This New Year, Geauga Park District is excited to deliver a gift to the residents of Geauga County – the purchase of 198 acres in Hambden Township. The new property is located just off Route 6 at the end of Bascom Road and is linked to the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s Hambden Orchard Wildlife Area, which consists of more than 800 ecologically important acres.
The purchase was finalized on December 8th. The 198 acres was purchased for just under $1.1 million dollars, which is a great deal for Geauga County taxpayers as it comes out to less than $5,600 per acre.
“The property has a long history of land conservation with the property being utilized as a family farm and sugar-bush for maple syrup production. The property is especially significant given its connection to land owned by Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Division of Wildlife. With the acquisition by the Park District to the north, plants and animals have a big block of land where they can thrive,” said John Oros, Executive Director of the Geauga Park District. “Because the land also comes without any deed restrictions, the almost 200 acres has great potential for public enjoyment as a future park. The first time I saw the large ponds with a beautiful forest in the background, I was excited for the opportunity for Geauga County residents to eventually access this property. Our goal for these lands is to make them more accessible to our county residents who love Nature and love parks. This acquisition is another step in realizing this goal.”
A variety of biologically important habitats and features exist on the property, according to a Natural Resource Management study conducted in the spring by park staff. These habitats harbor sensitive plants and animals. Natural beaver marshes are also found here. Forested uplands and wet forest covers about 112 acres of the property. The majority of what remains, 46 acres, are large meadows reverting back from their days as agriculture fields.
Small portions of two nice quality small streams begin on this property, which form the beginning headwaters for the upper Cuyahoga River watershed. Five man-made ponds make up another 6.5 acres.
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