The West Woods 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87) Russell & Newbury Twps.

The West Woods is a 902-acre park that protects the historic sandstone ledges of Ansel’s Cave, Silver Creek and its watershed, extensive wetlands, and mature forests. The West Woods Nature Center is a venue for innovative exhibits that highlight the geology, hydrology, and diverse ecology of Geauga County lands. It is Geauga Park District’s intent to protect this natural area in perpetuity, and utilize the nature center to provide quality nature education.

History
Habitats
Facilities
Trails
Green Roof Building
Download the trail map
Directions to The West Woods

History
According to local legend, Ansel’s Cave once sheltered Civil War soldiers and munitions, runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad, Prohibition-era bootleggers, and Geauga County resident Ansel Savage, who reportedly made the cave his permanent home in the 1830’s.

In the mid-1800’s, the David Robinson family set up their homestead on land that would one day be part of The West Woods. Remnants of the Robinson family cemetery still remain.

In 1933, Mr. W.H. Eisenman purchased approximately 600 acres here, which he used for maple sugaring and hosting popular parties. Eventually he donated 100 acres to ASM International for their headquarters. In 1961, ASM (American Society for Materials) purchased the remainder of the homestead from the Eisenman Trust.

The West Woods began taking shape in 1992 when Lewis and Ruth Affelder offered the Park District a life estate donation of 85 acres west of ASM. In January 1994, the Park District purchased 192 acres near ASM from Miller & Company. In April of that same year, ASM offered Geauga Park District the opportunity to purchase more than 500 acres. With support from local conservationist William D. Ginn, who obtained a loan for the much-need funds and spearheaded a successful fundraising campaign, the preservation of this large parcel was possible. An additional 100 acres were added in 1996 with the support of neighbors and friends of the Park District, making the park a true community treasure.

The West Woods is named after a story first published in 1885: A.G. Riddle’s The Young Sugar Makers of The West Woods, which takes place where the park is now located.

Paul Newman

Habitats
The natural diversity of The West Woods is not only pleasing to the eye; it provides refuge for a variety of wildlife. Wetlands, mature forests, reclaimed farm fields and Ansel’s Cave, which is composed of Sharon conglomerate sandstone ledges, provide habitat for a great number of plant and animal species. Three tributaries of Silver Creek - a high quality cold-water stream and a tributary of the Chagrin River - have been used by the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Wildlife to successfully reintroduce a “threatened” species of native brook trout.

Several potentially threatened species have been identified in The West Woods, including the butternut tree, closed gentian, blunt mountain mint wildflowers, tall manna grass, and the mourning warbler. More than 100 species of fungi have been identified here, several of which are rare in North America.

As the forest continues to mature, the undisturbed habitat becomes increasingly valuable to wildlife, including woodland songbirds like tanagers, warblers, thrushes, vireos and flycatchers; pileated woodpeckers; and barred owls and others that depend on sizable forest stands with undisturbed interiors.

Frogs, toads and a large variety of salamanders benefit from the abundance of seeps, springs, streams, and both naturally occurring and manmade wetlands located within the park.

Facilities
The West Woods Nature Center houses innovative displays and hands-on exhibits that explain how the geology (rocks) and hydrology (water) of Geauga County gave rise to the area’s diverse natural communities.

The Lewis & Ruth Affelder House is available by permit only for small civic or conservation agencies, with groups not to exceed 25 persons. See policies here. The house offers a large meeting room with tables and chairs, wood burning fireplace, kitchenette with refrigerator and sink, and an outdoor patio with grill. No kitchen stove is provided.

Shelters
Two picnic shelters are available for reservations. Both include electricity and nearby restrooms.  Read more about reserving shelters

Turkey Ridge Shelter

Trails
There are more than 7 miles of trails in The West Woods, traversing through woodlands, across streams and past outcroppings of Sharon conglomerate sandstone.  Download the trail map

Enjoy the Discovery Trail, which leads visitors past vernal pools; take the Trout Lily Trail to Sunset Overlook; or follow Neighbor’s Way from the nature center to the picnic shelters.  

The Pioneer Bridle Trail, open to both horseback riders and hikers, makes a large loop west of the nature center. Horse trailer parking is available in the north parking lot. The Music Street Link Trail connects the Pioneer Bridle Trail to Music Street.

The Ansel’s Cave Trail leads from the picnic shelter area to Ansel’s Cave. The Ansel’s Cave Trail Link provides additional access to and from the Nature Center.

Directions
Click below for a map from Mapquest®.

From the North: Travel I-90 to Route 306. Travel south on Route 306 for approximately 12.7 miles to Route 87. Turn east on Route 87, and travel 1.9 miles to the park entrance on the south side of the road.

From the South: Travel I-422 to 306 exit. Turn north onto Route 306, travel approximately 5.3 miles to Route 87. Turn east on Route 87, and travel for approximately 1.9 miles. Park entrance is on the south side of Route 87.

From the East: Travel Route 87 approximately 3 miles west of Auburn Road. Park entrance is on the south side of Route 87.

From the West: Travel Route 87 1.9 miles east of Route 306. Park entrance is on the south side of Route 87.