Mailing Address:
2045 Morse Road,
Building C-3
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
(614) 265-6561

For general information about the
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves,
e-mail your questions here.

HUTCHINS (HIGHBANKS)
STATE NATURE PRESERVE - 206 ACRES

Main Feature:

Scenic shale bluffs along the Olentangy State Scenic River.

Hutchins Preserve is situated on 100-foot high bluffs overlooking the Olentangy State Scenic River in Delaware County. These massive cliffs are comprised mostly of devonian-age Ohio black shale along with some Olentangy shale.

An oak-hickory woodlands community dominates the drier ridgetops giving way to beech-maple further away from the bluffs. The preserve features 45 tree, 22 shrub and 144 herbaceous species.

A large semi-circular earthwork attributed to the Late Woodland people (Cole culture) and designated as a National Historic Landmark is located within the preserve.

The preserve is owned and managed by the Coumbus/Franklin County metropolitan parks system.

Location:

Located in Franklin/Delaware counties on U.S. Route 23, 4 miles north of Worthington within Highbanks Metropark. A 2-1/2 mile trail traverses the preserve.

Metroparks site