Trending
LISBON -- A grant awarded to the Columbiana County Park District will be used by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to purchase stone quarry land with cliffs near the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail in Lisbon.
The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) announced the awarding of grants Monday for 37 conservation projects which will benefit communities in 26 counties through the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program, including one in the name of the park district for $270,966 for Kerestes Cliffs.
When contacted about the grant award, county Park District Board Chairman Eileen Dray-Bardon said the Western Reserve Land Conservancy had been working on the purchase deal and requested the park district sign the grant application, with the understanding that the park district won't have to put any money towards the local match. The land conservancy asked the park district to take control of the property once it's purchased.
"We think it's going to be a really nice addition to the county park system," she said Monday.
She explained that the grant covers 75 percent of the cost, with a required match of 25 percent, which she said the land conservancy is raising. She estimated the amount to be raised as $90,000. The land conservancy has been working in the county seeking donations toward the cost.
Dray-Bardon talked to Lisbon Village Council last fall about the land purchase, explaining the land is owned by Maureen Kerestes, who's working on an agreement with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to buy the 29 acres which is adjacent to Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail near Logtown Road and Camp McKinley and stretches to Thomas Road.
During the presentation, she noted the project had support from the Ohio Climbers Association, detailing how much use the area gets from climbers. She also talked about the history of the quarry, how it's believed the stone for the Old Stone House in Lisbon was quarried there, along with stones for the Columbiana County Courthouse.
At the time, she said the park district hoped to work with the Lisbon Historical Society on signage explaining the historical significance of the stone quarry.
According to a press release about the grants, "the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program is dedicated to environmental conservation including acquisition of green space and protection of rivers and streams."
Grant recipients agree to maintain the properties in perpetuity so they can persist for future generations, the press release said. Projects were vetted by the state's 19 regional natural resource assistance councils. "These projects are critical for protection of Ohio's natural resources, biodiversity, and habitats," OPWC Director Linda Bailiff said in the press release. "It's a great time of year to get out and explore the many parks and preserves throughout our great state."
In Mahoning County, the Mill Creek Metroparks was granted $150,000 for Wildlife Sanctuary Expansion Improvements.