Carriage Hill MetroPark is a Five Rivers MetroParks facility that offers a unique experience to visitors. Nestled within the park is the Carriage Hill Historical Farm, where living history comes alive through education efforts and preservation practices. And now, there’s even more to explore with the newly opened Carriage Hill Family Farm Trail.
The Carriage Hill Family Farm Trail allows visitors to take a step back in time and immerse themselves in the simpler life of a working farm in the 1880s. This 0.75-mile natural surface trail features interactive stops along the way, where visitors can envision the park’s history as the home of the Arnold Family, landowners from the 1830s to 1916.
If you want to experience the charm of the new trail, mark your calendar for the Small Farm & Food Fest happening this Saturday, August 3. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors of all ages can enjoy this free festival, which includes workshops, demonstrations, a pop-up farmers market, and the unveiling of the Carriage Hill Family Farm Trail.
To access the new trail, visitors will walk through the Carriage Hill Historical Farm, where they will encounter original and reproduction buildings that represent the 1880s. The farm is home to heritage animals and heirloom crops that were once found on the Arnold Family farm.
Beyond providing a glimpse into the farm life of the past, the Carriage Hill Family Farm Trail also connects visitors to other features within Carriage Hill MetroPark. This trail aligns with MetroParks’ sustainable trail initiative, which aims to minimize environmental impact while enhancing hikers’ experiences.
Points-of-interest along the trail include:
Truck patch gardens – This large traditional garden is filled with crops such as pumpkins, potatoes, beans, melons and more. Heirloom crops are planted in the spring to be harvested through fall. In the 1880s, the Arnold family loaded ripened produce into a wagon to be sold at market.
Arnold family cemetery – Generations of the Arnold family are buried in the family plot on the grounds of Carriage Hill’s historical farm, as was more customary in the 1800s. The family graveyard was started in 1840 with 10 family members and three children of neighbors buried at this peaceful spot over the proceeding 70 years.
Joseph Arnold House – In the 1800s, it was not uncommon for families to build houses close to their existing family. Joseph Arnold, the second son of Daniel Arnold, built a house on his father’s property in 1853.
Sugar camp – Each winter, the Arnold Family tapped more than 50 trees to collect sap to make syrup which would be sold at market. The process of boiling sap to make maple syrup was very laborious. Evaporator buildings, much like the one on the historical farm, helped the process.
Orchards – The restored orchard is similar to what one would have expected on a family farm in the 1800s. Apples, plums, cherries and peaches were planted in various locations, including the orchard. Planting fruit trees was a way for farmers in the bygone era to increase their land’s value.
Equipment graveyard – Old farm implements are tucked away along the Family Farm Trail. Rather than dispose completely of broken and outdated equipment, 19th century farmers resourcefully kept them to use for parts.
The Carriage Hill Family Farm Trail, which takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete, offers a captivating exploration of farm life, working animals, and historical farming practices. To enhance your experience, you can download MetroParks’ free mobile app, which allows you to navigate the trail with ease.
For even deeper insight into the farm’s history, be sure to visit the historical farm itself during Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 3 p.m. Here, MetroParks’ historical interpretive staff and volunteers provide ongoing demonstrations on topics like blacksmithing, textile work, and heritage cooking skills that were essential on a farm in the 1880s.
Carriage Hill MetroPark offers not only the historical farm and the Family Farm Trail but also various recreational opportunities such as 3.6 miles of natural surface hiking trails, fishing, horseback riding, and nature appreciation.
Carriage Hill MetroPark is located at 7850 E. Shull Rd. To learn more and plan your visit, visit metroparks.org/carriage-hill. Journey back in time to experience the fascinating history and natural beauty that this park has to offer.
