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This site, acquired in August
of 2008, opened to the public in June of 2009. A parking lot, with
picnic bench and grill, is located at 10855 Sapp Road, Gambier,
Ohio. Sapp Road is located between Caves and Stull roads.
The park was named Indianfield Bluffs
because the site contains the confluence of Indianfield Run with
the Kokosing State Scenic River. A high bluff on the property renders
awesome views of the Kokosing River, particularly during the winter
months when the wooded area is leafless. The 25.5 acre site contains
bluffs, floodplains, wetlands and an island. Reforestation efforts
on the site have been completed in former cropland areas, with thousands
of trees planted by park district staff and East Knox High School
students.
A 1.5 mile, double loop trail of steep
gradients and switchbacks is available for hiking. Towering sycamores,
testiment to days gone by, will greet the hiker on the westernmost
loop. Read
an article regarding the site, courtesy of the Mount Vernon News.
In the History of Knox County,
Ohio: Its Past and Present (1881), the following passage is
found regarding Indianfield Run (and our park):
"At the mouth of this stream
the Indians had cleared a large amount of land, on which they
raised much corn, and the stream was so named from this fact."

Kokosing River at Indianfield Bluffs
Park
The acquisition was made possible
through a grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission and Ohio Division
of Wildlife and willing sellers, Roger and Kathy Sherman. The acquisition
protects nearly 500 lineal feet of Indianfield Run, 1,156 lineal
feet of Kokosing River oxbow and 3,186.6 lineal feet of the Kokosing
River mainstem. The state endangered hellbender salamander was found
in close proximity to the site, and a pair of bald eagles nests
about half a mile upstream of the site.

The island within the park is named
"Cedar Waxwing Island," since these beautiful birds inhabit
the island and riverine environs.

Cedar Waxwing (photo
courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

View of the "rain rocks"
along the Kokosing River at Indianfield Run Park

Sandstone outcrop along the Kokosing
River at Indianfield Run Park

Thallose liverworts along the Kokosing
River at Indianfield Run Park
“Residents have Knox County
have indicated their strong desire for the park district to acquire
more parkland and protect greenspace,” said Kim Marshall,
Director. “This acquisition represents the Knox County Park
District’s commitment to afford quality recreational opportunities
to the residents of Knox County.”
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