Pond at Bath Nature Preserve, Ohio, on 300lb watercolor paper. The Bath Nature Preserve is a 410-acre parcel located at 4160 Ira Road in Bath Township, Ohio, which was formerly part of the Raymond Firestone Estate. It was funded by a bond issue that passed in March 1996 and purchased by Bath Township in October 1997, then opened for public use in August 2001. The preserve features diverse habitats ranging from open fields of grassland and old-field habitat to old-growth forests and wetlands, including a tamarack bog, ponds, and two creeks. Amenities include paved and unpaved walking trails, equestrian trails, bike trails, fishing, a community garden, a sledding hill, the historic Regal Beagle Shelter, a Bath Observatory, and restrooms. Visitors can enjoy a rich diversity of wildlife, including deer, swans, and various bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The University of Akron also operates a Field Station on the property, established in 1998 through a collaborative agreement with Bath Township, using the preserve as a living laboratory for ecological research, habitat restoration, and environmental education — all located just a short distance from Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
