Featured Properties
In the spring of 2008, M/I Homes of Central Ohio and 131 River Road LLC generously donated the 64.27 acres surrounding the Park Trails Subdivision to the Trust so that this property might be preserved as a natural area. The property is made up of 4 parcels of land; two parcels surround Vista Ct. and Highbanks Valley Ct., the third is to the north of Crestview Woods Ct, and the fourth is to the west/northwest of Greenwood Loop.
The Park Trails property held by the Trust is open to the public and visitors are encouraged to enjoy this natural area through passive recreation. While there are no maintained trails on the property, hiking is permissible and exploration is welcome! Many homes are adjacent to the property so please be respectful of our neighbors.
The Trust urges Park Trails residents to enjoy the property in the ways mentioned above, and also to help the Trust conserve the land by keeping it pristine with no clearing of greenery and no encroachment of any type. Since this property is a protected area, hunting, using motorized vehicles, harvesting firewood, littering, dumping, construction of any nature, and destruction of habitat is prohibited.
The Trust also urges area residents to become members of the Trust, to help conserve this property and others in Central Ohio. Families, individuals, and businesses may join the Trust online or by mail.
Raccoon Valley
The Raccoon Valley Greenway is an ongoing area of focus for the Trust. Its purpose is to create and preserve a woodland ribbon at least 150 feet on each side of Raccoon Creek to provide aquifer protection, wildlife habitat, erosion prevention, flood control, passive recreation and education experiences.
The Greenway began with property in Granville Township and is being extended to cover Raccoon Creek from Johnstown to Newark. The first step was to conduct a study aimed at identifying appropriate land use in the Raccoon Valley and to seek alternative ways to protect and preserve the land, its water, and its natural resources. The Trust published the Raccoon Valley Land Use Study. This study and the Greenway received enthusiastic approval by the Licking Park District, the Licking County Planning Commission, the Granville Village Council, and the Granville Township Trustees.
The Greenway started in a big way with the donation in 1991 of the Harnden Mill Pond Preserve. The Preserve is especially well located, with easy access by car from the end of Clouse Lane, and by bicycle, being about midway between the Granville and Newark entry points on the T.J. Evans Bikeway. It is southwest of the iron bridge crossing Raccoon Creek.
The Trust has subsequently acquired from Granville Township conservation easements to property within the Greenway, and expects to grow the Greenway through the aquisition, usually by donation, of additional conservation easements. Please contact the Trust if interested in discussing the benefits of placing a conservation easement on property within the Greenway.
Spring Valley and its Salt Run are tributary to Raccoon Creek and the Greenway. They have been saved from development. Spring Valley with its spring-fed pool and natural area was a favorite recreation area from 1933 to 2004. At that time, the pool was closed and the property was offered for sale. The proximity of major highways, the regional growth in population and traffic, the existing general business zoning on the property, and the likelihood of infrastructure access were factors that attracted development offers. In 2006, the Trust organized a conservation consortium. It included several 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. The LIcking Land Trust will ensure the long-term protection of the land as a natural area in the public interest by holding an in-perpetuity conservation easement.
Spring Valley
Spring Valley and its Salt Run are significant to Raccoon Creek and the Greenway. They have been saved from development. Spring Valley with its spring-fed pool and natural area was a favorite recreation area from 1933 to 2004. At that time, the pool was closed and the property was offered for sale. The proximity of major highways, the regional growth in population and traffic, the existing general business zoning on the property, and the likelihood of infrastructure access were factors that attracted development offers. In 2006, the Trust organized a conservation consortium including several 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. The Trust will ensure the long-term protection of the land as a natural area in the public interest by holding an in-perpetuity conservation easement. The Preserve is now open to the public for passive recreation.
What is Passive Recreation?
Passive recreation includes low impact activities such as hiking, bird watching and passing a Frisbee. Organized sports and other environmentally disruptive activities are not considered passive recreation.
What does Spring Valley have to Offer?
Spring Valley consists of 45 acres of property, including an open field and hiking trails. There are also two shelter houses which can be rented for events by calling the Granville Recreation District at 740-587-1976.