Cullen Park

History

Cullen Park was originally the site of Willow Beach, an amusement park that operated from 1929 to 1949. In 1954, the City of Toledo purchased the 13-15 acre property for $50,000 and named it Cullen Park in honor of Edward D. Cullen, a former city councilman.

Location and Features

Located in the Point Place neighborhood of Toledo, Ohio, Cullen Park sits on the shores of Maumee Bay, which connects to Lake Erie. The park's most prominent feature is a long, narrow man-made peninsula that extends over half a mile into Maumee Bay, offering excellent views of the water.

Recreation Activities

Cullen Park provides direct boating access to western Lake Erie via its boat launch facilities. The park is popular for fishing, especially in late fall and spring when large numbers of diving ducks, particularly Lesser Scaup, gather in the bay.

The heavily vegetated peninsula can also attract songbirds during migration periods, making it a good spot for birdwatching.

Birding Opportunities

As an official stop on the Great Lake Erie Birding Trail, Cullen Park offers opportunities to observe various bird species across different seasons. Some notable birds that can be seen include Blackpoll Warblers, Dunlins, and Canvasbacks in spring; Warbling Vireos and Ospreys in summer; and Greater Scaups and Yellow-Rumped Warblers in winter.

Recent Improvements

In 2023, new flush restrooms were installed to better serve park visitors engaged in boating, fishing, and other activities.