Hoffman Forest MetroPark was originally purchased by Dr. and Mrs. Lowell Hoffman in 1976 and leased to Erie MetroParks beginning in 1995. In late 2015, with the help of Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Erie MetroParks permanently acquired the land, which continues to reflect the original owners' commitment to conservation and environmental education. Two intermittent branches of Old Woman Creek run through the property, placing it within a rare freshwater estuary with a wooded stream corridor. The area has a spring run of steelhead trout, and less common creatures found there over the years include mink, fox snakes, and box turtles. The stream area is also diverse in plant life. The park is a prime example of reforestation, with many white pine and red oak trees planted by Dr. Hoffman alongside many more than 100-year-old trees planted by early settlers for lumber use. It is also home to Ohio buckeye, spicebush, Osage orange, and paw-paw trees. In 2016, the Friends of Erie MetroParks adopted Hoffman Forest, added stairs to improve access to the PawPaw Trail, and uncovered the foundation of an old barn to create what is now called the Rustic Retreat near the parking lot.