Flight of the Hawk Park

The site was acquired 2006 by donation from the City of Lancaster.

Some of the activities you can enjoy at this park are viewing the sculptures of native Ohio animals, birding, photography, walking, and picnicking.

Red-tailed Hawk Sculpture

The main feature of this park is the awesome sculpture of a red-tailed hawk with a 14′ wingspan alighting on its nest that is 42′ above ground.

It is composed of more than 3,000 torch-cut pieces that were artfully shaped and welded into place by local artist, Ric Leichliter.  It weighs an impressive 2,500 pounds!

After the sculpture was completed, the hawk was hot-dipped in a galvanizing solution.  Then, it was painted using the bird’s natural colors.  A final protective clear coating was added.

How was such a massive piece installed at the park? Click the first photo to see an enlargement and to look through the slides.

White-tailed Deer

There are also life-sized sculptures of animals native to Ohio – white-tailed deer (pictured at right), turkey vultures, a wild turkey gobbler and hen – in the park.  These, too, are works of Leichliter.

What started with a simple welcome sign for visitors entering the Sugar Grove area grew to a setting for a sculpture park.  If you are planning to visit nearby Wahkeena Nature Preserve, we invite you to take some time before or after to visit Flight of the Hawk Park.

Nationally-known sculptor, Ric Leichliter, has been a life-long resident of Fairfield County; he grew up in Millersport. Most of his works were commissioned and can be found in many public spaces as well as private collections. He works in different mediums but prefers metal and stone. All the life-sized metal sculptures in the park are Ric’s work. The hawk, however, is obviously the crowning piece of this collection.

Click the first photo to see an enlargement and to look through the slides.