Timberman Ridge Area
The Timberman Ridge Area is a part of Forest Run MetroPark in Ross Township, bordering the City of Hamilton.
Thanks to a cooperative conservation project with The Trust for Public Land, the Richard J. Fitton Family Foundation, Three Valley Conservation Trust, the Ohio Public Works Commission and MetroParks of Butler County, the 173-acre park opened to the public daily in 2014. Three Valley Conservation Trust holds and maintains a conservation easement on the property. The Timberman Ridge Area was purchased with a Clean Ohio
Greenspace Conservation program grant, administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Timberman Ridge is mostly comprised of former farmland, which is currently being restored to a natural landscape. Rehabilitation efforts include the restoration of grasslands, prairies, woodlands, wetlands, a stream corridor, bottom-land floodplain, and cold water springs.
In 2018, work began on a 9.8-acre reforestation project, the paving of 1.3 miles of a 10 ft. wide multi-purpose trail, construction of a new parking lot and improvements to the park driveway. Funding for these enhancements were made possible by $691,023 from a Clean Ohio Grant, and a private contribution of $225,000 secured by MetroParks in 2017. MetroParks provided approximately $5,500 towards the costs of these projects.
Highlights of the Timberman Ridge Area include 9.1 miles of natural trails, which offer spectacular scenic views of the valley below. An observation deck can be accessed off of the Timberman Ridge Trail, the Grand Circle Trail, Cross Country Route 1 and Cross Country Route 2. Two cross-country routes are open to the general public for walking and running, and are also utilized by local cross-country teams for practices and events. Three catch-and-release ponds are available for fishing, with a valid Ohio Fishing License. A reservable shelter and new playground are also available to the general public.
The Timberman Ridge Area can be accessed via the park's main entrance off of Timberman Road. Additional park entrances can be found on New London Road near the spring house (the small storehouse built over the cold water spring on the property), and at the Warvel Trailhead on Warvel Road.
