Bronson Park

This wooded area on the southwest side of the city borders the Auglaize River. Available for use are 3 covered shelter houses, 2 ball diamonds, an outdoor basketball court, sand volleyball courts and playground equipment.

Kingsbury Park

A centrally located park on the east side of the city provides a beautiful view of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers. Enjoy 6 covered shelter houses, playground equipment, a baseball diamond, 2 tennis courts and a basketball court. Children of all ages will love the water slide at Kingsbury Pool and Wading Pool located next to the park.

Veterans Memorial Grove Park (Latty’s Grove)

Mature trees shade this centrally located park on the south side of the downtown area. Two covered shelter houses, a ball diamond, playground equipment, basketball court, a tennis court, and updated rest room facilities are available for an afternoon of leisure.

Diehl Park

If you are looking for a park made with kids in mind, Deihl Park is a must see. Located on the northwest side of the city, with two large covered shelter houses, a basketball court, four softball fields and a baseball diamond, it is sure to keep the sports minded occupied. The biggest attraction is the Kid’s Creation Playground that provides kids with an opportunity to use their imagination as they run through the fort or sit in the Native American teepee.

Canal Park

Get a glimpse of the bygone days of Defiance with a visit to the restored Canal Lock and Amphitheater located on Third and Perry Streets.

Pontiac ParkPontiac Park

A beautiful park situated beside the Maumee River on East River Drive. This park also has a splendid view of the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers and provides a peacefulness that is perfect for a relaxing picnic. It is the site of the Old French Indian Apple Tree Marker and the possible birthplace of the Ottawa Indian Chief Pontiac. Additional highlights of this park include the Zonta Fountain and a large gazeebo located near the boat ramp.

Holgate Park

A lovely neighborhood park that is located in the historical district on Holgate Avenue. Beautifully landscaped with a Victorian Gazebo and a walking path. A baseball diamond, basketball court and playground equipment can occupy an entire family with an afternoon of fun.

Riverside Park

This park is a sportsman’s dream with a baseball diamond, multiple soccer fields, and a football field. There is also a shelter house and updated restroom facilitiy. This is the place to be in Autumn to catch a glance of the up and comers in our area school sports programs.

Triangle Park

Located at Clinton and Arabella Streets, landscaped with trees and flowers, this is a special place to sit and enjoy the surroundings as time passes by. Volunteer groups plant five flower beds each spring.

Reservior

There is a 9 Hole Frisbee Golf Course, a 1¼ mile stone walkway around the top of the reservoir with 6 benches along the walk and another at the handicapped parking near the boat ramp. 10 space stone parking lot for boats, boat docks for boats for fishing and a sledding hill with lights located off Kibble road.

Independence Dam State Park

This park is located approximately 3 miles east of defiance on St. Rt. 424 and offers recreational opportunities including boating access, hiking trails, camping, fishing, scenic drives, and picnic areas. A hiking trail, once the towpath for the Miami/Wabash/Erie Canal, meanders between the old canal and the river for a distance of three miles ending in Florida, Ohio. This trail offers imaginative trips into the colorful past of Ohio’s canal era.

All shelter houses are a first come, first serve basis unless they are reserved. Reservation fee charged.
Ball fields are also available for private rental when not reserved by city leagues.
Pool admission charged.

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Auglaize Village

This historical village was started in June 1966 . Visitors become uniquely involved in the recreation of the 19th century history. Along with its 41 new, restored and reconstructed buildings the village also has several museums. Every year there are special event days where authentically costumed craftsmen demonstrate a wide variety of pioneer skills. Located 3 miles west of Defiance on Krouse Road.

Canal Mule Bridge

Constructed in the 1840’s, it provided passage over the Maumee River just for the mules and their drivers, the canal boats entered into the river. On the north side of the river the drivers and mules walked along the riverbank. The canal boats re-entered into the canal system just above the Independence Dam.

Defiance College

Chartered in 1850, Defiance College is a four-year liberal arts-based college affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The college has been recognized by several publications including the John Templeton Foundation Honor Roll of the Nation’s Highest
Character-Building Colleges and is also a national leader in the service learning area. With 41 major areas of study leading to bachelor’s, master’s and associate degrees in education and business the college serves approximately 1,000 students. The college is a member of NCAA Division III, offering 18 men’s and women’s sports.

Defiance Public Library

Our library was built in 1904 with funds from a Carnegie Grant. This beautiful historic building is located on the site of Fort Defiance
along the Maumee and Auglaize River banks and allows visitors
to reflect on the county’s history.

Fort Defiance Flag Staff

All land north to Canada is surveyed on baseline running from this point.

Holgate Avenue

Architecture serves as a visual guide and time line of the styles and house types that were popular during the70-year period of development. Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Prairie, Craftsmen and Bungalow styles are all represented.

Major General Lawrence H. Livingston Highway

Harley Davidson Inc. named Route 424 between Defiance and Napoleon as one of the ten best touring roads in the United States. This 18 mile stretch past Independence Dam State Park follows the Maumee River and uses the old tow path of Miami-Erie and Wabash Canal systems for its road bed.

Miami & Erie Canal Lock No. 37

By 1845 the Canal was open extending from the Miami River to Lake Erie in Toledo, then from Toledo, westward to Ft. Wayne and Lafayette, In. Commerce flourished along the canal until the 1850’s when competition from the railroads emerged. Passenger boats were discontinued in 1862. By 1870 the Wabash and Erie Canal into Indiana was completely abandoned. The Miami and Erie Lingered on until major repairs were authorized and completed between 1906 and 1909. Only to be all but destroyed by the floods of 1913. By 1917 most of the bridges across the canal in the Downtown were removed. The canal was gradually filled and drained. The remains of the north end of the Maumee and Erie Lock #37 have lain exposed, until partially renovated in 1997.

The Huber Opera House and Civic Center

Built as a hotel in 1895 this structure became the try-out theatre for George H. Huber’s larger New York and Chicago theatres. After many years of housing different businesses in downtown Hicksville, the nostalgic feel of the Huber is being restored by a group of determined citizens . The unique facility has the seating capacity for 800 and is used for many community events and attractions as well as being home to the Hicksville Village Players.

The Tuttle Museum

The Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum has been created to foster
an understanding and appreciation of the diverse history of the City of Defiance and its immediate surrounding area by responsibly
collecting, preserving, interpreting and exhibiting items from the area’s natural and cultural history.

Riverside Chapel

A beautiful chapel built in 1890 contains the grave sites of veterans of 1794 and the War of 1812. Featuring a true Gothic ceiling and marble floor the “Little Gem of American Building” is available for small weddings , funerals and/or committal services.

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Bowling

C & H Bowling Lanes
1924 East Second St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-0881

Defiance Recreation
1923 South Jefferson St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-3666

Holiday Lanes
1601 North Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-8786

Golf Courses

Auglaize Country Club
19062 Road 212
State Route 111
Defiance, OH 43512
419-393-2211
www.auglaizegolf.com

Auglaize Golf Club is located south of Defiance, Ohio on the Auglaize River. The front 9 is completely surrounded by a body of water with many mature trees. Water can come into play on 13 of the 18 holes. The back 9 is more forgiving and open. There are 33 sand bunkers that come into play on the course. The greens are a bent/poa mix, fairways and tees are blue/rye/poa mix. The shapes and contours of the greens add the biggest challenge on the course. Auglaize is well maintained for any level of golfer to enjoy.

Eagle Rock Golf Club
211 Carpenter Road
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-2101
http://golfeaglerock.com/

Eagle Rock Golf Club is Northwest Ohio's newest public golf course. If it's a day out with friends, a family outing, or a corporate event, you can be assured it will be fun at Eagle Rock! Under new ownership and management, (formerly Kettenring Country Club), Eagle Rock offers a unique and pleasurable golf experience with friendly and expert service.

Hickory Hills Golf Club
1544 State Route 18
Hicksville, OH 43526
419-542-6400

The 9-hole "Hickory Hills" course at the Hickory Hills Golf Club facility in Hicksville, Ohio features 3,089 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. Designed by B.A. Brown, the Hickory Hills golf course opened in 1960.

Putt Putt Golf & Games
8830 State Route 66 North
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-1801
http://www.putt-putt.com/

Putt Putt Golf & Games offers many activites for all in the family which do include 18 holes of stiff competition putt putt, electric go-karts, and bat zone batting cages.

St. Michaels Golf Course
26298 Mekus Road
Defiance, OH 43512
419-497-3385

This public golf course offers 18 holes, pro shop and a dining facility.

Marinas

Five Span Marina
Auglaize River
19687 State Route 637
Defiance, OH 43512
419-393-2530
http://www.5spanmarina.com/

Welcome to Five Span Marina, your local Glastron runabout, Starcraft deckboat and pontoon, and Bombardier ATV dealer. We are also a full Mercury Marine Servicing Dealer.

Independence State Dam
Maumee River
27722 State Route 424
Defiance, OH 43512

591-acre Independence Dam State Park is situated along the banks of the beautiful Maumee River. The river is ideal for boating, fishing or a scenic canoe trip

Northtowne Mall

Northtowne Mall
1500 North Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-3189
http://www.shopnorthtownemall.com/

Northtowne Mall offers a variety of stores to meet all of the family’s needs. Other attractions include a food court and Northtowne Cinema 9 movie theatre.

Rivers

Maumee River
Scenic viewing route on U.S. Route 424 East – Public boat ramps at Pontiac Park and Independence Dam State Park. Numerous parks and historic markers are located on its banks.

Auglaize River
Travel State Route 111 for a scenic route to view the river. Public boat ramps at Pontiac Park and Five Mile Creek Access – Power Dam – ODOT Roadside Rest 1 mile north of Junction of State Route 111.

Tiffin River
Also known as Bean Creek Scenic River, this public access from the Maumee River and is an excellent canoeing stream. Still standing over the river is the “Old Dey Bridge” which is no longer used for motor traffic but is still available to hikers and tourists.

Theatre

Northtowne Cinema 9
Northtowne Mall
1500 North Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-6459
http://www.moviescoop.com/northtowne9

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