way to maples with a short venture away.

Click below for a map, courtesy of Mapquest®.

From I-90: Exit I-90 at Route 44. Turn right onto Main Street/US-6 W/OH-44 S. Turn left onto Water Street/US-6/OH-44 and follow US-6, which becomes South Hambden Street, which becomes Chardon Windsor Road/CR-13. Continue 0.1 miles. Park is on the right.

From I-422: Travel US-422 and continue to follow Main Market Road. Turn right onto Madison Road/Main Street/OH-528/OH-88 and follow Madison Road/OH-528. Turn left onto Old State Road/OH-608 and follow OH-608. Turn left onto Chardon Windsor Road/CR-13 and continue 3.4 miles. Park is on the left.