About the Region

Metroparks and Lucas County are located primarily within the Maumee River Watershed, the largest in the Great Lakes Basin.

The Great Lakes are the largest system of fresh surface water on earth, containing approximately 21% of the world’s fresh surface water. Bordering Lake Erie, Toledo is a component of the Great Lakes basin. The Maumee and Ottawa River Watersheds, as part of this area, are all important pieces of our natural heritage.

Ecosystems in this region that exist as part of the Metroparks include: the Lake Erie Coastal Zone, the Oak Openings Region, the Great Black Swamp, and the Maumee River. The Metroparks are committed to preserving and restoring these habitats and sharing them with the community.