Geauga Park District will be showing its gratitude to U.S. veterans by naming a new park in honor of those who have or are serving the military.
Geauga Park District will be showing its gratitude to U.S. veterans by naming a new park in honor of those who have or are serving the military.
The 180-acre park, to be deemed Veterans Legacy Woods, was formerly Wicked Woods Golf course at 14085 Ravenna Road in Newbury Township.
The park district purchased the land in December 2018 from Ed and Connie Babcock with the intent of restoring it to a more natural state.
“Their passion for parks, nature and strong desire to protect the land for future generations of county residents were instrumental in the district acquiring the land,” said John Oros, Geauga Park District executive director.
Both Oros and Geauga County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Many neighboring parks have a dedicated veterans park.
“Geauga Park District has yet to dedicate a park to our veterans,” Oros said. “The concept was raised by Judge Grendell, the board of park commissioners and myself.” They then solicited residents to choose from three names for the park, after which Veterans Legacy Woods was chosen.
“Personally speaking, I like the choice,” Oros said. “The word legacy recognizes the profound contribution of our armed forces veterans.”
Grendell added, “Most counties in Ohio dedicate a park to honor the service and sacrifice of their veterans, and given that Geauga County’s veteran population is over 5,000 strong, it seemed fitting to have a park dedicated to Geauga County’s veterans. It is important to have a place of beauty and tranquility in recognition of Geauga County’s veterans, who gave so much for our freedom and some who still suffer today as a result of their service.”
Grendell served on active duty for four and a half years as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, a specialty concerned with military justice and military law. During this time, he served as prosecutor/legal assistance officer for the 2nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas.
Park district Chief Naturalist John Kolar led a hike at the park Aug. 21.
Grendell joined, as well as park volunteer and veteran Doug Hodakievic.
“I think it is special because it is the only park in the area being devoted to veterans,” Hodakievic said.“I think it will be neat to have in the future the ability to plant trees as a memorial to veterans by their families as Judge Grendell stated he would like to see in the future. It will be neat to see the changes that will happen to change the park from a golf course to a memorial park.”
The naturalist department plans to utilize the park in many ways with a variety of school programs.
“It will be an educational classroom for many generations to come,” Kolar said.
Kolar said having open parks, like Veterans Legacy Woods, spread around Geauga County allows schools to send students on field trips to explore the natural world.
“Now-a-days, there’s a park just a short drive from every Geauga School,” Kolar said.
“We help make nature accessible to every Geauga student and resident.”
Oros said the park location is special.
“The park entrance is located off state Route 44 in central Geauga County,” Oros said.
“It is close to Newbury, Chardon, (University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center) and Newbury Business Park. We are seeing employees of various businesses, including UH Geauga hospital take advantage of hiking the trails on hilly terrain in order to get their daily dose of exercise.”
The park will also be used for special events and public programs.
Existing cart path mileage is 4.5 miles traversing former picturesque fairways.
The eastern portion of the property has a major stem of the West Branch of the Cuyahoga River. This section of river has great bio-diversity in a variety of plant and animal species, Oros said.
There are also remnant cold-water spring seeps and small streams on the property, which are somewhat uncommon in Ohio, he added.
“Although the property will no longer be utilized as a golf course, we are excited about the opportunities to develop a Master Plan for the park that pays tribute to our armed forces veterans,” Oros added. “The Veterans Hike is just a part of what we hope to accomplish. Each year, starting two years ago, we hold a picnic for veterans on Flag Day at one of our newest parks open to the public. “
Last year, it was held at Claridon Woodlands. This year, Holbrook Hollow.
“We will see our veterans next year at a new lodge we are building at an old park with plenty of history and nostalgia, Big Creek Park,” Oros said. “We’ve seen the excitement generated by our two newest parks in Claridon Woodlands and Holbrook Hollows. We hope to exercise the same passion as staff that will result in the same excitement for Veterans Legacy Woods. Much like our veterans, we as staff hope to set the bar high in creating a park our veterans will be proud to call their own.”
He added, “If it wasn’t for fellow veterans, particularly war-time veterans, we wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today. This great system of parks in Geauga County that serves all of our residents is a tremendous legacy left to us by our veterans.”
