Village of Carrollton to Open New Park With Help of Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Western Reserve Land Conservancy is pleased to announce that a 13.7-acre property in the Village of Carrollton, Ohio will soon become Village Park Woods, a public park. Located on the northern side of State Route 39, adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Health Center of Carroll County and St. John’s Villa, the lush, forested acreage will be a natural escape for the community to connect with the outdoors.
The property was previously owned by The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, a nearby Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to social justice and human services. Its central location makes it ideal for public use, and long-term plans include establishing a trail system for visitors to explore the various habitats across the park. With approximately 675 linear feet of headwater streams that flow into Cold Spring Run-Indian Fork, a sub-watershed of the Muskingum River, as well as high-quality mature upland forest habitat, forested ravines, and a Category 3 wetland habitat, the property provides inherent natural value to the surrounding area, allowing native species to thrive.
“This project was the result of great partnerships from start to finish,” said Jacob Pries, southeast field director at the Land Conservancy. “From The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity to the Village of Carrollton; from the public to private funders. They were all more than willing to come together for the good of the community. Access to the high-quality forested area will pass along the inherent benefits that a walk in the woods can provide to so many generations.”
Additionally, Village Park Woods is adjacent to the 52-acre campus of St. John’s Villa. The nonprofit organization facilitates a residential development disabled community that helps members achieve and maintain the highest level of independence possible. Their grounds are already extensive, but Village Park Woods looks forward to additional opportunities for residents to explore outside of the St. John’s campus.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd for working with Western Reserve Land Conservancy to secure this property on behalf of the Village of Carrollton., said Kimberly Lewis, co-director of marketing and communications at St. John’s Villa. “The beautiful park space adjacent to St. John’s Villa will create a lasting legacy, where families, neighbors, and friends can gather, play, and find peace in nature. Your collective compassion continues to enrich our community in meaningful and enduring ways.”
The creation of Village Park Woods couldn’t have happened without the collaboration of the Village of Carrollton, who will own and manage the property long-term. The Land Conservancy secured funding from Clean Ohio in the Village’s name, and additional funding was secured through private donations and the Carroll County Foundation.
“The Village of Carrollton is ever so grateful to The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity for making the thirteen acres of property available to the Village to expand our existing park system. We are equally grateful to Western Reserve Land Conservancy for securing the financing of this project at zero cost to the Village,” shared Mark A. Wells, village administrator of the Village of Carrollton. “It is the vision of the Village of Carrollton that this Village Woods Park would be developed in the future to include walking trails and quiet space for our community to enjoy and relax. This project is another example of always being able to accomplish more together in collaboration with great organizations such as these.”