The Park District has applied and received funding from an ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft Paddling Enhancement Program Grant to secure canoe and kayak access on Big Darby Creek. This grant offers 100% reimbursement in an effort to develop or improve recreational boating access for “hand powered watercraft.” This Project is in partnership with the Pickaway County Commissioners and the Pickaway County Engineers and is located at Scioto Darby Road, which is the same location of the new bridge put in by the County in 2017. The project was completed in mid August of 2021 and is open to the public. This site does not allow trailers and has roughly 10 parking spaces. Please remember to pack in and pack out your trash. To protect our National Scenic River, which is home to several endangered and threatened species, and to minimize habitat disturbance please do not paddle when flow is below 150 CFS. Please check Here before planning a float. The next take out is approximately 18 miles down stream so please plan accordingly.
The Pickaway County Park District, in coordination with the Pickaway County Commissioners, the Pickaway County Engineer and Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, put in a second grant application for ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft Paddling Enhancement Program to request funds to establish a canoe and kayak access into the Big Darby Creek at the intersection of S.R. 762 and Darby Creek Road on Franklin Metro Park’s Property. The proposed project was not funded by the State and is currently on hold. The District is currently looking at other sites along the Big Darby to create paddler access.
The District is still working with landowner Jim Cook on a location a crossed U.S. 23 from the previously discussed location off little Walnut Road with access to Little Walnut Creek to secure canoe/kayak access. This new location, in the southern portion of Cooks Creek Golf Course, will have more parking than the previously discussed location on the other side of the road. This site will also have overflow parking options for busy weekend and access to one of the southern lake for canoes and kayaks.
We are working to secure additional access points along the Scioto River and Darby Creek for Canoe and Kayak access. We are having discussion with several entities to procure easements along both of these waterbodies.
