Frohring-Meadows-Map.. - Geauga Park District

FROHRING MEADOWS is a 298-acre park inBainbridge Township that features a 100-acreprairie, and trails through the woodlands. Itis Geauga Park District’s intent to protect thisnatural area in perpetuity.FACILITIESIn the midst of the prairie is the Katydid Shelter,which provides a picnic area that will seat up to50 people, with a nearby restroom, and 40-carparking lot.Frohring MeadowsBand-winged DragonflyJudy M. SenrocPurple ConeflowerHISTORYPaul Frohring, a pioneer in the development ofnutritional and medical supplements, donated176 acres that surrounded his Bainbridgefarmhouse to Geauga Park District in 1996.Much of the property was once farmland, andsoybeans, oats, corn, and wheat had all beenharvested there. In 1999, Geauga Park Districtentered into a 50-year lease with Chagrin Fallsfor 122 acres adjacent to the Frohring propertyto expand trail opportunities and to helpconnect the community to their parks. The parkwas opened to the public in 2007.HABITATSThe abandoned farm fields of Frohring Meadowshave become an ideal setting for a special habitatcreation project featuring a tall grass prairie, ahabitat that might have been found in parts ofOhio when early settlers roamed the territory. Theprairie was seeded in the fall of 2007, and willgrow to maturity over a period of about five years.The plantings include warm season grass speciessuch as Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, IndianGrass, and Switch Grass. There are a number offlowering plants associated with this habitat, suchas Purple Coneflower, Blazing Star, New EnglandAster, and Mountain Mint. Over time, this habitatwill yield a beautiful array of grasses and flowersfor visitors to enjoy.Frohring Meadows also features a woodlanddominated by red and sugar maples. Beech, blackcherry, tulip, red oak, and hickory trees also growthere. Vernal pools host a variety of life includingseveral species of amphibians, like the spottedsalamander, which return each spring to lay their eggs.A low-lying, wet sedge meadow habitat servesas an important feeding stop for migratingshorebirds such as plovers and sandpipers.Aquatic invertebrates living in the shallow waterprovide ample food for hungry migrants. Thewater retention capacity of this area is beneficialto many species of dragonflies and damselfliesas well. The Band-winged Dragonlet dragonfly, anew species to Geauga County (typically native toTexas), was discovered here in 2007.Spotted Salamander EggsTRAILSTrails through Frohring Meadows are designed forusers of varying abilities. Through the meadowis the fully-accessible Dragonfly Trail, which is apaved walkway to allow visitors to experience anup-close view of the wet prairie, and makes anideal jogging trail.Hikers and cross-country skiers can also enjoy aneasy stroll through the woodlands on the BigBluestem Trail.SandpiperTami GingrichJudy M. SenrocGEAUGA PARK DISTRICTGEAUGA PARK DISTRICT9160 Robinson Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024-9148(440) 286-9516 or (800) 536-4006 (Geauga toll free)info@geaugaparkdistrict.orgwww.geaugaparkdistrict.orgPrinted onRecycled PaperParkPreserveEntranceMaple Highlands TrailTami GingrichFrohring Meadows Lat: N 41 24.707 Long: W 081 21.83610M308

TRAILSMILESBig Bluestem Trail 2.8Chagrin Falls Village ParkDragonfly Trail 0.7Washington St.MAP KEYSavage Rd.John WattsChagrin Rd.Park EntranceWet MeadowTall Grass PrairieShort Grass PrairiePower Line CorridorChagrin Falls Village ParkPICNIC AREAKatydid Shelter** Reservable