Sugarcreek MetroPark

Sugarcreek MetroPark History

The Sugarcreek MetroPark lies between Centerville and Bellbrook, Ohio where the Sugar Creek carved a valley in the local terrain.  Its six trails lead hikers and horseback riders through 618 acres of woods, valley, and tall grass prairie.  The park’s name is derived from the many Sugar Maples that populate the area as well as the surrounding Sugarcreek Township where the Big Sugar Creek, becomes Sugar Creek and then flows into the Little Miami River. 

Sugarcreek MetroPark has been part of the park district since 1966.  Before it was a park, the land once served as farmland and once held the Sugarcreek Riding Academy.  In the late 1800s and before the widespread use of barbed wire, the land made use of a living fence that now forms a living tree tunnel. 

Sugarcreek MetroPark Features

  • Osage Orange Tunnel: The living tree tunnel mentioned above today serves as a fanciful park feature where hedge apple trees form a long and graceful arch for hikers to enjoy throughout the seasons
  • Three Sisters: A set of 550-year-old White Oak Trees.  In 2008, One succumbed to storm damage, but the remaining two trees are impressively large and majestic.  This gallery features the Big Sister which is the first one a visitor typically sees from the Orange Trail.
  • Tall grass prairie: Though once a farm field, this tall grass prairie carries a host of native Ohio wildflowers making the Yellow Trail a visual treat
  • Beech Woods: Among the Sycamore and Maple trees lie a stand of Beech trees where the forest footpath gently meanders through the forest creating compelling compositions

Sugarcreek MetroPark Art Prints

I love exploring this park and capturing several compositions throughout the colorful seasons.  The Osage Orange Tree Tunnel scenes have won many art and photography awards, thus serving as my signature prints.  In 2023, when the State of Ohio sought art of the prettiest scenes in the state, Sunrise along Osage Orange Tunnel No. 7 was selected as to hang in the Rhodes Office building to the delight of state employees.  Many purchase the print for its heavenly feel of walking into the light which reminds them of one of their favored places to walk before their spouses’ passing. 

If you are seeking additional signature images, be sure to check out my prints from these nearby parks: 

Showing 1–16 of 21 results

Looking up from the bottom of a 550-year old white oak tree whose green leaves catch golden light from the evening sun.

At The Foot of a Giant, Sugarcreek MetroPark No. 1

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The arched limbs from this ancient row of Osage Orange trees form a delightful tunnel during sunrise which backlights the yellowing autumn leaves

Autumn Stroll Under the Osage Orange Tunnel, Sugarcreek MetroPark No. 4

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A black and white image looking up from the bottom of a 550-year old white oak tree where a recent snow clings to its dark bark

Sugarcreek MetroPark White Oak in Winter

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A trail leads visitors around a stand of birch trees in Sugarcreek MetroPark during a fall day

Sugarcreek MetroPark Orange Trail

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In this upward looking image of a white oak, its many massive branches stretch skyway under autumn skies

Sugarcreek MetroPark Majestic White Oak No. 2

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A stone resting spot at the foot of a trail extending through the forest during an autumn sunset

Sugarcreek MetroPark Autumn Evening No. 2

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The warm autumn light illuminating the trail during an evening walk in Sugarcreek MetroPark

Sugarcreek MetroPark Autumn Evening No. 1

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A woodland trail covered with sugar maple leaves during an evening walk through Sugarcreek MetroPark

Autumn Evening Walk through Sugarcreek MetroPark

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A straight trail extending to the midground is bounded by Osage Orange trees arching over this snowy path forming a natural woodland tunnel

Snowy Sugarcreek MetroPark Osage Tunnel No. 3

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A contrasting winter scene of Sugarcreek MetroPark tunnel of trees where the wet, white snow coats the dark trees creating a visual wonder

Snowy Osage Tunnel, Sugarcreek MetroPark No. 1

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580-year-old, white oak tree on a foggy morning in Sugarcreek MetroPark

Panorama of The Sisters, Sugarcreek MetroPark

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A meandering path through a stand of beech trees on a foggy autumn morning

Orange Trail on Foggy Morning, Sugarcreek MetroPark

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As this hiking trail disappears behind a grove of trees, the setting sun backlights the forest floor and backlights the thinning leaves during this autumn evening

Golden Hour over Sugarcreek MetroPark In Autumn No. 1

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A foggy view of a living tunnel formed by Osage Orange trees that serves as a natural ancient fence line

Foggy Osage Orange Tunnel, Sugarcreek MetroPark No. 2

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A foggy view of a living tunnel formed by Osage Orange trees that serves as a natural ancient fence line

Foggy Osage Orange Tunnel No. 3

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A foggy view of a living tunnel formed by Osage Orange trees that serves as a natural ancient fence line

Foggy Osage Orange Tunnel, Sugarcreek MetroPark No. 2

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A bench basks in the sunlight on an fall day at a pathway's beginning where the autumn branches form a natural tunnel

Basking Bench

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One of Ohio’s largest white oak trees whose branches spread out in all directions as the autumn-colored leaves compliment the blue sky above.

Three Sisters White Oak Trees in Autumn, Sugarcreek MetroPark No. 4

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A contrasting scene where the evening sun back lights the autumn leaves as the viewer looks down the dark side of arching branches which form a natural tunnel

Autumn Evening under Sugarcreek MetroPark’s Osage Orange Tunnel No. 3

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Sunrise over an unusually old white oak tree, where the sun backlights the autumn-colored leaves which contrast with the darker, shady size of this massive specimen.

Three Sisters Oak in Autumn, Sugarcreek MetroPark No. 5

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The arched limbs from this ancient row of Osage Orange trees form a delightful tunnel as the rising sunrise at the end of the path warmly backlights the yellowing autumn leaves.

Sunrise along Osage Orange Tunnel No. 7

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