Equestrians and hikers have a new reason to celebrate this winter season with a trail ready to explore at Geauga Park District’s The West Woods in Russell Township.
Equestrians and hikers have a new reason to celebrate this winter season with a trail ready to explore at Geauga Park District’s The West Woods in Russell Township.
Through a grant from Foundation for Geauga Park’s Bridle Trail Fund, GPD completed construction on a new 1.2-mile Tulip Trail (loop) on the Gallo property adjacent to The West Woods.
“This latest project is a proud milestone in supporting outdoor recreation and local conservation, enabling more residents to enjoy and explore our scenic bridle trail network,” FGP Executive Director Christine Davidson said.
FGP is a nonprofit, charitable foundation formed to provide funding mechanisms that create opportunities for nature conservation, education, recreation and relaxation for all parks and greenspace initiatives in Geauga County.
“We fund projects that fit into one or more of these four categories,” Davidson said. “While we place particular value on projects that preserve and conserve natural spaces for the long-term benefit of our community, we also value the opportunity to educate people and celebrate our county’s natural assets, character and history.”
In July 2023, GPD approached the Geauga County Chapter of the Ohio Horseman’s Council and FGP regarding plans for a new bridle trail.
GPD applied for a grant to FGP’s Bridle Trail Fund, established in 2010 in partnership with the GOHC to strengthen collaboration with the equestrian community and expand and protect bridle trails across Geauga County. The application provided plan drawings and a proposed budget for construction.
After reviewing the application, GOHC approved the plans and the FGP Board of Trustees voted in favor of awarding $57,000 to the park district for construction of the trail, which began this year.
The new Tulip Trail — aptly named for the second largest tulip tree in the State of Ohio which can be seen from the trail — provides an additional 1.2 miles of riding trail to the 4.8 miles currently at The West Woods.
The tulip tree, which stands approximately 175 feet tall with a crown spread of 89.15 feet and circumference of 181.2 inches, was the winner of Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District’s Big Tree Contest in 2022.
GPD has eight parks that have equestrian trails, totaling more than 27 miles.
“The West Woods is the premiere riding park in Geauga County,” said Michelle Rossman, GOHC membership chair and trail liaison.
When the park was designing the new trail, Rossman met with GPD Executive Director John Oros and GPD Deputy Director Matt McCue to provide input on their plan — including width of trail, type of footing and canopy height.
“The trail is beautiful,” Rossman said. “The footing is perfect for horses — no large gravel. Instead, limestone screenings with a base that drains. One of the fantastic aspects of the trail is the varied terrain and diverse flora. There is a section of the trail which transverses a spectacular area of what must have been a tree farm. As one moves through this area, it is like a tunnel filled with a delightful aroma of pine.”
Davidson said GOHC’s Bridle Trail Fund is a donor-designated fund that provides for maintenance and development of bridle trails open to the public.
“The fund began with a $1,000 contribution and through investments in high quality securities, along with annual donations to the fund, it has grown to nearly $86,000,” Davidson said. “FGP holds these funds on behalf of GOHC and while FGP is the entity that expenses the funds when needed, it has always and will continue to seek input and collaboration from our trail-riding park patrons — most especially the GOHC club — on bridle trail maintenance, improvement and creation.”
While snowmobiles and bicycles are prohibited, the Tulip Trail is a multi-purpose trail many can enjoy, which was evident during a late mid-November weekend as a healthy number of hikers and families journeyed the new terrain.
Hikers and horseback riders can pick up the trail by parking at the Affelder House, at 15139 Chillicothe Road, (limited parking) and walking seven-tenths of a mile along the Falls Trail and a portion of the Affelder Link Trail or starting at The Nature Center and walking about two and a half miles.
“The West Woods bridle trail expansion is another example of our commitment to provide quality trails and recreational opportunities to our residents,” Oros said.
“This tree and the other natural features along the trail will provide park naturalists with another opportunity to provide quality nature hikes.”
GPD’s in-house construction crew installed the trail, bridges and boardwalks. Design development was provided by park biologist Paul Pira and Chief Naturalist John Kolar, project planning by McCue and Dan McConnaughy, and Isaiah Shipman served as leader of construction oversight.
“The trail is absolutely beautiful,” Kolar said. “It passes through a variety of forest types, including young successional woods, mature forest and it also passes through an old pine tree plantation. These provide great habitat for wildlife including, white-tailed deer, red fox, barred owl and a variety of songbirds just to name a few.
Kolar said winter will be a great time to explore the trail.
“I would suspect that the pine plantation will be a great place to find wildlife such as songbirds and owls that are using the plantation as shelter during the winter,” Kolar said. “When snow is on the ground, searching for signs of wildlife such as tracks is a fun activity.”
Oros expressed thanks for FGP’s support and GOHC’s funding.
“The expansion of the trail system at The West Woods highlights our commitment to our residents and our conservation partners,” Oros said. “It’s a great trail system. We hope our Geauga residents are able to get out soon to check out this new trail.”
FGP and GOHC will be hosting a soft opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the trail at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Tulip Trail Head, off the Affelder Link Trail.
Kolar will be leading two hikes this winter to visit the tulip tree, which require registration due to limited parking. Visit GPD’s website for more information on specific dates and times.
