Carey volunteers, local funds see new park to completion

CAREY — Carey's newest park is official. A dedication and open house were held in late July at Elm Hill Nature's Edge, which features a gazebo, large sculpture and dog park. The seven-acre nature area on the eastern edge of Carey also includes more than 100 trees, native prairie grasslands and wildflowers. Fruit trees will be planted in the fall. "We had a productive spring and summer," said Steve Yeater, a volunteer at The Carey Link. The nonprofit group, dedicated to building a stronger, more resilient community, took the lead on the project. "It went so long without anything," Dean Kessler said. "I mean, we kind of put in some trees and put in the wildflower area, and you would come out here and think, 'well, we've got a lot of ground to cover yet then.' But I guess then the dog park went in and the parking lot went in and the gazebo went up and the sculpture went in. And then it was like, 'yeah, I guess we did just start this spring and got a lot done.'" The park has been a longtime coming, according to Link participants who said the idea dates back to 2018 when a "Wild About Carey" brainstorming discussion was held. "The point of it was supposed to be kind of what does Carey need? What is Carey lacking? What can we do to improve Carey?" Kessler said. His wife Nancy Kessler said one of the suggestions made was to create areas with native grass and wildflowers. The village proposed an area between Glenn Avenue and South Vance Street, but it wasn't an ideal location due to the fact that the site had been an old railroad bed and had uneven ground and ditches, the volunteers said. The site that was ultimately chosen had been the previous location of two polishing ponds that were used in the village's wastewater treatment process. When the state of Ohio required that the village build a new sewage treatment facility, the ponds were no longer needed, Kessler said. Volunteers approached village council about using the land for a park-type area and council agreed. Things began falling into place. The Wyandot County Community Foundation awarded the project $3,000 to help with development. Then volunteers learned that the village budgets money for its parks. Council said the village would stone the parking lot and put up fencing at the dog park. Nancy said that freed up funds for planting just over three acres of native grasslands and putting down a cement pad for the gazebo. The Link also received a grant from the Ohio Arts Council that was used to add a sculpture at the park. The piece, titled "Tree of Hope," was created by Findlay resident Jamie Stephenson and is made from scrap metal, car parts and even spoons and forks. The park also has a historical connection, having earned its name because Township Highway 98 where it's situated was often referred to as Elm Hill Road. An area south of the park was a popular picnic destination by Tymochtee Creek. "I don't know a lot of the details except that people liked to take their horse and buggies out there and have Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon picnics," Kessler said. The "Nature's Edge" verbiage was added because the park is a place where people can learn about and be closer to nature — just at the edge of town. "I think for some people, it's kind of turning your head around with what a park is because there are not basketball courts, there are not swings. This is just supposed to be kind of a nature area," Kessler said. Elm Hill Nature's Edge is part of the Carey park system. Volunteers said a variety of trees were planted in the spring, ranging from poplar and spruce to cottonwood and giant sequoia. In the fall, about 125 fruit trees will be added to create an orchard, at the suggestion of Jean Cossey, another member of The Link. Kessler said the Carey VFW and American Legion and their auxiliary groups donated funds to pay for the veterans memorial pavilion which is named "The Carey Vietnam Veterans Gazebo," while the park sign was created by Art Connections. Operated by Angeline School and industries in Upper Sandusky, the studio and gallery in Carey provides an outlet for individuals with developmental disabilities to use their creative talents. Other community members have also offered their help, including Jamie Frazier and the late Mike Thompson who aided in planning the 90-by-100-foot dog park; and members of the Carey High School FFA who will help plant trees and may build picnic tables and benches. An educational component to provide information about the different species of trees and plants and a small bridge may also be added in the future. "We took care of all the manmade structures and now we just have to wait for nature to do its part," said volunteer Caitlin Reinhart. Other volunteers of the Link who have helped with the park include Emily Arredondo, Ted Reinhart, Ryan Kremer, Chris and Brenna Lofquist and Dean Orians. Donations are still being accepted and should be made to The Carey Link, 112 E. Findlay St., Carey, Ohio, 43316, and designated for Elm Hill Nature's Edge.