Park District keyed up to host H2OH ribbon cutting
The Holmes County Park District will host a ribbon cutting for its upcoming H2OH Project near the Walmart entrance to Holmes County Rails to Trails for the Killbuck Creek and Sand Run Wetland on April 22. The park district and area Scouts will then plant trees along the corridor.
The Holmes County Park District will host a ribbon cutting for its upcoming H2OH Project — the Killbuck Creek and Sand Run Wetland — on April 22. The property is located adjacent to the Holmes County Trail behind the Millersburg Walmart.
The ribbon cutting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be immediately followed by the Scouters of Holmes County annual Earth Day tree planting at the property at 6 p.m.
“We are excited for the opportunity to recognize our partners in the project including ODNR, Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Holmes County Engineer’s Office in conjunction with one of our great annual partnerships with the Scouters of Holmes County. This will also provide the opportunity to share with the community what is happening at this property to help continue to preserve the natural corridor of the Holmes County Trail while improving the wetlands and natural habitats,” Park District Director Jen Halverson said.
One of those partners, Karen Gotter at Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District, is thrilled to watch this type of growth take place.
“As we saw in recent weeks, the Killbuck Valley receives and holds significant amounts of water during springtime,” Gotter said. “The benefits of restoring flood plain wetlands such as in this project is that this wetland can be used as a tool to help hold these floodwaters. Just as importantly, properly functioning wetland systems will be absorbing water-borne sediments and nutrients, resulting in better water quality, which is the primary goal of the H2OH program.
“The added bonus with this project is the proximity to the Holmes County Trail, so a recreation and education component has meshed nicely with the environmental benefits. We hope the residents of Holmes County and visitors to the area will be able to enjoy the immersive experience of a wetland corridor that is not just an interesting or aesthetic site, but a working landscape that offers many benefits to our community.”