Hello everybody! My name is Ron Clyburn. I’m an author who was born and raised right here in the Miami Valley. Every month, I’ll be traveling around the area and sharing those stories right here in The Miami Valley Experience.
One of the great things about living in Ohio, especially in the Miami Valley, are the number of state parks you can visit and explore. I recently paid a visit to the Great Council State Park (Ohio’s newest park) located in my hometown of Xenia.
Having grown up in Ohio, I’ve visited many state parks. They have hiking trails, campgrounds, waterways, and some have wildlife exhibits. The Great Council State Park is more than just a park. It’s an educational experience for the entire family.
The history of the region’s Native Americans and European settlers comes alive as you walk into the 12,000-square-foot Interpretive Center, designed to look like a Shawnee longhouse, built on the site of the Shawnee village of Old Chillicothe. Some of the features include: Interactive historical displays, art exhibits, a theater, and my personal favorite, a living stream and aquarium teaming with fish native to Ohio.
A bronze statue of Shawnee Chief and Warrior, Tecumseh stands out front of the Interpretive Center, and you as soon as you walk in the main doors, you are greeted by a beautiful bronze sculpture of a panther, called Panther Across the Ohio Sky.
There is a half-mile trail, which we did not go on. But a tour guide told me the trail runs along a preserved prairie full of native plants, and connects with the Tecumseh Preserve Trail that ends with a view of the Little Miami River.
There are so many educational exhibits and displays offering historical information about this region’s Native Americans and European Settlers, I don’t believe I can do the Great Council State Park justice by describing them all here. Also, I don’t want to spoil the experience for you. So, I encourage you all to go there and see it for yourselves. My wife and I were both very impressed with the Interpretive Center, and learned so many new things about the history of the area we live in and call our home.
More about The Great Council State Park and Ron Cyburn
The Great Council State Park is located at 1587 US-68 N, Xenia, Ohio 45385. The park office number is 937-502-0057. You can take guided tours every day of the week except for Mondays. Check the park’s website for tour times, as well as hours of operation.
You can find information about Ohio’s other state parks at www.ohiostateparks.gov
Check out my author website at www.ronclyburn.com, where I have a bi-weekly blog, short stories, and links to my published work.