Defiance - 2003 Community & Resource Guide

Many of the Defiance area’s recreational and cultural opportunities have their roots in Defiance’s location at the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee rivers. State Route 111 provides a scenic route for viewing the Auglaize; one can enjoy the beauty of the Maumee River along State Route 424. There are public boat ramps at Pontiac Park and Independence Dam State Park, and there are numerous parks and historic markers along the riverbanks. The Tiffin River, also known as Bean Creek, is an excellent canoeing stream.

The Defiance Parks Department maintains approximately 150 acres of parkland to provide public opportunities to bike, hike, fish, picnic, play ball, swim or just enjoy the beautiful scenery. Among the events held in the city parks are “Cruizin’ in the Park,” a Farmers Market, Art in the Park, a July 4th fireworks celebration, Family Fun Night, tennis lessons and tournaments, sand volleyball tournaments, a luau party, and the punt, pass and kick competition.

The Kids Creation Playground in Diehl Park is unique. It was designed by the children of the community and constructed in six days by a massive community effort of over 1,200 volunteers. A grassroots effort raised more than $150,000 to build and maintain the playground.

At Independence Dam State Park, located about 3 miles east of Defiance, visitors can see the original dam that supplied water for the Miami-Erie and Wabash canal systems. The park features tent and RV camping, boat ramps above and below the dam, picnicking, fishing, and hiking trails.

More camping is available at Powell Creek Campground, located 4.5 miles south of Defiance, and at Shepherd’s Pasture, located 6 miles west.

The Defiance Area YMCA has become a full-service facility that meets the recreation and fitness needs of the residents of northwest Ohio. This $4,000,000 facility houses two gymnasiums, two racquetball courts, a weight room, a walking/jogging track, a fitness center, two swimming pools and a childcare facility.

Public golf courses in the Defiance area include St. Michael’s Golf Course, Auglaize Country Club and Hickory Hills Golf Club. There is a private golf course at Kettenring Country Club. Additional area establishments offer driving ranges, miniature golf courses and a go-cart track. There are also four bowling alleys in the Defiance area.
A high level of cultural activities enrich the lives of Defiance residents. Defiance College presents the Schomburg Series, which features skilled professional performances. This program has provided opera, ballet, symphony, solo performances, chamber group concerts and theatrical events to appreciative Defiance audiences.

The students of Defiance College present three plays annually. The college’s chamber singers, choir and jazz band perform both on- and off-campus.

The Fort Defiance Players, a community amateur theatrical group, has over 100 members and presents four shows annually. Defiance College and area high schools present drama and music throughout the year.

Civic and social organizations abound in the Defiance area, from the American Association of University Women, American Legion and Am Vets at the beginning of the alphabet; to the Lions Club, Marine Corps League, Maumee Valley Car Club, Moose Lodge, Northwest Ohio Rivers Council and Optimist Club in the middle; to the United States Coastal Auxiliary, United Way, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Volunteer Connection at the end. There are also active 4-H, Girl Scout and Boy Scout programs in the Defiance area.

The Defiance Public Library is situated at the west end of Fort Defiance Park, immediately adjacent to the earthwork remains of the old fort. The original library building, constructed in 1904 as a Carnegie Library, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Two additions on either side of the original structure emphasize the mottled red sandstone facade and the red, green and chocolate-colored glazed-tile roof. The library is a cultural center in the community, providing a large collection of books, newspapers, magazines, films, videocassettes, records, audiotapes and other materials. The library’s Ohioanna Room contains numerous materials and artifacts covering local history and genealogy.