Crane Creek State Park

About Crane Creek State Park

Located on the scenic shores of Lake Erie, Crane Creek State Park offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the Great Lakes and their many wildlife habitats. The coastal environment is home to more than 300 bird species and the abundance of waterfowl, sea turtles and other wildlife makes this area an excellent birdwatching area for adults and children.

Lake Erie is a remnant of the massive ice sheet that formed during the Ohio Ice Age, and when the ice melted the great lake was covered with a layer of snow and ice up to 1.5 meters thick.

Crane Creek is located on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, north of Cleveland, Ohio, in the state of Ohio.

The wetlands of Crane Creek are the remains of an old swamp, and the swamp and Lake Erie provide food, shelter and nesting sites. The lake has shrunk over the years as the water has run off, leaving vast swamps after swamp. Bird populations have grown enormously as tired migrants have sought refuge in the swamps and fled north to Lake Erie and Canada.

It is not uncommon to see more than a hundred species in one day, and attentive observers can spot the elusive bittern and great crested grebe. In winter, owls are seen hunting in the open meadows and swamps, and swallows delight the eye in flight, while ducks, geese and coots are well visible. I am known to observe birds in this area for up to two hours at a time, sometimes up to three hours.

Several breeding pairs have recently been reported from Crane Creek, and the shores of Lake Erie have been overrun by bittern, grebes and other birds of prey.

The swamp is inhabited by a variety of bird species, reptiles and amphibians, as well as mammals and birds of prey, including a large population of painted turtles and a number of fish species.

The Crane Creek area was originally a vast, flat plain, home to a large swamp and a wide variety of plant and animal species. For many years, the swamp was a major obstacle to colonization in the West, and eventually disappeared when it became an important agricultural area. In the late 19th century, a law was passed that established a system of ditches for draining the land.

Most of the land in the area was bought by wealthy sportsmen, with much of this wetland used for private shooting events until the 1890s. In the late 19th century, this area became known as Crane Creek State Park, the first national park in North America and the largest in Texas.

In 1951, the ODNR (Department of Parks and Recreation) acquired a total of 650 hectares of land, including wetlands and a private stretch of beach. This purchase enabled the wildlife department of the NRN to acquire parts of the wetlands and the beach to develop them as a public duck hunting area. In 1955, a stretch of beach was opened to the public, and in 1951, the entire Crane Creek State Park was open to the public, except for a small stretch near the coast.

Today Crane Creek State Park consists of a beach and swamp bordered by the shores of Lake Erie, a small stretch of beach on the east side of the park and a large swamp area. The creek owes its name to the large herons, often mistakenly identified as cranes and abundant in the marshes, and a number of other bird species, such as the crane and crayfish, which both adorn the shores of Lake Erie. The name is derived from the nearby Crane Creek, which flows west through the parks into Cleveland Lake and then east into the lake.

Lake Erie offers unlimited opportunities for boaters, and the marinas in the park offer access to the lake. Latrines and changing rooms are available, as well as a number of picnic tables, picnic areas and toilets.

Hunting of waterfowl is excellent in this area, and controlled hunting is permitted in the adjacent Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. Fishing is possible in summer and winter, but also in winter on the lake and in spring and autumn.

All hunters and fishermen must comply with the rules and regulations established by the wildlife department of the ODNR. A valid hunting and fishing permit is required for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities in Crane Creek State Park.

A 1.5 km long footpath leads to many different habitats within the park, and picnic areas are available according to the motto "First - come, first." Table barbecues are spread out on the shores of Lake Erie and offer picturesque picnic opportunities. The barrier-free promenade passes several small ponds and borders open swamps.

Bird watchers are thrilled by the numerous bird species that are spotted along the way, as well as the beautiful view of Lake Erie. Magee's Marsh Wildlife Area is one of the most scenic areas in Crane Creek State Park and offers excellent opportunities for nature study and fishing along Turtle Creek Bay.

The migratory birds centre, located on the main road leading to the park, is run by the wildlife department of the ODNR and offers exhibitions of native species and information about the area. Controlled public hunting is permitted here and viewing platforms offer unique views of the surrounding terrain.

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is bordered by Crane Creek State Park to the east of the park and the Ottawa River to the west. The refuge is located in the eastern part of Ottawa County, south of St. Clair County.

The nature reserve covers 73 hectares of grassy and ridgeline, and the park offers camping, fishing, swimming and boating, while Maumee Bay also has a pool, beach, picnic area, boat ramp and jetty. Maumsee Bay State Park is located in the eastern part of Ottawa County, south of St. Clair County. East Harbor State Park is located on the east side of East Bay Road, east of Lake Huron and west of I-75.

The scientific reserve may only be entered with written permission from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (DNR) or the National Park Service (NPS).

Take Highway 22 for 8 miles to West Keyes Road and turn right at the stop sign onto Keye's and then right on Crane Creek Road for the rest of the way.