Tucked away in the northern part of Mill Creek Park stands a handsome stone mansion donated to the Park in 1968 by the children of the late Judge John W. Ford. The Ford Nature Education Center opened to the public in 1972 as the headquarters for the Park’s nature education programs. 

The naturalist staff at the Ford Nature Center offers a variety of programming throughout the year including hikes, school programs, workshops, and special events. 

Display areas at the Ford Nature Center include the Habitat Room which depicts plants and animals of four local habitats, the Discovery Room where children can use their senses to learn about the natural world, and a Live Animal Room with turtles, snakes, and other animals native to northeast Ohio.

The Ford Nature Center also houses the Vickers Memorial Library, a bird observation area, the Teachers’ Resource Center, and a gift shop. The grounds include wildlife gardens and walking trails. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll on the Virginia J. Axtmann Nature Trail For All People, a barrier-free trail with interpretive signs. Arrangements for group tours and guided nature walks can be made by calling this facility.