There is a Purple Martin house next to the central playground that can be observed from your car in the summer. 

Spanning two adjacent areas separated by the Vermilion River, Mill Hollow on one side and Bacon Woods on the other, the Vermilion River Reservation is great for family picnics and nature lovers.

If you’re looking to picnic in a beautiful place with plenty of activities for both adults and children, this is an ideal place to come. The Vermilion River Reservation draws over 230,000 people a year, making it one of the most popular picnic areas in the Lorain County Metro Parks system. It’s not surprising considering the spotless maintenance, plenty of open space, 5 miles of wooded trails, two playgrounds, and two ponds that attract visiting waterfowl year-round.

The Vermilion River Reservation is known as a habitat for bald eagles and several other wildlife. These magnificent creatures can be seen almost daily at Mill Hollow, perched in one of the tall trees near the center of the park. Local wildlife sightings include Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, and various geese and ducks.

Wildflower lovers come from all over in spring and early summer to see the color and variety of these indigenous species which include Dutchman’s Breeches, Bloodroot, and Virginia Bluebell along with an extensive list of other species found throughout northeast Ohio.