Hisey Park
Jewel of the Little Miami River valley
Discover a tranquil oasis in the heart of the Little Miami River Valley. The central feature of Hisey Park is the historic Hisey Farm, including the adjacent barns and farmhouse, lovingly restored by descendants of the Hisey family. Nature trails wind among the park's 158 acres of forested hillsides and floodplain wetlands, and include an overlook with an expansive view of the scenic river valley.
Fred Bay Observatory
Discover the night sky during free stargazing events at the Fred Bay Observatory at Hisey Park. The observatory features a 16-foot dome housing a nine-inch refracting telescope that enables visitors view all of oiur solar system's planets as well as deep-space objects such as galaxies, nebulas, clusters, and stars.
Warren County Park District partners with volunteer members of the Warren County Astronomical Society to provide stargazing activities at the Fred Bay Observatory year-round.
Rustic Wedding SettingThe historic barns are available for rent as a rustic outdoor wedding setting. Whether you begin your ceremony in one of the historic barns, host your wedding on the beautifully manicured lawn, or recite your vows on the hillside gazebo surrounded by mature forest, your wedding at Hisey Park will create memories to last a lifetime. |
Southwest Ohio Rocketry Association (SORA)The Park District partners with SORA to offer sanctioned model rocket launches, usually on the first Sunday of each month from 1pm to 4pm. Model rocketry users must be members of SORA and participating in a SORA sanctioned event to launch at Hisey Park. Non-sanctioned model rocketry use is prohibited at all Warren County Park District parks. |
At a Glance
Location
5443 Middletown Road
Corwin, OH 45068
Activities
- Historic farmstead
- Hiking
- Picnic
- Dog park
- Baseball/softball
- Cycling
(Little Miami Scenic Trial nearby) - Weddings (rental)
Amenities
- Shelter (first come first served)
- Playground
- 4 ball diamonds
- Dog park
- Hiking trails
- Little Miami Scenic Trail (nearby)
Open daily dawn to dusk
Historic Hisey House and Farmstead
The Hisey House and Farmstead represents a legacy going back generations to some of Ohio's first Euro-American settlers. Like many early settlers, the Hisey family first settled on the East coast in Truro, Massachusetts. Later the family moved to North Carolina in the 17th century; from North Carolina to Kentucky following the War of Independence; and from Kentucky to the new state of Ohio after 1805. The first recorded deed to the Hisey family dates to 1809. In the same year, a small farmhouse, made from logs, was built on the land, a portion of which still survives. As with every American farmhouse, the house has changed through the decades reflecting the ongoing needs of its residents.
In 1867, Amanda Hisey Gard left an expanded farmhouse and the surrounding farm to her nephew, John Curtis Hisey. For the next 140 years, John Hisey's descendants continued to farm the land, growing corn, wheat and soybeans, raising horses, sheep and hogs as well as some cattle. Porches, rooms and outbuildings were added to and removed from the farmhouse as generations came and went.
In 1956, Clara Hisey converted the large farmhouse house into a double, adding a second staircase and kitchen so that her younger son who farmed the land and his family could live on one side, and she on the other. In 1998, the last Hisey grandchildren moved to a larger farm in Greenfield, Ohio, leaving the house vacant. In 2004, Clara's four children arranged for the Warren County Park District to acquire the farm and farmhouse as a public park. In 2022, Steve Brown, one of Clara's grandsons, renovated the interior to return it to a typical farmhouse feel.
The Hisey House is currenty not open to the public, but is used for scheduled park programs and events. To inquire about the Hisey House, please contact the Park District office.
More to Discover Nearby
Hisey Park shares a boundary with Caesar Creek State Nature Preserve, offering extended hiking opportunities.
The Little Miami Scenic Trail can also be accessed from Hisey Park, located only 750 feet west of the park entrance via Middletown Road.
