The Portage Park District is holding a dedication event for its newest park property, a donation by Virginia Shaw, on the Winter Solstice, December 21 at 2 pm.
The 145-acre property located on Beery Road in Ravenna Township includes diverse habitats with high quality forests and wetlands through which the West Branch of the Mahoning River runs.
Mrs. Shaw’s donation comes with the stipulation that the park district continue to manage the bridle trails which she had developed, as well as continue the Forest Stewardship Plan which allows for sustainable harvesting of timber.
“It’s a beautiful property, with scenic views of the river corridor, mature trees and opportunities for a variety of recreational and educational uses”, said Allan Orashan, President of the Board of Commissioners of the Park District. “We’re very pleased and grateful for her generous donation to the public that conserves this property forever”.
Mrs. Shaw’s desire to promote the understanding of sustainable land stewardship on public and private lands, which can also provide a source of income, led to the naming of the property as “Shaw Woods Working Lands Park”. The property adjoins the 74-acre Jennings Woods, owned and managed by Kent State University as a land laboratory.
“During the past sixteen years these woods and trails have given me and many others much joy, tranquility and exercise. Folks quickly discover how beautiful the waterways and trees are in all seasons. We’re lucky to have such a secluded slice of nature so close to the heart of our county.” says Shaw.
Hikers, birders, photographers, and neighbors visit frequently. Horseback riders especially like the trails. And of course there’s the wildlife-some permanent residents, many just passing through.
“When my husband, Doug, and I bought the land in 1998, we did it with the intention of donating it to the Park District. After his death, the process of exploring the property and improving bridle paths was a constructive, upbeat challenge for me. But now the time has come to make the donation, knowing that the Park District will protect the land and make it available to a wider circle of people.”
Mrs. Shaw, a Park District Commissioner from 1995-1998, wanted to wait until the Park District passed a levy to ensure that it had the resources to properly manage the property before the donation was made; the voters of Portage County approved the Park District’s first ever levy in May of this year.
The public is welcome to attend the dedication event and guided hike located at the property, 7075 Beery Road, Ravenna.
The property will be open only for special guided hikes until it is ready to be open to the public on a daily basis in 2015. For more information about the Park District, call 330-297-7728, or visit the Portage Parks Website.
