The village of West Liberty is actively working towards implementing a community green space on the west side of town in the area of the bike path.
Councilwomen Jayne Griffith and Jill McKelvey presented before the full Logan County Logan County Land Trust board during an annual meeting to seek out assistance from the county land trust to help secure grant funding to build a destination for bikers, walkers and hikers to stop off at the village and discover the local shops and restaurants.
Desired amenities include bike service and a shelter, according to notes from the land trust board’s annual meeting, which was conducted at the community room inside the Logan County Solid Waste District prior to statewide coronovirus procedures.
Logan County Land Trust board members will further explore applications for community grants that would establish green spaces featuring trees, prairie grasses and therapeutic plantings.
Additional possibilities include building a shelter from re-claimed lumber and/or re-locating a small, historical building in the county using Landmark Preservation grant funds, along with involvement from various community groups and partners.
Nearly two dozen local stakeholders and board members attended the meeting, that also featured a keynote speech from David Miren, with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Miren is the executive director overseeing Ohio’s new hemp program, which is being facilitated by the ODA. The ODA hemp program is an office of four people, currently fielding some 100 calls per day from prospective growers, Miren said, adding that there has been strong interest in growing hemp in Ohio.
Bob Stoll reviewed the past year’s accomplishment by the Logan County Land Trust. As of this spring, a total of 2,916 acres are preserved with an additional 680 acres in the application process, with closings expected within two years.
Logan County Land Trust estimates it has helped local land owners bring over $3 million into the local economy with another $1.2 million additional funds after closings.
Also recognized during the meeting was the Antram Family Farm, which has been awarded the title of Century Farm, Commissioner Joe Antram said.