Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 914 | | | Water, acres | 3 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 12 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 12 | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Camping | Primative, # | 15 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Horsemen Campsites, # | 15 | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Ice Skating | yes | | Accommodations | Restaurant | yes |
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks:
Mohican State Forest
Knox Lake State Wildlife Area
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Malabar Farm in Pleasant Valley was the dream of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Louis Bromfield. Today, visitors can see the house and farm existing just as they did in Bromfield's time. The outbuildings and pastures still house chickens, goats and beef cattle. The hills are ribboned with strips of corn, wheat, oats and hay while the scenic trails are adorned with nature's bounty. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| The natural features of Malabar Farm are representative of the diversity of the glaciated Appalachian Plateau region of Ohio. This area is renowned for its interspersion of woodlands, lakes, streams and bogs along with villages, fertile valleys, dairy and grain farms. Located in the Pleasant Valley of Richland County, Malabar's forests and fields offer visitors a glimpse of both the cultural and natural history of the area. The rolling countryside and fertile farmlands of Malabar recreate the pleasure of life on the farm while the wooded ridgetops support an abundance of natural wonders.
Glaciers pushed up and over the hills of the area depositing rich soils in the valleys. The woodlands are diverse with beautiful stands of beech and maple along with remnant stands of eastern hemlock in the ravines. Sandstone outcroppings adorn the slopes covered with ferns and mosses. Trillium, spring beauties and wild blue phlox carpet the forest floor. The woodlands are home to the wood thrush, barred owl, fox squirrel and raccoon while the fields support populations of bluebird, red-winged blackbird, cottontail rabbit and red fox. |
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| Camping: |
| A fifteen-site horseman's camp offers primitive camping for horsepeople as well as family campers. Fire rings, picnic tables, drinking water and latrines are offered. |
| Camping Accessories: |
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| Trails: |
| There are twelve miles of trail for the hiker or horseperson to enjoy. Trails traverse scenic fields and forests. |
| Trail Accessories: |
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| Area Activities |
| Family Outting | |  | Camp Patmos - Kelleys Island, OH
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
Web Site: http://www.camppatmos.com |
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| Picnicking: |
| A picnic area with tables, grills, drinking water and latrines is available. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Good catches of bluegill and catfish can be caught from the farm ponds at Malabar. A valid Ohio fishing license is required. |
| Fishing and Hunting Accessories: |
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| History of the Area: |
| In the rolling countryside of Richland County, Louis Bromfield, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and dedicated conservationist, created his dream -- Malabar Farm. Inspired by his love of the land, Bromfield restored the rich fertility of the farmlands and preserved the beauty of the woodlands. He built a 32-room country home, where his family, friends and neighbors could share the pleasure of life on the farm.
In his book, Pleasant Valley, Bromfield wrote, "Every inch of it (the house) has been in hard use since it was built and will, I hope go on being used in the same fashion so long as it stands. Perhaps one day it will belong to the state together with the hills, valleys and woods of Malabar Farm." Bromfield's prophecy came true in August 1972, when the state of Ohio accepted the deed to Malabar Farm. The state pledged to preserve the beauty and ecological value of the farm.
Earlier that year, Bromfield's legacy to future generations came close to being extinguished. Malabar Farm, owned and operated by the Louis Bromfield Malabar Farm Foundation for 14 years, was threatened with foreclosure. But the Noble Foundation, which held the mortgage, agreed to erase the mortgage and accrued interest -- about $280,000 -- when the state of Ohio accepted Malabar Farm as a gift to the people of Ohio.
From 1972 to 1976, Malabar Farm was operated jointly by Ohio's Department of Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture. Then in 1976, Malabar became one of Ohio's state parks. As a park, Malabar Farm is dedicated to perpetuating Bromfield's farming philosophies, preserving the Big House and its many artifacts, and providing a place where visitors can explore life on a farm and the beauty of nature. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Campgrounds | | | Camp Patmos - Kelleys Island, OH
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
Web Site: http://www.camppatmos.com |
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| | Conference Center | | | Camp Patmos - Kelleys Island, OH
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
Web Site: http://www.camppatmos.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Dine Out in Mansfield and Richland County - ? indicates that the restaurant is located in the Carrousel District. ALCOVE RESTAURANT (I-14) In business since 1911. Award winning restaurant and lounge. Banquet facilities (over 80 per... | | 2002 Clients/Projects - ... Project to begin in July, 2002. Malabar Farm State Park, Ohio. Develop an interpretive exhibit ... VC - final stages of installation. Malabar Farm State Park, Ohio. Develop an interpretive exhibit ... | | Barn Resources - ... or visit www.leelanau.com/leemuse. Malabar Farm State Park (Lucas, OH): This historic site features ... Louis Broomfield" 30 minutes. Available from Malabar Farm State Park, Lucas, OH. 419.892.2784 or ... | | Horse & Mule Trail Guide USA: Trails, Campgrounds, Overnight in Ohio - This page is for the state of Ohio and is a subpage of Horse Mule Trail Guide USA. ... ride but nobody uses it. Saddle Club Project ?? Malabar Farm State Park Lucas: Malabar Farm in Pleasant Valley was ... | | Museums Index: Alphabetical List of Museums in MuseumRegister?.com - MuseumRegister.com index: alphabetical list. One of the MuseumRegister.com main ... US Presidential Museum [Lyndon Baines Johnson]) M Malabar Farm State Park-Lucas, Ohio, U.S.A. (Biographical Literary ... | | Museums in The United States: Alphabetical List - Museums in the US: alphabetical list. A MuseumRegister category. Listing in Progress. ... Biographical Museum [Lyndon Baines Johnson]) M Malabar Farm State Park-Lucas, Ohio Mariners Museum (The) ... | | Stony Mountain Botanicals - Stony Mountain Botanicals - Over 400 bulk herbs bulk spices, nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies and essential oils. Our bulk herbs are non-irradiated and organic or wildcrafted when... | | Projects of the Timber Framers Guild - The Timber Framers Guild of North America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits, beauty, and practicality of a timber frame structure. Members are builders, architects,... | | Timber Framers Guild History - The Timber Framers Guild of North America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits, beauty, and practicality of a timber frame structure. Members are builders, architects,... | | VPA - Historic House Museums in Ohio - The Victorian Preservation Association's guide to historic house museums in Ohio. ... the year 900 Park Ave. W. (419) 522-0211 Malabar Farm State Park The Big House was Louis Bromfield's country manor. ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Malabar Inn Restaurant, located within the park, is a restored "stagecoach" inn built in 1820. Today, the inn is state-owned and offers home-cooked meals (click for menu), Tuesday through Sunday, May 1-October 31. The inn is also open on weekends in March and April. Group reservations are available April-December.
Nearby are Mohican State Park, Mohican Memorial State Forest, and Pleasant Hill Lake. For information on attractions in Richland County including Kingwood Gardens, Renaissance Theatre and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course contact Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, 52 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio 44902, (800) 642-8282.
Malabar Farm's Youth Hostel, administered by the Hostel International Organization, offers limited overnight accommodations. For information call (419) 892-2055.
Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve, north off State Route 13, is a mixture of mature beech-maple forest and swamp forest. Spring wildflowers are abundant. Visitation is during daylight hours only. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Kokosing Valley Camp & Canoe
25860 Coshocton Rd
Howard, OH
(740) 599-7056
| Whispering Hills RV Park
8248 State Route 514
Big Prairie, OH
(330) 567-2137
| Long Lake Park Campground
69 State Route 3
Lakeville, OH
(419) 827-2278
| Mohican State Park
3116 State Route 3
Loudonville, OH
(419) 994-4290
| Rainbow Springs Family Cmpgrnd
3435 State Route 3
Loudonville, OH
(419) 994-5095
| Pleasant Hill Lake Park
3431 State Route 95
Perrysville, OH
(419) 938-7884
| Blue Lagoon Campground
1597 State Route 97
Butler, OH
(419) 883-3888
| K O A
6918 Bunkerhill South Rd
Butler, OH
(419) 883-3314
| MWCD West Ranch
18352 Waterford Rd
Fredericktown, OH
(740) 694-1900
| Clearfork Marina & Campgrounds
7471 State Route 97
Mansfield, OH
(419) 884-2877
| Charles Mill Lake Park
1271 State Route 430
Mansfield, OH
(419) 368-6885
| Honeycreek Auto & RV Repair
1219 Honey Creek Rd
Bellville, OH
(419) 886-2777
| Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp
6500 Black Rd
Bellville, OH
(419) 886-2267
| Rolling Acres Mar-Bel Lakes
549 Township Road 761
Ashland, OH
(419) 945-2405
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Milt's Quick Stop
518 Mansfield Lucas Rd
Mansfield, OH
(419) 522-1040
| Robin's Nest
7471 State Route 97
Mansfield, OH
(419) 884-3650
| Mifflin Lakes Trading Post
60 Maine St
Ashland, OH
(419) 368-3956
| Grandpa's Tackle Box
17811 Buena Vista Rd
Fredericktown, OH
(740) 694-7385
| Big Pines of Pleasant Hill Inc
3911 State Route 95
Perrysville, OH
(419) 938-3474
| Tallmadge Pheasant Farm
14 County Road 1975
Jeromesville, OH
(419) 368-3457
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Walley World Resort Inc
16121 County Road 23
Loudonville, OH
(419) 994-4828
| Snow Trails: Ski Resort
Mansfield, OH
(419) 774-9818
| Clear Fork Ski Area
341 Resort Dr
Butler, OH
(419) 883-2000
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| Directions: |
| 4050 Bromfield Road Lucas, Ohio 44843 |
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