HomeOhioVan Wert › Franklin Park

Franklin Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 305 Google reviews · Running trail in Van Wert, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Franklin Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Dog-friendlyRestroomsWater

What runners say about Franklin Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (305 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 8 mentions

“The pavilion is very big and nicely set up with chairs for relaxing and local artwork on the walls, restrooms were pretty clean.”

Love this new park, the splash pad was def needed in town.. the new playground equipment is awesome, esp the fact it's not wood chips. Tho the surface gets very hot in summer. The pavilion is very big and nicely set up with chairs for relaxing and local artwork on the walls, restrooms were pretty clean.

★★★★☆ — Cindy , Dec 2019

Excellent smooth walking paths, two age appropriate playgrounds for little and big kids, a large green space and skateboard park. There is also a large pavilion with two grills, picnic tables and bathrooms. In the summer, the splash pad is open and conveniently close to the pavilion.

★★★★★ — Emily , Jan 2019

This is a wonderful addition to the community. There are 2 play areas, a skate park, small splash pad, basketball and pickleball courts, an open grass area, and a very nice pavilion. The perimeter also is paved sidewalks for walking. The bathrooms seem well maintained. Overall, this is an excellent park.

★★★★★ — Wendy , Aug 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 305 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🚻 Restrooms 8 mentions

“It's a very nice park the bathrooms could use a changing table so u don't have to lay your baby's on the floor or on the tables to change them.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Great for dog walks, they installed dog waste stations & low bowls for dogs attached to drinking fountains.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Great for dog walks, they installed dog waste stations & low bowls for dogs attached to drinking fountains.”

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Plan your run at Franklin Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitevanwert.org

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Franklin Park

305 Frothingham St, Van Wert, OH 45891

Get directions

Running trails near Van Wert

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Hiestand Woods Park and Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Van Wert, OH

BoardwalkLitDog-friendly

1.2 miles away

1.5 miles away

Smiley Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 97 reviews

Van Wert, OH

LitScenic

1.5 miles away

3.7 miles away

St Mary's Nature Preserve/River Greenway Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

Decatur, IN

Paved

18.0 miles away

American Legion Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 231 reviews

Decatur, IN

Shaded

Grassy area offering slides, swings and other equipment for kids, plus a volleyball court.

18.3 miles away

All running trails in Van Wert, OH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.