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14 - Chapin Forest Reservation
Lake Metroparks
10381 Hobart Road, Kirtland, OH 44094
440.256.3810
Public Access
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Amenities
Hiking Trails, Equestrian Trails, Restrooms, Picnic Area
GPS Coordinates
N 41° 35'18.47"; W 81° 22'14.84"
Driving Directions
Take I-90 to State Route 306 south. Go south
approximately three miles. Chapin Forest Reservation
is located on the right (west).
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What To Look For
A Lake County Metropark, Chapin Forest encompasses 390 acres and is especially noteworthy for its beautiful sandstone formations. Much of the forest is comprised of beech and maple, with oaks dominating in higher ground and hemlocks forming stands on and around sandstone outcrops. An old quarry is a dominant feature, and now supports some interesting wetlands and unusual plant communities.
A series of trails provides easy access to the site. Please remain on designated trails to help protect sensitive plant communities, especially around the sandstone ledges and outcrops. Regular guided trips visit normally off-limits areas; contact Lake County Metroparks for more information.
Over 90 species of breeding, or potentially breeding, birds have been documented within Chapin Forest. These include regionally rare hemlock nesters such as Dark-eyed Junco and Winter Wren. Sixteen species of probable breeding warblers have been found, including noteworthy species such as Cerulean, Pine, and Magnolia warblers, and Northern Waterthrush. Both species of cuckoos are possible.
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Noteworthy Rarities
Sharp-shinned Hawks breed locally, as do Red-breasted Nuthatch and Brown Creeper. This is one of the few areas along the Lake Erie Birding Trail where one has a chance for Ruffed Grouse.
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Natural Features
The rock formations are worth the trip alone. The sandstone formations create ledges, small cliffs, and even cave-like recesses. Some rare plants, such as mountain-rice (Piptatherum racemosum) and silvery sedge (Carex argyrantha) occur around the sandstone ledges. The endangered Canada St. John's-wort (Hypericum canadense) occurs in wetlands that have formed in the old quarry, and a rare damselfly, the Northern bluet (Enallagma cyathigerum) can also be found in these wetlands.
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