While Nov. 11 provides a designated day to honor living and deceased U.S. military veterans, come spring of 2022, there will be a picturesque place in central Geauga County to honor veterans every day of the year.
While Nov. 11 provides a designated day to honor living and deceased U.S. military veterans, come spring of 2022, there will be a picturesque place in central Geauga County to honor veterans every day of the year.
“We hope to create a place of honor, peace and tranquility amongst nature,” said Geauga Park District Executive Director John Oros of the creation of Veterans Legacy Woods. “We want Veterans Legacy Woods to be a place where veterans of all ages can reflect on their service while enjoying the park amenities with family, or taking a stroll or sitting on a park bench enjoying the solitude of nature.”
The nearly 200-acre park — formerly Wicked Woods Golf Course, at 14085 Ravenna Road in Newbury Township — was purchased in December 2018 by the GPD with the intent of restoring the lands to a more natural state.
“The development of this park continues to follow the mission of the park district by preserving over 3,782 feet of the main stem of the west branch of the Cuyahoga River, 29 acres of wetlands, 32 acres of woodlands and transitioning nearly 120 acres of mowed turf areas from the former golf course through meadow and reforestation initiatives like the work completed at Orchard Hills Park,” said GPD Director of Planning and Operations Matt McCue.
Prior to closing for construction, the one-time golf course became a popular walking place for park patrons exploring existing cart paths and fairways at their leisure off of state Route 44.
The improvements to the park currently under construction include an open-air pavilion with restrooms, performance stage, new accessible asphalt trail, an improved newly-paved parking lot with an entrance drive and site lighting, a central plaza space to honor branches of the military with a veterans walkway and tribute plaza, and a nature-based play area with a few veteran- and military-themed play structures.
The existing lodge that served as the former clubhouse banquet facility was upgraded with a new deck.
“The park is slated to open in January,” Oros said. “We are waiting on new doors for the lodge and hope to (officially) open (all amnetities) sometime in the first quarter of 2022.”
Oros said there are plans to redesign and reconstruct the old golf cart paths, as well.
“Our trails are widely popular with our residents and park guests,” he said. “An improved trail system will be a welcome addition. When completed, the park will offer nearly three miles of trails and beautiful views to residents to enjoy throughout the year.”
On a recent afternoon, Geauga County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell and GPD Commissioner Mario Innocenzi, both veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, visited the park during its construction.
Geauga County’s veteran population is estimated to be at more than 5,000.
“This is beautiful,” Innocenzi said, as he watched ongoing construction from the new deck of the lodge.
Grendell served as a captain in the U.S. Army on active duty for four and a half years — first, as a prosecutor and legal assistance officer with the 2nd Armored Division and then as an instructor with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School.
“It was an honor to serve in the defense of our country during the last years of the Cold War,” Grendell said. “We owe our liberty to those who have served our nation. It is gratifying to all who served to receive some annual recognition for our military service.”
He said naming the park for veterans is a fitting recognition and form of gratitude for all Geauga County veterans. He hopes special programs for veterans will be held at the park and GPD will work with the Geauga County Veterans’ Service Commission to use the renovated building as a gathering place for military servicemen and women, and possibly as a home to a future local veterans museum.
Innocenzi enlisted in the army in 1980 during peace time.
“I joined to get off the streets of Cleveland,” Innocenzi said. “Serving our country didn’t mean as much to me when I was in as it does now as an older wiser individual. When I was a young man, I joined because I had nothing going on. But, now I see that joining was one of the best things I ever did. I got to travel the world and learned about responsibility.”
Innocenzi comes from a long line of veterans, with a father who served during World War II.
“My hope for the park is that it becomes a place for veterans to go have peace and tranquility, and I wouldn’t even mind seeing a portion of the park used for putting up mini veterans homes for those who cannot afford to live on their own,” Innocenzi said.
Oros served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 through 1990 as a security police officer in the 416th Security Police Squadron at the former Griffiss Air Force Base northwest of Utica, N.Y.
“Those of us who have served know that each job in the armed forces is critical to our security and national defense,” Oros said. “It doesn’t matter what branch of service, each of us played a vital role in ensuring the freedoms our country enjoys today.”
He said it is humbling to recognize those who served before and after him.
“I’m particularly humbled to see our aging Korean and Vietnam War veterans,” Oros said. “Although they are older than me, we all recognize the sacrifice of service.
I try to make a point of thanking our older veterans and they thank me back. It’s extremely humbling to be thanked by those older veterans who sacrificed so much for our freedom.”
Each branch of the military will be recognized in the park’s central plaza as a focal point when entering the new park dedicated to its veterans.
“Our goal is to have a park for our county veterans and their families to enjoy and call their own,” Oros said. “This is our first park dedicated to the Geauga County veteran. We hope veterans of all ages will make many happy memories alongside their families in this special park.”
