Big Creek Park is a 642-acre wooded tract in Chardon Township. Scenic Big Creek bisects the park from south to north, and with its many tributaries creates a landscape of varied relief. It is Geauga Park District's intent to protect this natural area in perpetuity.
This is a park with several entry points where trails on the west side don't necessarily connect with trails on the east side. In addition to the main entrance near the Donald W. Meyer Center, visitors can also enter via Tupelo Pond at 9373 Ravenna Road, enjoy the picnic area at Woodin Road Park at 12205 Woodin Road or, if trailing a horse for a ride, access the horse trail at 12000 Woodin Road.
In 1926, Samuel Livingston Mather purchased almost 1,000 acres of land in Chardon Township with hopes of creating a high-class resort. The onset of the Depression, however, shattered his dreams. Because of Mather's desire to see the area preserved, 505 acres were donated to the State of Ohio in 1955. After the park's creation, newly-formed Geauga Park District entered into a lease agreement with the state in 1965. Several adjoining parcels were later acquired to bring the total to 642 acres. In 1990, the state officially transferred ownership of the leased portion to the Park District.
