Vinton County Park District OK’d For Over $900,000 Clean Ohio Fund

Presented By Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

(McArthur) – A grant application by the Vinton County Park District to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund requesting $991,614 for the acquisition of two new park properties was approved March 31, 2022.  Clean Ohio will fund 71.2% of the total $1,391,835 project cost, while the remaining 28.8% is comprised of local match including an environmental assessment, timber value, and in-kind labor.

“The Vinton County Park District is thrilled to be awarded funding for the acquisition of its first park properties.  Not only will these projects protect wetlands, wildlife, and historic structures, they will provide recreational and educational opportunities that will stimulate tourism and economic growth closer to our county’s villages,” said Caleb Appleman, Acting Director of the Vinton County Park District.

The two properties being acquired include 158 acres south of McArthur where the McArthur Brick Company once operated and 84 acres on Lake Road.  The McArthur Brick Co. Historic Preserve will partially serve as an urban park, providing outdoor recreation opportunities for McArthur residents, in addition to protecting wetlands and surviving remnants of the brick plant.  Interpretive signage, trails, and benches will be installed for guests to enjoy.  The cabin located at the property’s entrance will become the Park District Headquarters office, with a permanent sign to built along State Route 93.

The park district is seeking photos, stories, and information on the brick plant’s operations to use in crafting a history of the property and interpretive signage.  Anyone wishing to share can email marketingdirector@vintoncounty.com or call 740-596-5033.

The Lake Road property, known as Treebeard’s Retreat, looks and feels like a miniature state park.  It features rolling hills covered in mature forest, with a 3.6-acre lake and shelter house.  Two cabins will be utilized for park district operations, while campsites and relaxation structures will be enjoyed by guests.

The park district plans to open Treebeard’s Retreat this fall, while the McArthur Brick Co. Historic Preserve will be opening in 2023 after invasive plant removal and mining remediation activities have been completed that will make the property safe for public enjoyment. Treebeard’s Retreat, on the other hand, has been used as a private vacation property for over four decades.  With existing trails and amenities, it will require little work to transition into public use.

The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund is a state program through the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) that awards funds to preserve open spaces, sensitive ecological areas, and stream corridors. Second-round funding awards totaled $4,282,778 for projects located in Adams, Fayette, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton Counties.  The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC), the Ohio Public Works Commission, and the Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) work together to facilitate distribution of the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund in District 15 in the following southern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.