Legacy Point Park officially open as newest Holmes destination
The viewing station located at the top of Stairway to Heaven at Legacy Point Park is one of the highest points in Holmes County. The park officially opened to the public June 5.
On the evening of June 5, the Holmes County Park District officially cut the ribbon and opened Legacy Point Park to the public.
The event brings an opportunity for residents of Holmes County and visitors alike.
“When I think of the word legacy, I think about what did my grandparents leave me? What has this community given to me? What can I pass along to my own children and to this community? And that is exactly what we hope to do here,” said Jen Halverson, Holmes County Park District executive director. “We hope to take this property that could have been something ugly and turn it into something that we are going to love for generations to come.”
Halverson said it has been a labor of love for all who have been instrumental in making the dream of a new park come to fruition.
The new park includes several walking trails including Locust Loop Trail, 1 1/2 miles of primitive natural woodland trail; Shale Pack Trail, which traverses around the base of cap, which is the highest point of the park; and Stairway to Heaven, the crowning achievement of the park, which takes people right to the top of the cap where a panoramic view awaits.
“It’s a great view from what I believe is one of the highest points in Holmes County,” Halverson said.
Halverson went on to talk about the various people and organizations that paved the way for the park including the Holmes County Park District’s board, Ohio Public Works Commission providing funding, Ohio EPA, the Holmes County Health District, volunteer coordinator Melissa Biltz, Holmes County Chamber and Holmes County Commissioners.
“They had the vision 15 or 20 years ago when they had the conversation about what to do with this landfill, and we’re grateful they had the vision to close this the right way, in a way that we were able to turn it into something else our community can enjoy,” Halverson said.
Commissioner Dave Hall spoke on behalf of the commissioners, noting that in his initial foray into being a commissioner, the site was filled with tons of trash. Seeing it now is special.
“This is a generational place,” Hall said. “(The commissioners) had the vision to work with the park district to get this done. Ecotourism is a huge thing, and this is only going to make our county stronger.”
Biltz talked about various ways people can continue to volunteer and how those who have volunteered blazed a new trail. She said six groups have taken on the “adopt-a-trail” effort to keep the park groomed.
“We had over 650 hours of volunteer time, and I know it’s actually a lot more than that,” she said.
Biltz said there is a container in the parking lot where people can place their name and number to volunteer or donate.
The map at the main parking lot provides a more detailed look at how to volunteer and a layout of the new park.
For Jason Biltz of Tekton Engineering, project manager, this moment has been a long time coming.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for years,” he said. “We thought we were ready for this last year, but we had to do a final check with the EPA to nail it all down.”
He said having Ohio EPA in their corner helped them create this final product that will benefit many and allow people to trek to the top of the park’s highest peak.
“That is the main draw of the park,” he said. “Get people up there and see that view.”
He said future details include opening up more of the property. He said the long-term vision is to create equestrian and mountain biking trails and more walking and hiking trails.
“It’s a commitment, and it takes time,” Jason Biltz said.
Legacy Point Park will now be open daily from dawn to dusk, and according to Halverson, the park district will create some special evening sessions at opportune times for star gazers and other heavenly events.
Jason Biltz said turning what once was a giant landfill into a stunning natural park has been exhilarating, and Holmes County will benefit from the effort.
“To have a voice in how this property gets established and was created is incredible,” he said. “It’s still somewhat of an open canvas.”
Tiffany Gerber, Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, said this dedication begins an exciting addition to Holmes County, both for tourism and as a place where locals can relax.
“This aligns perfectly with the timing, and in the coming year, we want to adapt some of our marketing to bird enthusiasts,” Gerber said. “It’s a growing market. With the tourism hat, this only adds to our recreation. People know us for Amish Country, so any additional attraction we can put in place widens our supply of tourism experiences.”
She said from a chamber aspect, this adds to the quality of life for Holmes County residents because it provides a beautiful and relaxing outdoors destination, noting outdoor recreation also is a fabulous recruiting tool for people looking to live and work in the county.
Like that, Legacy Point Park is now open and adds to the growing number of outdoor adventure areas developing in Holmes County.