Parks department begins log cabin restoration; completes walking path

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The first phase of restoration work is under way on an old cabin at Myeerah Nature Preserve. (BJRD PHOTO)

Several projects are underway at Myeerah Nature Preserve, including the first phase of
restoration to the log cabin there. That project, and many more, were discussed at the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District board of trustees meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

“They started the log replacement at the old cabin, and next they’ll put a new roof on it,” parks superintendent Kris Myers told the board. “We’re excited about it and thank the Logan County Land Trust for that.”

According to Bob Stoll with the Land Trust, the contractor is out at the cabin this week working on that first phase.

The department recently did another big push on invasives at Myeerah and Myers was “happy with how that process went.” In addition, the preserve has two uninhabitable old houses they submitted to be demolished through a grant and both were accepted for that.

In the projects-completed news, the parks department finally finished the new walking path at Blue Jacket Park. Though it was officially completed with sealer over a few rough spots on Nov. 5, it was ready for use in time for Ring of Lights on Saturday, Oct. 19.

“It was a beautiful night and it went well,” Myers said about the annual trick-or-treat event. “We had 20 different organizations participating, but next year we’ll have to tell people to bring more stuff because we ran out.”

Several times throughout the meeting the board considered the possibility of adding playground equipment more suitable for older children, specifically to parks like Ratleff and Myrtle.

The idea was presented by board member Joliece Reed at the beginning of the meeting. It came out of a question and answer time they call “Circles” in her seventh-grade class at Bellefontaine Middle School.

“Circles starts with lighthearted questions then goes to more serious ones,” Reed said. “One of those was what is something they’d like to change or see in the parks.”
Possible equipment included climbing and rope structures. The students also mentioned making ball fields at Ratleff more ADA accessible, adding “red brick dust,” and putting roofs back on the dugouts.