Ross County & Chillicothe — This spring, the Ross County Park District unveiled their mobile “Wilderness on Wheels,” which is now making its rounds. Part of their “Kids Nature Zone” program, the van and trailer was first introduced on a warm spring day.
On April 17th, 2026, kids of all ages explored the W.O.W. trailer at the Coppel Athletic Complex near the end of Western Avenue on the edge of Chillicothe.
Executive director Miranda Vance was at the ribbon cutting, along with Park District mascot Ash the Fox. Vance said they were working on a way to take the park district out out to people, and they started with the van that now tows the W.O.W. trailer.
Vance said the Park District started their “Kids Nature Zone” concept about a decade ago, with the idea that children need to be outside and appreciate nature. It wasn’t a place then, but they now have the KNZ trail at Buzzard’s Roost…and W.O.W is now a mobile part of the Kids Nature Zone.
The Park District also held a grand opening of the Gary A. Merkamp Environmental Learning Center, a.k.a. “The Den,” on May 15th at Buzzard’s Roost. The former “A-Frame” house now has interactive games and toys, books, and an outdoor deck with seating and an overlook.
The Kids Nature Zone trail can be followed from the main parking lot to The Den, and offers a storybook trail, “fairy house,” and other interactive features.
Open house “Den Days” are 9am to 8pm on July 1st, 8th, 11th, and more.
The “Wilderness on Wheels” trailer welcomes children with an interactive wall on one side, hands-on toys and learning tools on the other, and a diorama in its nose. Other interpretive items are carried in the van that tows it. A pull-down screen allows for presentations and slide shows, including adult programming.
Vance said W.O.W. isn’t available for private events, but might be available for schools, organizations, and festivals.
W.O.W. is “on the prowl” now, and will be at the Frankfort Library Branch at 167 Springfield Street in Frankfort today, June 30th, from 2 to 4pm.
On July 7th, it will be at the Kingston Library Branch at 29 North Main Street in Kingston from 2 to 4pm, and then on July 11th at the Chillicothe Farmers Market again from 8am to noon…and more.
The 43-acre Coppel Athletic Complex at the end of Star Drive off Western Avenue / U.S. 50 offers soccer fields, a playground, a one-mile walking trail, a disc golf practice basket, a kayak take-out on the North Fork of Paint Creek…as well as the trailhead for the Paint Creek Recreational Trail that goes to the east end of Chillicothe and Washington Court House.
Vance said a fitness trail will be installed later this summer, and they will be installing “real flush toilets” instead of portable ones.
The Coppel Athletic Complex also hosts the “School’s Out-Side!” program every Wednesday from 11am to noon through July 29th:
“The best classroom has no walls! Join Naturalist Ted for Schools Outside! Each week, we will focus on a different nature topic and learn something new! We will do 20 mins of educating, 20 mins of exploring, and 20 mins of hands-on/crafts! No fee required and all supplies provided!”
The Ross County Park District has a website and Facebook page.
