Spring Valley Nature Preserve: Difference between revisions
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== History == |
== History == |
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From 1843 up to 1880, the Spring Valley property belonged to Richard George who took advantage of the closeness to the Salt Run Area. Around the 20th century, Willis Chamberlin bought Spring Valley along with A.P. Nichol, who in 1929 became the sole owner. After a few months, it was purchased by E. C. Roberts who later on in 1933 hired a contractor tasked with building a community swimming pool, operating until 2004—almost 70 years after it had first opened. In 2005, the pool land was up for sale. A year later, the Licking Land Trust <ref name=":2" /> (members of the Roberts family and their business interests, along with the Trust, [[Denison University]], [[Park National Bank (Ohio)|Park National Bank]], the Granville Township Trustees, and the [[Ohio|State of Ohio]] through its [https://wrlandconservancy.org/tag/clean-ohio-green-space-conservation-fund-grant/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MG5BhD1ARIsAEcZtwSBveao0j_hwz6de0QsSIVPGH8Qxg9j9BfgyhZH7rjnniUQKQD3EnEaAsE1EALw_wcB Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program]) showed interest in the place. It was sold to them a year later. Since then Granville Recreation District has managed it, sharing the vision of preserving the place and its natural design. |
From 1843 up to 1880, the Spring Valley property belonged to Richard George who took advantage of the closeness to the Salt Run Area. Around the 20th century, Willis Chamberlin bought Spring Valley along with A.P. Nichol, who in 1929 became the sole owner. After a few months, it was purchased by E. C. Roberts who later on in 1933 hired a contractor tasked with building a community swimming pool, operating until 2004—almost 70 years after it had first opened. In 2005, the pool land was up for sale. A year later, the Licking Land Trust <ref name=":2" /> (members of the Roberts family and their business interests, along with the Trust, [[Denison University]], [[Park National Bank (Ohio)|Park National Bank]], the [https://www.granvilletownship.org/ Granville Township] Trustees, and the [[Ohio|State of Ohio]] through its [https://wrlandconservancy.org/tag/clean-ohio-green-space-conservation-fund-grant/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MG5BhD1ARIsAEcZtwSBveao0j_hwz6de0QsSIVPGH8Qxg9j9BfgyhZH7rjnniUQKQD3EnEaAsE1EALw_wcB Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program]) showed interest in the place. It was sold to them a year later. Since then Granville Recreation District has managed it, sharing the vision of preserving the place and its natural design. |
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=== Preservation === |
=== Preservation === |
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Revision as of 21:19, 10 November 2024
Spring Valley Nature Preserve is a Nature Reserve located on Columbus Road, Granville, consisting of 45 acres.[1] Before becoming a Nature Preserve, it was a pool that was closed and offered for sale. For it to become a Nature Preserve, it had to undergo certain governmental procedures. For an area to be called a Natural Preserve there needs to be an agreement between the land owner, the Natural Resource Commission (a public body appointed by the governor), and the Department of Natural Resources.[2]
The Nature Preserve aids the community in broadening its understanding of the place’s historical heritage. Previously a swimming pool, it has now become a nature center for recreational activities such as hiking and bird watching.[3]
History
From 1843 up to 1880, the Spring Valley property belonged to Richard George who took advantage of the closeness to the Salt Run Area. Around the 20th century, Willis Chamberlin bought Spring Valley along with A.P. Nichol, who in 1929 became the sole owner. After a few months, it was purchased by E. C. Roberts who later on in 1933 hired a contractor tasked with building a community swimming pool, operating until 2004—almost 70 years after it had first opened. In 2005, the pool land was up for sale. A year later, the Licking Land Trust [3] (members of the Roberts family and their business interests, along with the Trust, Denison University, Park National Bank, the Granville Township Trustees, and the State of Ohio through its Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program) showed interest in the place. It was sold to them a year later. Since then Granville Recreation District has managed it, sharing the vision of preserving the place and its natural design.
Preservation
The Licking Land Trust ensures constant protection of the area (such as its nature and history). This is achieved through regulation of the public, particularly regarding the type of recreation permitted within Nature Preserves.[3]
Geology and geography
Spring Valley’s terrain largely consists of two different kinds of landscapes. Salt Run [4] is mostly wooded with maple trees, glaciers’ soil, and stratified rocks. These structures help shed light on Flowerpot Hill—a large sandstone land formation sloped on both sides. The valley includes a variety of permutations and combinations of these landscapes—additionally, Spring Valley shares Ohio’s geology[5] characterized by large coal swamps and a few high hills.
Osage orange trees or hedge- apple trees as they are often called, line the area.[6] With their main characteristic trunk and two branches that total to a length of about 3.5 miles. This stream has a lot of strength considering how it single handedly created this valley and [6] some of them are over 150 years old.
Current situation
Making an outdoor pool again
The Columbus Dispatch conducted a poll in 2012 asking people in Granville if they felt the need for an aquatic center. Fifty-two percent of the 1200 polled supported the idea.[7] The district has been looking at public interest for the past two years deciding whether or not to build a swimming center. The results of the poll show that the community is in favor of making an outdoor pool again after the shut down of the Spring Valley Pool in 2004.
Concerns
While the feedback from the community might be in support of an outdoor pool, there are still present concerns that act as an obstacle to building one. The location in which it would be built is a primary one. Officials are still looking for a suitable area to construct the aquatic center.[7]
Activities and amenities
Spring Valley Nature Preserve has a passive recreation system for people to enjoy during their visits. A passive recreation system[8] supports activities that have minimum impact on the environment.[3] This type of recreation has the intention to support all the natural resources of the place, promoting activities such as hiking in nature trails, bird watching, and frisbee golf.
Spring Valley Natural Preserve has two major trails one being Spring Valley Extended Loop, which includes attractions along the way and connects to the other trails — Flower Pot, Song Bird Valley, Sugar Maple, and Roberts Ridge Trails [9]—each trail has its own attraction. Song Bird is known for its steepness and wind flow as you hike your way up. Flower Pot trail is easier to traverse with some downed trees along the way. Robert’s Ridge is one of the main trails to follow because it connects with the rest of the trails. Recognizing this trail is easy since it starts near a private tennis court then connects with most of all the trails and finally leads downhill at the end of the hike.
There are 12 amenities found in Spring Valley Nature Preserve. Most are in different elevations, but all are abundant in shady trails. These include a Shelter House with the capacity to host 60 people (including a fireplace, electricity, and a picnic table) and portable restrooms. Some of the restrictions include pets only being allowed if they are leashed throughout the trip and alcohol only being permitted within private events according to the GRD Alcohol Policy.[1]
Special Feature
Spring Valley Park Reserve offers the option to support the preservation of the park, through purchasing a bench or a tree.
References
- ^ a b "Spring Valley | Granville Recreation District". www.granvillerec.org. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ Preserves, Nature (2021-03-26). "About Nature Preserves". Nature Preserves. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ a b c d "Property Descriptions". Licking Land Trust. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ "Salt Run Park". Explore Licking County. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ "Geology of Ohio", Wikipedia, 2024-07-14, retrieved 2024-11-09
- ^ a b M. Mickelson, Andrew (May 2005). "Observations on the Natural and Cultural Resources of the Spring Valley". THE HISTORICAL TIMES.
- ^ a b Dispatch, Lori Kurtzman, The Columbus. "Granville pool on ballot". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Recreation", Wikipedia, 2024-07-18, retrieved 2024-11-09
- ^ Wilfredadesigns (2020-04-11). "Spring Valley Nature Preserve". ExploreOhioOutdoors. Retrieved 2024-10-30.