County Parks
Clairmont County maintains four public parks through the Board of County Commissioners. Parks are open to the public free of charge; shelter houses may be reserved in advance for a fee. All parks are open dawn to dusk, alcohol is prohibited, and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Sycamore Creek Park
Location: Marbury. Clairmont County’s largest park, Sycamore Creek Park offers two picnic shelters, a playground, walking paths along the creek, and a canoe and kayak launch. The launch provides access to a popular 4-mile paddle downstream to the Route 9 bridge; parking is available at both the park and the take-out point.
Fairview Lake Park
Location: Cedar Grove. Built around a 41-acre lake, Fairview Lake Park is stocked seasonally by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and includes an ADA-accessible fishing pier, a boat ramp limited to electric trolling motors, and a single lakeside shelter. No swimming is permitted in the lake.
Old Quarry Trailhead
Location: Averill. This trailhead is the county’s access point for a 6.2-mile crushed-limestone rail-trail segment built on the former Averill & Southern rail bed, popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The trailhead has a small gravel parking lot and a vault restroom but no shelter house.
Veterans Memorial Park
Location: Marbury. Home to the county’s veterans memorial plaza and two lighted ballfields used for adult softball leagues in the summer, Veterans Memorial Park also has a shelter house adjacent to the playground, suitable for family gatherings and team functions.
Shelter House Reservations
Shelter houses at Sycamore Creek, Fairview Lake, and Veterans Memorial parks may be reserved for a specific date. The Old Quarry Trailhead has no shelter and is not reservable. Fees are higher on weekends and holidays to reflect demand.
| Shelter | Capacity | Weekday Fee | Weekend Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore Creek Park – Shelter 1 | 75 persons | $45.00 | $75.00 |
| Sycamore Creek Park – Shelter 2 | 40 persons | $30.00 | $50.00 |
| Fairview Lake Park – Lakeside Shelter | 60 persons | $40.00 | $65.00 |
| Veterans Memorial Park – Shelter | 90 persons | $50.00 | $85.00 |
How to Reserve
Shelter reservations are taken by the Commissioners’ office and are booked on a first-come, first-served basis beginning each January 2 for the coming season. To reserve a shelter, call the Commissioners’ office at (740) 555-4601 with your preferred date, park, and an estimate of attendance. Payment is due at the time of reservation and reservations are not considered confirmed until payment is received. Reservations may be canceled up to 14 days in advance for a full refund.
Park Rules
- Parks are open dawn to dusk; gates are locked at closing.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all county parks.
- Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times; owners must remove waste.
- Motorized vehicles are restricted to designated parking areas and boat ramps.
- Ground fires are prohibited; charcoal grills are permitted in shelter areas only.
- Fishing requires a valid Ohio fishing license for anglers 16 and older.
Park hours and fees are set by the Board of County Commissioners and are subject to change by resolution; call ahead to confirm before planning a large event.
Page last updated: 04/03/2026