Volunteers are sought for re-creation of old landfill
Soon the lush, natural setting of the former Holmes County Landfill will be turned into a new hiking trail. Volunteers are needed for the upcoming revitalization work on the walking path.
When it comes to big projects, Desmond Tutu once said, “There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.”
When the Holmes County commissioners closed the Holmes County Landfill more than a decade ago, the first stage they committed to was closing down the facility.
Part two then became the equation — what to do with the land now?
The answer was to turn the land over to the park district and let that organization create a natural setting that would benefit the county in new ways.
The Holmes County Park District has taken its first bite, so to speak.
With over 250 acres, the old Holmes County Landfill Park property is a big project.
The Holmes County Park District acquired this property in September 2020 with assistance from the Ohio Public Works Clean Ohio Conservation Program. This means projects and project components are for the preservation, protection or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife. It is the responsibility of the Holmes County Park District to develop this property so it can be enjoyed by people and the natural environment.
In order to manage this property, the park district has hired Tekton Engineering to manage the land and develop trails that allow public use with minimal impact to the environment. Jason Biltz, civil engineer for Tekton, has taken the lead on this project and is excited about the opportunities.
“There are lots of plans for the property including mountain bike trails and horseback riding trails, but we have to start with something easy to allow the public to begin enjoying this park,” Jen Halverson of the Holmes County Park District said.
It was decided the best way to get the park open was to install a 1 1/2 mile foot path around the top portion of the property.
Biltz said of the project, “The foot path is relatively flat and traverses around the top side of the property. It is nice scenery that goes in and out of woods, prairie and has some lookout places.”
Halverson said a project like this does not get done without a lot of volunteers and coordination.
“Workdays have been scheduled and an outline of work to be completed has been composed, and now we are looking for volunteers to help us get this trail developed,” she said. “As people can see from the scope of work, there is plenty of work for everyone, no matter what your skill level. The important thing is to dress warmly and bring work gloves if that is the only equipment you have.”
The goal of the project is to create a Class 3 trail, which is a path of 12- to 24-inch width with a cleared corridor of 4- to 5-foot width and 8-foot height.
The goal is to create a walking path that enhances the public’s ability to explore nature at its finest and to increase wildlife habitat by utilizing cut brush to build brush piles for small mammals and birds.
There are several challenges that need to be met by volunteer crews in preparing the land. The scope of work is as follows:
—Project A is cutting and spraying autumn olives and cutting tall grass and weeds.
—Project B includes removing autumn olives and black locusts that need cut away from the proposed trail, as well as removing some grapevines.
—Project C is repairing a drainage ditch that will require the creation of a crossing area for the path.
—Project D is a forest of autumn olives, with the initial goal set to establish a walkway through it.
—Project E, F and G will be similar to Project D.
—Project H will include work on a drainage ditch that channels downstream from the southeastern leachate pond where there is bank erosion approximately 100 feet from the pond outlet. The hope is to stabilize the area that will allow for vegetation growth.
Tools needed for the work to progress will include weed eaters, loppers, chainsaws, gloves, shovels, pick axes, 5-gallon buckets and spud bars. All of those and a healthy dose of ambition should give the park district a nice head start on this project.
“We are hoping to make the best of these workdays, so we have Melissa Biltz helping with those efforts by coordinating the volunteer workforce,” Halverson said. “She will make sure there is plenty of hot beverages and soup to keep everyone warm.”
There are several ways volunteers can let the park district know they can help, and organizations, families and clubs are invited to join in this critical service project that will greatly enhance the Holmes County landscape.
The first way is to fill out the Google form located on the Holmes County Old Landfill Project Facebook page. Volunteers also can call or text Melissa Biltz at 330-231-6175 or call or email Holmes County Park District at 330-674-3353 and holmesparkdistrict@gmail.com.
Available scheduled workdays include Monday, Nov. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 20 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 4 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Friday, Dec. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.