Located amidst business and commercial development in southeast Hamilton, 268-acre Gilmore Ponds MetroPark is a nature lover’s paradise. Abundant wildlife calls this preserve home, giving visitors using the miles of hiking trails, the newest extension of the Miami 2 Miami paved trail, plenty of opportunities for nature observation and study. Seasonal flooding of much of the acreage provides for the wetland character of much of this preserve, which has long been a popular destination for area birders. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has designated this park as one of its “Watchable Wildlife” viewing sites and Audubon Ohio has named it as an “Important Birding Area.” There are three loop trails for hiking at Gilmore, as well as an observation tower and two raised decks that provide good vantage points for nature watching in any season.
