This had been my plan for over 2 months. The photographer had her Achilles tendon repaired in early June and I knew that her return to full hiking would be incremental. The Pin Oak Trail at Farbach-Werner was the first all-persons trail that Footpaths visited back in 2022, and I was confident that it would be an enjoyable and safe return to the trail for her. So when she was released from her walking boot on an August Thursday, we found ourselves on this paved trail on Friday. We were accompanied by our eldest daughter Caroline, which added to the fun.
The amazing thing about Farbach-Werner is that it is part nature preserve, part fitness/rehab facility. The asphalt trail is teaming with folks, mostly older singles and couples, working on maintaining their mobility amongst the beauty of this small nature preserve. It is an amazing island of flora and fauna surrounded by some of Cincinnati’s oldest suburbs. I wonder if the Werner family, who donated their 23 acre farm to Hamilton County in 1972, could have envisioned the hub of activity that it would become 50 odd years later.
When we pulled into the parking lot there were perhaps 30 cars, but the entrance to the campus, with the farmhouse and barn dating to the 1830’s, was surprisingly peaceful, with the native flowers enveloping the lot capturing our attention.
Our first stop was the pollinator garden – a somewhat manicured, well curated plot of native plants important to the life cycles of these creatures.
Wild Senna and Blazing Star
Downy Skullcap and Obedient Plant
An airy Whorled Rosinweed.
The photographer was back in her element with her camera in hand. One of the more interesting plants she captured was the Cup Plant that towered over us.
It is named for the cup-like structure that is present where the leaves attach to the stem. It is thought that the cups may serve several functions: To capture rainwater, to keep flower predatory insects from climbing up the stem, and perhaps as a nutrition source as insects that drown in the water can decompose to provide a nutrients for the plant. You do frequently see dead insects in the water.
The pollinators were out in force in the garden.
A Skipper on Meadow Phlox.
A Honey Bee on Orange Coneflower. Note the collection of pollen on its legs.
A Bumble Bee on Joy-Pye Weed.
Leaving the garden, while still on the asphalt path, we entered a medium aged mixed wood, where we noted a lovely collection of Virginia Knotweed. It is a shade tolerant understory plant that launches its seed when touched, giving rise to its other name – Jumpseed.
On the edge of the wood we noted this Jack-in-the-Pulpit seedhead on display, long after the leaves had withered away.
On the small preserve is a woodland pond that is teaming with wildlife, especially turtles.
They all appeared to be Red Eared Sliders.
Also noted in the wetland were a number of dragonflies, such as this Blue Dasher.
On the far shore of the pond, we noted a cluster of Cardinal Flower, a somewhat rare wildflower that is generally found in wet soil along streams. The crimson flowers, with a long tubular structure, are almost exclusively pollinated by hummingbirds.
After weaving our way through the woodland we found ourselves on the edge of a small prairie.
Here we elected to leave the asphalt and walk the mowed grass path. We were struck by the profusion of golden wildflowers.
Goldenrod and Ashy Sunflower
Patridge Pea and Primrose.
Whorled Tickseed
The prairie of course is also about pollinators and several were noted.
Resting above this pollinator smorgasbord was this Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
A Bumble Bee on an Ashy Sunflower.
A Skipper on Ashy Sunflower.
This photo of a seedhead of an Ashy Sunflower is fascinating. Inside each of the pockets is a tiny sunflower seed for the birds to feed on. Over one hundred on this single seedhead.
Lastly I enjoyed seeing these two Viburnums in close proximity. Both are an important food source to the bird population.
Cranberry Viburnum and Arrowwood Viburnum
In summary, the photographer’s return to hiking at Farbach-Werner, while measured, was a tremendous success. When we visit here I am always taken aback by the tremendous public utilization of this community greenspace. The Great Parks of Hamilton County has packed a lot of nature into these 23 acres and I believe that is what brings people here. Its not just a walk, its a walk through an ever-changing, beautiful landscape.
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Photo credits to Peggy Juengling Burns and Caroline Burns Grizzle.
Overview:
Location – 12 miles north of downtown Cincinnati.
Parking – Large well maintained asphalt lot.
Facilities – In the Nature Center.
Trail Conditions – The majority is a asphalt trail in good shape and the prairie path is mowed grass. There are two side sections of well maintained gravel path.
Print Map Link – https://res.cloudinary.com/govimg/image/upload/v1615483891/5a5f7a6b41a5361ef1395dbc/FWNP-pin-oak-trail.gif
Benches – many.
Kids – This is an ideal place to take kids as the terrain is flat. Numerous families with strollers use the area as well.
Dogs – Welcomed on a leash.
Suggested Paired Hikes – Several other Hamilton County Parks are nearby including Sharon Woods, Winton Woods, and Glenwood Gardens.
Links:
https://www.greatparks.org/parks/farbach-werner-nature-preserve/