Geauga Park District Executive Director John Oros revealed the new 182-acre Kittredge property at 14849 Rock Creek Road in Hambden Township will be deemed Hambden Hills.
Geauga Park District Executive Director John Oros revealed the new 182-acre Kittredge property at 14849 Rock Creek Road in Hambden Township will be deemed Hambden Hills.
“We reached out to staff, most notably the naturalist department, and we kicked around some names for the property,” Oros said during the GPD Board of Commissioners’ meeting Dec. 18, referring to the property the district acquired Sept. 29 for $1 million.
“There’s some historical significance there dating back to two owners ago,” he said. “Mr. Chess Kittredge called it ‘Hambden Hills, population five.’ It must have been affiliated with his family members. We kicked around some other names like Bates Creek, but we decided to go with Hamden Hills.”
On Oct. 16, park commissioners passed a use agreement for the property with The Buckeye Retriever Club.
“Western Reserve Land Conservancy worked with Buckeye Retrievers Club to negotiate the purchase alongside Geauga Park District. Throughout the negotiations, the purchase was negotiated in good faith knowing the former uses of the property extended by owner Mr. (Jon) Kittredge to Buckeye Retriever Club would also be extended by Geauga Park District,” Oros said during the meeting. “Historically, Buckeye Retriever Club has maintained the meadows and ponds on the property. They will continue to maintain these areas for Geauga Park District. This will help Geauga Park District ensure we maintain a variety of quality habitats on the property.”
He added, “The property has been utilized by the club as a location to host and permit other organizations’ sporting dog field trials, training, events, hunt tests, all open to the public and other events and programs for the training of canine retriever breeds.”
The agreement will be for a period of 10 years and will automatically renew for successive terms of five unless either party gives the other a written notice of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end of the existing term.
The property will continue to be used as a dog training ground by club members and its invitees, and the club will continue to host events and seminars, as well as American Kennel Club and or Hunting Retriever Club public events and tests, Oros previously said, adding by acquiring the property, GPD is able to ensure its perpetual conservation and protection while also ensuring the club is able to continue using it.
