Reprinted from the Bath Township Quarterly.

 

 

Bath’s "Green" Trailhead

Bath Township has applied for the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association "Green Award" for the Bath Community Activity Center Trailhead. The improved trailhead with 35 parking spaces now accommodates the increased use of the North Fork Trail at the Bath Nature Preserve.

Based upon a creative "green" design, this trailhead uses environmentally-sensitive construction techniques. It includes two rain gardens, (one 38’x 24’collects 11,000 gallons of water and the other 74’ x 21’ collects 15,000 gallons of water) designed to capture two acres of storm water runoff and drainage from the parking and surrounding area allowing it to percolate and filter into the ground. Thus, the rain gardens alleviate problems associated with flooding and erosion and help recharge ground water supply and avoid increasing storm water runoff into Park Creek.

The trailhead has a wildflower buffer to prevent erosion on the slope adjoining Cleveland-Massillon Road. Park Creek riparian corridor restoration was implemented by using native trees, shrubs, woodland forbs, sedges/rushes and grasses. Low-maintenance plants were used to keep the time necessary for weeding, mulching, watering and maintenance to a minimum. A quarter of the parcel was planted as no-mow lawn that needs minimal maintenance.

The focal point was created with a twenty-foot, seven-ton sculpture of Chief Logan carved from a 200 year-old red oak tree. Included in the project is a kiosk that displays information on the trail, park, and the Heritage Corridors of Bath, an Ohio Scenic Byway. Also two free-standing educational guides provide information about the rain gardens and their importance, and the sculpture and the presence of Native American people within the area.

From the Fall 2008 issue of the Bath Township Quarterly.  Reprinted with permission of the Bath Township Quarterly.