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Metro Parks presents concepts for Walnut Woods
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - July 19, 2010)
Metro Parks unveiled concepts for the development of the new Walnut Woods Metro Park at two recent open forums in Groveport and Canal Winchester.
Located between Lithopolis and Richardson roads, the 628 acre Walnut Woods will grow by another 246 acres with the pending acquisition of the Richardson Road Park from the city of Columbus, according to Metro Parks officials.
Proposed amenities for Walnut Woods include: six to 10 miles of bicycle paths and nature trails (with proposed connections to Groveport's Heritage Park, Groveport Park, and Groveport's nature trail at Rager Road), picnic areas, wetland restoration, nature observation areas, fishing dock, dog park, disc golf, canoe access, observation tower, reforestation, park entrances on Richardson Road and Lithopolis Road, and a wetland program area.
Three concepts for the park were presented for public feedback at the public open forums held on July 15 and 21.
According to Steve Studenmund, strategic planning & land acquisition manager for Metro Parks, a conceptual plan for the park will be created in August by combining the three proposals and by considering the public's comments. He said the plans are to open the park sometime in 2011.
Metro Parks purchased the Walnut Woods property in December 2008 and May 2010 with a total acquisition cost of $4.875 million, which purchased 628 acres.
Walnut Woods will be the fifth Metro Park in the Groveport, Canal Winchester, and Madison Township area. Others are: Three Creeks Metro Park, 1,156 acres; Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, 486 acres; Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, 1,261 acres; and Slate Run Metro Park, 1,714 acres.
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