101711 Park trails to be named after Noble/Buehler families
By Sharon Haught
October 11, 2011
482
Summary: Two trails at the soon to be opened Oak Hill Park will be named in honor of a pair of Wooster couples whose donations helped make the park a reality.
With the official dedication ceremony for Oak Hill Park just days away, the members of Wooster City Council voted unanimously to name the two trails that wind their way through the latest addition to Woosters park system in honor of a pair of couples who were instrumental in moving the ambitious project forward - Don and Alice Noble and Gene and Joan Buehler.
According to Wooster City Council Representative Barb Knapic the 1.7 mile long main trail that loops through the park will be named the Don and Alice Noble Trail in memory of the late Don and Alice Noble while the quarter mile handicapped accessible trail will be named the Gene and Joan Buehler Trail in memory of the late Gene Buehler and in honor of his widow, Joan Buehler.
Both the Noble and Buehler families played an integral role in the development of the 100 acre parcel of pristine farmland along Oak Hill Road on Woosters north end near Wooster High School into a non-traditional park.
In the mid 2000s the Donald and Alice Noble Foundation purchased the property on the crest of Oak Hill to preserve it from further residential development. In 2010 the property was purchased from the Noble Foundation by the city using a $500,000 Ohio Public Works Commission Clean Ohio grant. The Noble Foundation, in turn, donated the proceeds from the sale to the Wayne County Community Foundation to establish the Oak Hill Park Fund, funds from which were designated specifically for the design, construction and maintenance of the park.
In 2010 Joan and Gene Buehler joined the Noble family in supporting the project by stepping forward with a donation to cover the costs of a half mile long handicapped accessible walking trail.
Councilman David Silvestri noted that it was a fitting tribute to both couples for the city to name the trails after those who were most involved and have donated the resources to make that possible adding its always great when we can give credit where credit is due and I think thats what this does.
Ive often said we are so incredibly blessed and fortunate to have such generous people in our community and this is evidence of that generosity, said Knapic.
These are two couples that would never presume or ask or even want to have their names on something. They are such humble and generous donators to the community. Im glad that we can at least express our thanks to them for their generosity by naming these trails after them, said Knapic adding hopefully many in the future will remember what wonderful things both the Buehlers and the Nobles did for the City of Wooster.
I dont know that there would be a better choice, said Councilman Mark Cavin adding it is a very nice gesture on the part of the city to aptly name the parks trails. It couldnt happen to nicer people.
Councilman Jon Ulbright congratulated the city and the community on the decision to move forward with the park despite the difficult economic conditions.
In the midst of so called bad economic times people may question our taking on this responsibility. But we have to remember that the community pitched in and these folks pitched in, said Ulbright.
Calling the park a wonderful addition to our city Ulbright noted that naming the trails after these two couples is very appropriate as they were both major contributor(s) to our city in spirit.
The official dedication of the trails and a pavilion constructed through a $50,000 donation from the Wooster Rotary Club will occur during ribbon cutting ceremonies at the park on Oct. 15.
