Killbuck Lakes Park

The lake, left behind by mining operations, also provides important habitat for waterfowl to eat and rest during migration. American coots, grebe, and bufflehead ducks, as well as trumpeter swans have been seen on the water. Even a bald eagle has been spotted circling in the skies above.

Wildlife Blind
A wildlife blind was constructed and installed several years ago by park staff with assistance from volunteer groups from Rea & Associates of Medina and Leadership Medina County. The blind gives visitors an opportunity to view waterfowl and other wetland animals without scaring them off.

Primitive Trail
The primitive trail is a 0.7-mile loop that ventures off the 1.25-mile nature trail and rejoins it later. Along the primitive trail, you’ll find a large wetland with the wildlife observation blind, remnant forest, and open areas where land once used for gravel mining is being steadily reclaimed by nature.

The trail also features a bog bridge constructed by the park district’s natural resource department from live-edge walnut slabs. The bridge helps hikers traverse an area where the soil is wet much of the year. In addition to the nature trail’s narrower profile, the grass in some areas is allowed to grow to six or eight inches. Because the trail is not sharply defined by mowed edges, it blends with the surroundings and sometimes seems to disappear 20 or 30 yards ahead, leading to a sense of discovery as the landscape reveals itself more slowly and naturally.

Fishing at Killbuck
A survey found an excellent range of fish in the lake, including catchable bass, bluegill, and crappie. Daily catch limits are posted to help maintain the health of the population. Smaller numbers of incidental species caught during the sampling include: bowfin, grass pickerel, white sucker, carp, mudminnow and pumpkinseed sunfish. There is a lake-access area where visitors can pull up to the shore to unload small watercraft. Only non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted.