7636 Clearcreek Rd SW
Lancaster, OH  43130

Open Year-Round, Dawn to Dusk

Clear Creek

357+ acres in Madison Township in the southwest part of the county.

The site was acquired by separate purchases.  Non-contiguous parcels were acquired in 2005.  In 2023, acquisition of another parcel joined the two existing sections, making this the largest park owned by Fairfield County Park District (see “Hague Foundation Makes Possible Property Acquisition“, dated January 6, 2023).

Some of the activities you can enjoy at this park are viewing Johnson Covered Bridge and Hannaway Covered Bridge, birding and nature watching, photography, hiking or walking, and dog walking.  Although still under development, visitors are welcome.

The park name was chosen because the property is located at the terminus of the southeasterly flow of the last great glaciers to cover Ohio – the Wisconsinan and the Illinoian. No other place is known to have experienced the exact same geological phenomenon!

Two Glaciers Park is of special interest to geologists because of its unique glacial history. During visits to Ohio in 2023, rocks were examined in situ and samples were taken to the laboratory and analyzed for composition and comparison.  The resulting research paper, Glacial Advances and Retreats in Two Glaciers Park, Fairfield County, Ohio, by George F Maxey, Ph.D., and geology students Elaine Cox, Evan Grissom, Madellen Harkay, and Michael McClure at National Park College in Hot Springs, Arkansas, can be read in its entirety (click the link, above).

Before Fairfield County Park District acquired the property, it was used primarily for agriculture. Since 2020, the property has undergone considerable habitat restoration with help from partnering agencies. US Fish and Wildlife Service planted over 100 acres with native warm-season grasses and wildflowers. The Nature Conservancy recently completed a wetland mitigation project of more than twelve acres. This year, Fairfield County Park District will begin an additional 33-acre wetland restoration project utilizing grant funds through Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ H2Ohio initiative. Future plans include trails, observation areas, and improved visitor access.

When you visit, try to imagine the vast, thick ice sheets of the Illinoian and Wisconsinan glaciers that once blanketed the entire region!

Johnson Covered Bridge

The first thing you see when entering the park’s main entrance is Johnson Covered Bridge.  It was built in 1887 by August Borneman and Hocking Valley Bridge Works using the Howe truss, is 98′ long plus 5′ overhangs at each end and sits over Clear Creek.

It is the longest-surviving bridge on public property and it it still sitting on its original abutments!  She has suffered many damaging events over the years usually caused by flooding.  The latest restoration was completed in 1996.

Hannaway Covered Bridge is in this park but must be accessed by Clearport Rd.  It was built in 1901 (some references say 1904) using the Multiple Kingpost truss, is 86′ long plus 7′ overhangs at each end and sits over Clear Creek.  This bridge is a replacement of the original 1881 bridge.

Hannaway Covered Bridge

When motorized traffic became more popular, many bridges had windows and canopies added to their sides to allow drivers to better see oncoming traffic.  This bridge is different in that she has only one added window.  She too has suffered from damage by flooding; the last restoration was in 2017.

Clear Creek

Clear Creek flows through both glaciated and unglaciated physiographic regions of southeast central Ohio, draining a diverse topography.  The downstream segment drains the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau, flowing through Clear Creek valley before joining the Hocking River.

The above information was taken from “Biological and Water Quality Study of the Upper Hocking River and Selected Tributaries – Fairfield and Hocking Counties, Ohio” dated December 31, 1997 by Ohio EPA (State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency).

Trails are being developed.

Johnson Covered Bridge

Reservations:  Yes, this covered bridge may be reserved.  Call (614) 321-4833 ext 103 or (740) 652-4422 to check availability.
Rental Fee:  $50, non-refundable
Security Deposit:  $100*, refunded if terms of Facility Rental Agreement are met
*Fairfield County Park District may also bill the renter for clean-up and/or for repair of damages, if necessary.

Electricity:  Yes
Bathrooms:  No

Description:  This bridge may be used for small gatherings or ceremonies with less than 50 people.  There is no paved path from the parking lot.  It is not possible to drive to the bridge to unload and load supplies.

Hannaway Covered Bridge

Reservations:  No, this covered bridge is not available for private events.
Rental Fee:  N/A
Security Deposit:  N/A

Electricity:  No
Bathrooms:  No

Description:  Because there is no parking nor easy access to this covered bridge, it is not made available for private events.

There is no picnic shelter at this location.

There are two picnic tables; one is near the parking area, the other is on the opposite side of Johnson Covered Bridge.  There are also three benches facing Clear Creek.  There are two benches near Hannaway Covered Bridge.