VERMILLION TOWNSHIP — No more dreaming; time for action.
“That’s why you’re here today,” said Bob DeSanto to a group of people gathered in field near Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park recently. “We’re moving dirt.”
Bob DeSanto, an Ashland County Parks District commissioner, met with fellow outdoor enthusiasts and the McClure family on Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony on the Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center.
The center lived as a dream in David “Davy” McClure’s head for years. The beloved Ashland City Schools District bus driver and former parks commissioner had a penchant for the outdoors — and for spreading his appreciation of it to a younger generation.
When he died in 2020, the community coalesced around the education center idea and worked to make it happen. By December 2022, the parks district had raised more than half of the fundraising goal of $500,000.
As time went on, DeSanto said, material costs increased and the plans of the center changed. DeSanto said the center will cost around $750,000 to $800,000 all said and done.
“And enough is raised to get it built,” he said, adding the completion date is slated for fall.
Outdoor education
Christopher McClure, Davy’s son, said he was honored to see so many people take part in making his dad’s dream a reality.
“This nature center was dad’s dream and I know in the future it will pass the love of nature onto so many other children,” he said, his voice shaky.
The center will sit on a grassy knoll above the Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park (also referred to as TK Park), which is located along State Route 60.
The park will feature 80 acres of various landscapes, said Eric Schneider, director of the Ashland County Parks District. The property includes woodlands, a creek, wetlands, pollinator plants, a handicap-accessible pond and agriculture that park commissioners hope allows for soil conversation education.
“It’ll also have a stormwater wetland area,” Schneider said. “And long term, we’ve planned on putting in a paved loop trail connecting Byers Woods and TK Park.”
The project got shot in the arm when Jan and Bob Archer pledged $250,000 toward the building. It will feature a meeting space with Wi-Fi connection. Other amenities could include a fireplace, DeSanto said.
Jan Archer, 88, came to the ceremony on Tuesday. She said she’s been a fan of the local parks system for years.
“I grew up in the country,” she said. “And my parents were teachers — my dad, he loved the outdoors. That was his thing. So we’re happy to be able to contribute to this.”
She highlighted the fact that this property is centrally located within Ashland County — a perk that should make field trips for educators a breeze.
