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Print Friendly MapThe University/Parks Trail is a wide, paved trail that extends from Toledo into its western suburbs along a former railroad corridor. More than half the trail also parallels an active freight line.
Despite its suburban setting, the trail runs primarily through a wooded corridor with the occasional meadow or wetlands along the way. In the east, the trail provides convenient access to the University of Toledo, while a spur trail north of Central Avenue leads to Wildwood Preserve Metropark in Sylvania. True to its name, the park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.
Parking for the University/Parks Trail is available at: Tam-O-Shanter, McCord Road, Wildwood Preserve Metropark, Ottawa Hills Municipal Building, the University of Toledo Southwest Academic Center and Ottawa Park.
Nicely paved, well maintained.
I rode this trail for the first time a few days ago. It's great and well used. A trail is across the road at the western end point, which is a 1/2-1 mile long. Another cyclist said they hope to extend that trail. Parking at the western end point on King Road is only by businesses. Ask for permission since the signs say they will tow you away. I parked there along the trees with permission and had no problems. Try to take the time to go into Wildwood Preserve Metropark if you can. There is a nice 1.65 mile loop (Walk/Bike Path) there and a spur off of it through a covered bridge over the Ottawa River and beyond to Corey Road, called the Regional Walk/Bike Connector.
Love this trail! They clear snow off quickly and there is hardly ever any type of debris on the trail. The ability to ride from the University of Toledo to Wildwood Metropark is awesome!
I've been riding this trail for several years, it is a smooth asphalt ride and if you want to lengthen you trip you can do the trail inside Wildwood Metro-park. Weekends in summer in the park can be a bit challenging as everyone and their dogs are there, so lots of slowing down and weaving around people. However, the trail is smooth sailing and beautiful with even some unexpected wildlife to view.
My son and I use this trail when I come home to see my mom in Ottawa Hills. Perfect for a brisk walk any time of the year. The residents/walkers/joggers/bikers are very courteous of one another. Anyone living along this trail are really blessed to have it.
I ride this trail often taking the link to it out of Wildwoods metropark. It is a great trail with nice surroundings despite being in a well populated area. This is a trail that can be enjoyed as a leisurely ride or can be taken at a fair rate of speed and effort to enhance the cardio effect. This trail is a real gem in the Metroparks and University of Toledo fold. Most folks you meet on this trail are friendly and smiling which just makes it more fun to ride.
I work near this trail and try to ride everyday on lunch. It really helps break up the monotony of having a desk job.
this is a great trail I am super excited there extending it close to my home. I will be able to ride out my front door to the other side of the city and back.
University Park Bike-Hike Trail
By budzenko on May 18, 2009
The pleasant suburban trail is maintained by the Lucas County MetroParks in the Toledo OH area.
The 6.3 mile trail is open each day 7AM until dusk all tear round. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
The trail a converted rail bed and is very level with slight on and down grades throughout. The east end of trail is at the University of Toledo and the west end of the trail is at King road in Sylvania Township. Access to Toledo's Wildwood Metro Park is major asset for variety, change of pace or a picnic.
Please refer to the trail map provided at the link below for an accurate representation. The mapping feature on the traillink.com is not correct.
http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/trails/display.asp?id=177&subj=trails
from the website: http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/trails/display.asp?id=177&subj=trails
University/Parks Trail
University/Parks Trail
The six-mile trail stretches from the University of Toledo campus to King Road in Sylvania Township. It offers a lush greenway through woodland, pasting meadows and wetlands. The level, paved path is suitable for joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters, and can easily accommodate wheelchairs.
The trail has several neighborhood access points, a trail connecting to the Wildwood Preserve Metropark trail system, and designated roadway connections to Ottawa Park, Olander Park and Westfield Shopping town at Franklin Park.
The University/Parks Trail is owned by Lucas County and maintained by Metroparks, the University of Toledo and the City of Toledo. Metroparks rangers and, in some sections, local jurisdictions patrol the trail.
Mileage: 6.3 miles, one-way
Parking:
Tam-O-Shanter
McCord Road
Wildwood Preserve
Ottawa Hills Municipal Building
University of Toledo Southwest Academic Center
Ottawa Park
Contact Wildwood Preserve Metropark
Office: 419.407.9700
Ranger Cell Phone: 419.270.7500
I am 54 yrs old and have been rollerblading the University Bike trail since it opened about 10 yrs ago. I am so grateful for it! I start at the U. of Toledo and blade to the King Rd end and back, about 12 miles. I feel like it is my friend and my home...I notice little things that change...a new plot of wild flowers, a new piece of fencing, a change in a home nearby, a fallen branch from a tree after a storm. It is beautiful and clean. I blade from an urban college campus into the suburban neighborhoods into the rural edge of the trail. each segment has it's own character, sounds, landscape and creatures. I have seen critters including snakes, rabbits, ducks, turtles, deer, dogs & cats of course, frogs, and many, many lovely birds. It provides me a time and place to rollerblade in safety and allows me to move into a cadence that becomes meditation.
To those who created this trail and maintain it, I am very, very thankful.
Toni Burger
The interactive map for this trail is incorrect. The trail actually follows the old rail spur than turns west between Central Ave. and I475. The rail spur that the map uses heading north east from there is still a semi active rail line.
"This trail is actually about 20 miles round trip if you start at Wildewood Park and ride all the trails inside of the metropark itself. Then you can go out on to the university/city trail and ride about 6 miles or so on prety much what appears to be an old rail trail. It is clean, nice, flat, level and in great condition for the most part. It goes through the UT campus and some real nice neighborhoods too. I suspect this would be an awsome ride on a fall day."
"This trail is fully paved and divided, and it runs from Sylvania through Wildwood Metropark to the University of Toledo. There is a suprising amount of wildlife to be seen (deer, snakes, rabbits, even a fox or two) around Wildwood.
Sunday afternoon traffic can be a bit heavy with inexperienced riders, but most evenings are O.K. Avoid the University area during the school year. Those kids have a tendency to just wander aimlessly into your path."
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