This 409+ acre natural area lies south of Miamisburg and east of the Great Miami River in Miami Township. It is adjacent to over 200 acres of public open space owned by Miami Township, the City of Miamisburg, and Montgomery County.

This beautiful piece of land contains mature forest, planted prairies, wetlands, a young forest, a scenic pond, and two small streams. These native habitats are accentuated by varied topography from nearly flat to rolling to steep terrain. A scenic hilltop vista in the western end is a highlight.

Wildlife observed here include deer, wild turkey, and a wide variety of smaller mammals, amphibians, and birds.

Much of the land was purchased with the help of the Clean Ohio Fund, a State bond issue approved by Ohio voters in 2000 and 2008. In addition to buying the land, these funds paid for improvements to the land including the removal of invasive Amur honeysuckle (from Asia), installation of an access lane, and the planting of trees.

The Medlar Bikeway, which traverses the Medlar Conservation Area, was made possible thanks to a unique partnership between various local organizations. The bikeway makes a significant step toward a southern connection between the Great Miami River and the Little Miami River bikeways, the region’s two main arterial trails. The path leads riders through wetlands, ravines, and mature forest to a hilltop vista.

Participating partners of the project include Five Rivers MetroParks, Miami Township, Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District, The Ohio Department of Transportation, City of Miamisburg, Montgomery County and Miamisburg City Schools District.

Riders can access the new trail from the Great Miami River Bikeway north of Crains Run Park south of Miamisburg, or from MetroParks’ Medlar Conservation Area at the southwest corner of Medlar Road and Miamisburg Springboro Pike.