Thompson Trustee Proposes Nature Trail to Connect Library, Ledges Park
A flurry of development has been occurring in Thompson Township to the joy of its residents.
A flurry of development has been occurring in Thompson Township to the joy of its residents.
A newly-built library branch, a renovated car dealership converted to a thriving business, a new hardware and farm store and two new school locations under future development are among the recent projects taking place in the township.
The north section of Thompson’s Ledge Park will also soon undergo preservation efforts and a private company will be constructing a recreational camping facility in place of an old dilapidated one.
In 2018, Thompson Township Trustee Erwin (Kok) Leffel and his late wife, Lynne Leffel, envisioned projects like these with plans to combine culture, nature, education and opportunity.
Their vision was sparked by Francis Spatz Leighton, author and childhood resident, who left part of her estate to the township.
Although cancer took Lynne, Erwin would not let the plan die.
“I am trying to make Lynne’s dream a reality. This is my last ditch effort for her. The best way to help our town is to create places where people can meet,” he said of his wife’s plan.
At the recent meetings of both the Geauga County Public Library and Geauga Park District Commissioners, Leffel presented what he calls a “Cultural Nature Station.”
The plan is to connect the Thompson Library on Madison Road to Ledge Park on Thompson Road through a constructed nature trail.
Also part of the plan would be to build a free-standing outdoor nature building to house educational programing, cultural activities, nature exhibits and special events. This would align with the wishes of the trust created by Leighton, who had wished for Thompson’s children to have the benefits she had growing up of communing with nature and learning through reading.
To bring this proposal to life, several conditions must be met.
Leffel proposed the library initiate a land transfer to allow construction. The GPD, lacking any representation in Thompson’s northeast region of the county, could build the nature building, he said, adding the trust’s trustee, Richard Ivans, would have to agree to grant funds of $31,000 from the trust for building the trail.
Chris Hyatt, owner of Hemly Tool and Hemly Hardware has already agreed to provide an easement on his property to support the connecting trail, Leffel said. And Berkshire Schools must also agree to spend their portion of the trust.
The connecting trail and nature building would sit on property that formerly held the 1924 Thompson School. The trail would run to the back of that area.
Leffel outlined the myriad benefits of the proposal.
“This project is in keeping with the mission of the library — engage, connect, inspire. It obviously allows opportunity for programming, inspires children to learn and connects the wonder of the library with nature. “
Leffel pointed out the library’s property would also increase in value and the project would stimulate library patrons to commune with nature in a rural setting.
