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

Lewis & Ruth Affelder House
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Meeting room inside the Affelder House |
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.
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