More than $700,000 from the 2015 county parks levy has been invested to improve the diverse park, which includes a gorge, wetlands, 1800s log cabin, two mounds and an earthen enclosure built by Hopewell and Adena Indians, according to Greene County Parks & Trails.
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“With so much cultural history and geological features, it has been a hidden gem and it is right in our own backyard,” said GCP&T Director Jon Dobney.
Columbus-based EZ Done Construction is installing a bridge and overlook deck that will bring park visitors closer to the rushing waters of the Cedar Cliff Falls. The structures will connect with the trail system that links the park’s three areas: Cedar Cliff Falls, Peterson Park and Williamson Mound.
Previous work includes new covered picnic areas, restrooms, fencing, new bridges spanning Massie Creek, trail restoration and brush clearing for better viewing of the gorge.
An estimated 250,000 people visit the park each year. It contains a large grove of white arborvitae, a tree on Ohio’s protected species list, parks officials said.
Park ranger Chuck Frazier said the Williamson Indian Mound and the Hopewell Indian Pollock Works are believed to have been built around 2,000 years ago.
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“Indian Mound Reserve offers 166 acres of Ohio’s heritage and is the most diverse natural areas preserved by the park district,” he said. “Approximately 100 species of wildflowers can be found in the park, including the snow trillium. Massie Creek Gorge was created by the Wisconsin Glacier 12,000 years ago. Cedar Cliff Falls was originally built as a dam to harvest power for multiple mills.”
People can still see sections of round clay tiles and concrete structures that were part of the mill works.
A ribbon cutting to commemorate the project’s completion is planned at 1o a.m. May 22.
For more information, contact GCP&T at (937) 562-6440, info@gcparkstrails.com or visit www.gcparkstrails.com.
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