Ross County Park District Makes History with Opening of Herron-Downs Fen Nature Preserve

Article Presented By Ross Chillicothe Convention & Visitor’s Bureau…

The Herron-Downs Fen Nature Preserve’s Grand Opening was at noon on June 20th, and marks a historical achievement in Ross County.

Herron-Downs is a calcareous fen, a rare type of wetland. According to Myranda Vance, Executive Director of the Ross County Park District, the trail experience at this new nature preserve is designed to serve as an “outdoor classroom, helping people understand why protecting places like this isn’t optional – it’s essential.”

Scientists that have worked on the project believe that Herron-Downs may be the largest calcareous fen in the world. It is 174 acres along Kinnikinnick Creek and includes the 3.6 mile Sycamore Trail which leads past two very large sycamore trees for which the trail was named.

Work on the preserve is still being done to restore it to its natural wetland state. The park district’s long-term vision for the preserve includes a networked boardwalk and trial system with observation decks and an observation tower.

The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk and is located at 6397 OH-159, Chillicothe, OH 45601.

You can watch our interview with Myranda Vance here or at the link below.