Home to many exotic plants, grasses and sedges, the largest sand dunes in Ohio belong to Oak Openings Metropark in Toledo.

From the sand base landscape, temperatures can reach up to a blistering 180 degrees Fahrenheit, making the habitat home to few, but very rare and exotic plant life.

The dunes, which were created from a lake receding after the last Ice Age, are home to several diverse plants including the prickley pear cactus, western sunflowers and various prairie grasses.

Not only are they historical, but the dunes are Ohio’s only home to the plants simple gratefurna and sand serviceberry. The two are also scarce throughout the world as fewer than five of each plant exists.

With Oak Trees surrounding the area, not only do the trees provide biodiversity, but the bark is used to set fires to the area which regenerate (or refuel) plants.

But humans play the most important part in maintaining the existence of these plants, Naturalist Education and Researcher for the Metroparks Bob Jacksy said.

Without the help of volunteers, Jacksy said the sand dunes and the various life forms living within the area would not exist.

‘Humans in this habitat are a keystone species. This is an ecosystem that depends on human beings,’ he said. ‘We have a responsibility as an animal to take care of this landscape.’

Not only are the dunes excellent for observing the rare plant life, but the area is also good for recreational bird gazers, Jacksy said.

From a park naturalist like Jacksy to a truck driver like Curtis Pulcini, anyone can enjoy what the dunes offer.

Pulcini said the park is a huge asset to northwest Ohio, as the home to such exotic birds he can observe on the weekends.

‘There are several species that only nest around here,’ he said.

Bordering the dunes is the bike trail and for those who don’t frequently visit the area, it can be a nice visual to glide by on a sunny afternoon.

‘It’s unique. It’s nice to see and look at,’ biker Alan Minnich said.

While the area is unique, the dunes are changing everday.

Because the dunes were formed from glaciers, they are constantly moving eastbound, Jacksy said. In the last 50 years, the dunes have moved 150 feet east.

But the area will continue to be one of the more unique features of the Toledo Metroparks.

Like Pulcini and Minnich, anyone can find some joy in the dunes one way or another, Jacksy said.

Jacksy, who is one of the leaders preserving the area, tries to have as many people share the same experience he has almost every day in the park.

‘When my friends come from out of town, I will always take them there,’ he said. ‘If you want to go to one place and see a lot of cool life and unusual places, the sand dunes (is where) you would want to go.’ ‘