A great place to escape that offers unique welded sculptures donated from the collection of the Hobart Welding Institute of Welding Community leaders; Mike Beamish, Mayor; John Wannemacher, Park Board President; Jerry Eldred, Executive Director of the Park District and Chris Manning of Human Nature in Cincinnati, the Architect for the project, highlighted the opening as they describe the historica
l, current and future plans of this amazing park. Other speakers included, William Hobart, Land Donor Representative; Peter Hobart, Welded Sculptures Representative, Sean Logan, Director of ODNR and Laurence Bicking Director for Ohio Public Works Commission. In 1997, members of the William Hobart, Peter Hobart, William Howell and Robert Bravo families gave a generous 80 acre donation of highly developable farmland, located in the heart of Troy, to the Park District. The families’ request was to have this tract of land reflect the spirit of the Ohio landscape for passive recreational and educational pursuits. In 1999 a master plan was created by Human Nature, Douglas Reed and Elizabeth Bravo-Benson. The plan is intended to celebrate the dialogue between the native and agrarian landscapes of Ohio, and it has been recognized with a national ASLA award and featured in several professional journals. Phase one of the preserve was directed toward the major earthworks, re-sculpting the natural drainage patterns and creating a lake with wetland edges and the first trail loop. Two grants made this first phase possible, one from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the other from the Land & Water Conservation Fund. 1,700 native trees and shrubs were planted along the new headwater streams and around the lake. Many of these were made possible through the Park District’s "One Tree at a Time" campaign, which encourages the public to buy trees in recognition of special people or organizations in their lives. The master plan calls for planting a total of over 10,000 trees, so there are many more opportunities. Phase two of the preserve involved the entry drive, parking area, entry sign and wall. The main entry, off of Dorset Road, brings visitors into the preserve via a country lane experience that is flanked by Oak trees and waving prairie. The corten steel sign and gate, as well as the glacial boulder wall, help feature a unique mix of old and new. The steel also creates a visual linkage to some unique features in the preserve, four welded steel modernist sculptures that were donated from the collection of the Hobart Welding Institute. These sculptures are placed in four distinct habitats to highlight the relationship between nature and art. In harmony with the restored natural setting, land management is geared toward promoting a diversity of plant and animal life, providing a unique respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, where visitors can be replenished and inspired by activities such as bird-watching, leisurely walks, and observing the seasonal changes of the landscape. Continual development of the preserve are in the planning stages, adding interpretive signage, two trail loops, native plantings, educational and art opportunities to a new preserve just beginning to blossom.
